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Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Rents in Hamilton remain ‘well beyond the reach' of some tenants
Average rent for an apartment in Hamilton jumped slightly in April, but new tenants were still paying somewhat less than they would have for vacant units last spring. One-bedroom units cost new renters an average of $1,831 in April — the first monthly price increase of the year , according to a national rent report from property listing service . The average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment had held steady at $1,720 per month for January, February and March. The report noted the increase seen in April was 'consistent with typical seasonal trends,' as fewer tenants move over the winter. While the average asking rent has jumped by $111 compared to March, new tenants are still looking at paying roughly $9 less than they would have in April 2024, when that same kind of unit would have rented for $1,840. The average rent for a vacant two-bedroom unit in the city was $2,182 last month, $85 more than in March and $36 less than in March 2024, when the same type of unit cost $2,218. While rents remain much higher than those offered before the pandemic, the growth of rental rates in Hamilton stabilized over the last several months, matching trends in other cities across Canada, according to the report. Hamilton ranked 30th in rental costs among the 60 Canadian communities included in the report — a notable jump from 39th place in March. Rental rates in the city remain well below both the national and provincial averages, according to the report. Tom Cooper, director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, said while rents in the city are not the highest in the region, they remain 'well beyond the reach' of those living on fixed incomes such as Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). 'That's one of the reasons we've seen such an increase in homelessness in the city over the last few years,' Cooper said in an interview. 'People are being economically evicted simply because there aren't enough financial resources to pay market rents.' But even with asking rents stabilizing, Cooper noted residents are facing other financial pressures, such as the rising cost of groceries and other essentials — a situation made even more volatile with the ongoing trade war waged by the United States. 'It's making for an impossible situation,' said Cooper. 'People are going to be spending more on other items, so there is less leftover for housing, which only adds to those pressures.' During the past five years, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Hamilton has at times surpassed $1,900 per month, while the rent for a two-bedroom unit has reached heights of more than $2,300 per month. With rental rates having declined, Cooper said that could be a sign the local market has hit its ceiling on what tenants in the city are able and willing to pay — at least for now. 'Maybe we've reached that pinnacle for the time being,' said Cooper. 'But it doesn't mean those are sustainable situations, given the percentage of income people are paying toward housing.' April represented the seventh month in a row that the average rent across the country has dropped on an annual basis, with asking rates down nearly three per cent from April 2024. Meanwhile, national rental rates were up just slightly monthly, with growth of less than half a per cent from March, according to the report. Despite the slowdown in rent growth, average asking rents across Canada have grown by 28 per cent since pandemic lows seen in April 2021, noted the report. Four years ago, the average one-bedroom apartment in Hamilton rented for $1,405, while a two-bedroom unit went for $1,863 per month, according to a past report . Some neighbouring communities continue to outpace Hamilton when it comes to rental rates, while nearby cities are more affordable, according to the report. In Burlington, the average monthly rate of a one-bedroom apartment was $2,198 last month, while two-bedroom units cost $2,576. In Guelph, the average price of a one-bedroom apartment was $2,057 last month, while the rent for two-bedroom units was $2,383. Meanwhile, in London, a one-bedroom unit rented for an average of $1,751 and a two-bedroom apartment went for $2,155 per month. And in Brantford, the average price of a one-bedroom apartment was $1,781 last month, while the rent for a two-bedroom unit was $2,006. 's latest rankings, analyzed and written by residential real estate research firm Urbanation, are the average of all monthly listings from and . They include basement apartments, condos and units in single-detached homes.
