Hamilton bylaw issues eviction notices for city hall encampment
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- An encampment of protestors at Hamilton City Hall say they’re staying put after city bylaw handed out eviction notices, effective Monday night.
This comes ahead of a major city council vote on another housing issue, whether the city will turn parking lots into housing in Stoney Creek.
It was just before 11 a.m. Monday when bylaw officers handed the notices out to most of the people living in the tents in front of city hall.
“We will lock arms and we will not go anywhere, there will be more signs than ever too, so come midnight, we’ll still be here,” Angela Vos said.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says she met with Vos last week to discuss the homelessness crisis and council’s goal to address it.
“I knew I heard of concerns about the size of the encampments and something was eventually going to happen at some point,” Horwath said.
“It’s always our intention to provide options for those in need and that’s what we intend to do.”
The protest was sparked as a response over a failed motion to build affordable homes on a pair of Stoney Creek parking lots owned by the city- an agenda item that will be voted on again this Wednesday.
“I really don’t think this vote will change anything, and they want to get everybody out of here because they don’t want to see the outrage,” Vos said.
People at the encampment say they intend to stay even after the vote that’s slated to take place at city hall Wednesday, one where councillors will vote on a potential housing development in Stoney Creek.
However, Hamilton councillors will be presented with a slightly altered proposal of the lots at Lake Avenue South and Veterans Lane.
“It’s 36 spots in what used to be school board property, now owned by the city and its across the street, not being used as parking, and then there’s street parking, that’s currently loading zones, so that’s what the bulk of the changes are being proposed,” Ward 12 Councillor Craig Cassar said.
Cassar put forward the amendments that include unlocking parking south of the proposed development on Lake Avenue and prompt city staff to find other areas to lease to meet the original 57 parking spots available.
“I spoke with community members who had concerned with the original proposal, so I wanted to find accommodations, and I was able to identify these options, thanks to city staff as well for the help, because even they said yes, this is parking we could use,” Cassar said.
The earlier vote was defeated last month with an 8-and-8 tie vote.
While supporting Cassar’s changes, we asked Horwath if strong mayor powers will be used if the proposal is defeated again.
“As I’ve said before, I’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but I’m hopeful, keeping our fingers crossed, that this will be enough support to push this through,” Horwath said.
According to the notices given, bylaw enforcement has given the encampment until midnight Monday to leave.
I think its pretty sad that you need to "pull together support" in order get an affordable housing bill approved. like y'all got np building million dollar subdivisions no one can afford, but as soon as we ask for some affordable housing, all of a sudden everyone has a issue.
What about Barton Tiffany camp ? they were given notice for february -then it was extended 4 weeks to march 18 - Now well past the extended date nothing has changed at the Barton Tiffany camp - those of us living with this addict fest wait without relief or even call backs from the city - very violent crazed inhabitants either raving like a lunatic or shambling half collapsed to the ground - huge stinking fires often out of control amongst the ever growing garbage piles - addicts openly handling buying and using hard drugs without any repercussions from the law - loud music and the use of power tools and generators at all hours as they puff meth and build shacks with stolen lumber - so with all the trailers and motorhomes still at Barton Tiffany after being posted so long ago and so much past the final date why expect any legal action by Hamilton Bylaw to be worth its ink ?
I'm surprised they haven't set up tents in that parking lot they're so outraged over.
Issues Fines that can't be paid?
Arrest them so they have access to food and a warm place to sleep?
So threatening to those who have nothing.
Council logic you don't have to go to a home you don't have but you can't stay here.
Well if other countries are sending their ppl here can we send our ppl to them.?
Yeah, lets start with sending you there.
Time the city converts it's old abandoned dilapidated buildings that are just roting away into Tiny Home communities like other cities have done all over the world. They also need to beef up mental health & addiction support which sadly the Ford Government closed a lot of programs & services that were well needed.
Wondering what happend lasntight
Dont worry trudeau will bring 50,000 this year immigrants lo live in gore park
The homeless are all white
Lord Jesus help these people please 🙏
LTB should step in 😅