Hamilton Spectator
10-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
People on the move as encampment clearing-operation hits Hamilton's rail trail
People living along Hamilton's rail trail scrambled to pack up their belongings Friday as police and city crews arrived to clear out camps nestled in the escarpment woods. Some said they'd planned to head east or to higher ground in the sloping terrain as officers urged them along after the city issued trespass notices earlier this week. A long stretch of the rail trail east of Wentworth stairs was closed to the public as parks staff hauled materials from vacated sites to trucks for disposal. Kristen Baker took down her tent and bundled up items as she prepared to move with her three dogs to another spot where she said officials wouldn't find her. The 50-year-old vowed not to part with Chief, Ellie and Cheyenne in order to stay in a shelter — where dogs aren't allowed. 'That's my emotional support,' said Baker, who relies on disability support payments to get by. 'I have a lot of mental issues.' The escarpment trail operation follows similar efforts this spring to clear tents from city parks . Starting March 6, the city resumed enforcement of Hamilton's parks bylaw, which bars tents in public spaces. As of April 30, a total of 163 encampments had been cleared, the city noted in its latest running tally. Hamilton's 2023 encampment protocol had allowed people to pitch tents in parks and other public spaces, subject to certain rules. But council has scrapped the policy amid mounting public complaints. The city has also boosted indoor shelter capacity by 192 beds, and opened another 80 spaces in mini-cabins with on-site staff and an array of services on land off Barton Street West. That project reached capacity last month. Hamilton's most recent 'point-in-time' count found 1,216 people were homeless in November 2024. A subset of those, 280, were found to be living outside. More recent data pegs the overall homeless population at roughly 1,600, with the unsheltered component fluctuating from season to season. Eliminating encampments from green spaces 'remains a top priority as we balance the needs and well-being of people living outdoors with the community's ability to enjoy public spaces safely,' the city said in an emailed statement Friday. The escarpment rail trail from the Wentworth to Kenilworth stairs in the east end will be closed Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews continue their work. As people vacate camps, debris left in parks, as well as a slew of items in the escarpment woods, has sparked calls for the city to clean up the mess. Just west of Wentworth, Robert Walker said he and his wife, Denise, kept their small camp neat and tidy. But within a few days of arriving, they received trespass notices. Walker said he and his wife, both 53 and on Ontario Works, want to stay together and not apart in gender-segregated shelters as they navigate their homelessness. 'I'm hoping to find somewhere they're not going to come bother us,' said Walker, their tent dismantled and belongings packed up on the ground. Both have also received $65 tickets from police working for the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway, whose trains traverse the city just north of the trail. 'That's been put kind of on the back-burner for now,' said a weary Walker, noting he was perplexed by the tickets, given they'd camped on a ridge separated from the tracks by the trail. Baker was likewise bewildered by the CPKC ticket she'd received, noting the location of her camp on the same side but farther east. 'I can't even see the tracks.' An officer initially handed her a ticket indicating a $615 fine — 'I was a little annoyed' — but then returned with a lower penalty of $65. In an emailed statement, a CPKC spokesperson said tickets 'were issued to multiple individuals for trespassing,' but didn't say how many or explain the reach of the railway's property. 'Fines can vary depending on the offences and violations. Trespassing on railway property is both dangerous and illegal.' Hamilton police and the city's bylaw division noted they haven't issued fines to people along the trail. The city communicates with the railway to determine enforcement jurisdiction based on camp locations, noted Dan Smith, acting director of licensing and bylaw services. The municipality issues trespass notices, but not fines, for encampments, given people don't have addresses, might not have identification or means to pay, Smith noted. Rather, the city aims for compliance after notices are issued and followup by police, who have more authority to remove people, he said. Like Walker and Baker, others living along the trail told The Spectator they'd avoided shelters because they didn't want to leave their partners or pets. Some also said that, while not allowed in shelters, drug use was still common and triggering for those trying to keep their addiction at bay. In recent years, Hamilton's shelter system has also struggled with capacity, although city officials say beds open up with daily turnover. Meanwhile, out-of-reach rent, evictions, relationship breakups and job loss were among the scenarios that sparked their homelessness, the trail residents said. One of them, Jean Parent , has set up camp with others at different spots along the trail for months on end. He and his friend have moved again after recently receiving notices. Parent, who awaits affordable housing, says the city should designate a spot where people can live in tents, rather than spending on encampment enforcement. 'You just have to have the land. People have the tents, they have the resources — they would gladly come.' Meanwhile, city councillors agree enforcement that chases people from one outdoor spot to another is problematic. Many have legitimate reasons for not staying in shelters, while spaces at the Barton mini-cabins site — which accommodates couples and pets — are limited, Coun. Cameron Kroetsch said. 'Where are people meant to go? We don't have housing for them. We don't have shelter for them,' Kroetsch said. If enforcement is leading to 'hopscotching' from camp to camp, the city needs to address it, Coun. Brad Clark said. 'I don't think it's fair to have people living in the woods and basically hiding in the woods.' The answer is more affordable and supportive housing, the responsibility of all three levels of government, Clark said.
CBC
20-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Pathways celebrates 40 years of helping people find jobs, skills and confidence
Brandi Bulanda credits counsellors at the Pathways Employment Health Centre with not just helping her figure out customer service skills and Excel spreadsheets, but also with helping get her life back on track. "I've made some pretty huge life changes in the last few years," said Bulanda, 34, now a legal administrative assistant in the centre's advocacy department. The Londoner is one of about 2,300 people helped by Pathways each year. The largest employment agency in the region, it offers skills training, employment counselling and connections to more than 400 employers in southwestern Ontario. This week, Pathways is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open house on Thursday, where it will showcase some of the training programs it offers, including in the manufacturing, construction and administrative fields. "One of the fascinating things that happens is you watch people grow in skills but also in the confidence to actually use those skills," said Paul Hubert, who has been the head of Pathways for 25 years. "You watch them come in and learn to use power tools, chop saws and skills saws and that sort of thing, but you also see them grow in confidence knowing that they know how to do something and how to effectively tell their story to an employer so they can get a job." In 2021, Pathways Skills Development merged with the London Employment Help Centre. The organization helps people looking for work, newcomers, and people who collect Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program or employment insurance. "Many of our folks are people under age 30 who are looking for their first opportunity in the workforce," Hubert said. Bulanda's job journey wasn't straightforward. After graduating from high school, she struggled to settle down and maintain a job. She tried some skills training but wasn't ready. "When I first tried to connect with Pathways, I just was not ready. Life had me going in a different direction and I wasn't ready to make the changes I needed in my life," she said. "But Pathways was there for me, offering support and guidance and encouragement. When I went back in 2019 after some personal growth, I got help through what was then the London Employment Help Centre. My employment advisor helped me navigate my career options." Bulanda took an administrative clerical training program, learning Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Word, as well as typing and customer service skills. "I did a two-week co-op at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of London that was pretty awesome," she said. Surrounded by job seekers from all walks of life, the Pathways crew helped and encouraged each other, Bulanda said. "I won't lie. I was not the most patient person, and I wasn't very good with my words. Completing that program helped me go from street talk to professional talk. Being surrounded by so many different people helped me have an open mind and be aware of everyone's journey. We're all there to better ourselves and get some help so we can have a life." After getting a job as an administrative assistant welcoming people to Pathways' Horton Street location, Bulanda recently got a promotion and now has her own office, fielding questions from people who call in or stop by the Dufferin Street office. Now, she sees people who resemble the unsure young woman she used to be come into the agency and leave more fulfilled. "It's a place where people find direction, community, and purpose. Over the years, I've seen countless clients come through our doors unsure of what to do next, only to leave with certifications, job offers, and a renewed sense of hope," she said. 'Tomorrow is an opportunity' The skills that people need have changed in the last decades, Hubert said, but the core of the work that Pathways does has not. "We weren't talking about AI a few years ago or about everyone needing to be computer literate. The complexity of what employers need has changed," he said. "The cost of living has gone up substantially and support has not increased at all, so the challenge of taking that first step forward has increased," Hubert said. "We talk a lot more now about mental health challenges and the impact they have on every level in society." Approaching people looking to upgrade their skills and get a job with optimism and open-mindedness is important, Hubert said. "We like to say, yesterday never defines your tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow is always an opportunity to be different and to have a different outcome than you did yesterday. Let's not let yesterday define your future."
CBC
05-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Left with $2 at month's end, this woman's among Ontarians urging next premier to boost disability payments
Social Sharing Diane Devine finds the first day of each month stressful, wondering how she'll make ends meet after paying her rent and other bills. The London, Ont., resident's only source of income is $1,600 through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), plus a housing stability benefit from the City of London that helps pay the balance of her $1,312 monthly rent. "I get my money on the last day of the month at 3 a.m. and by 3 p.m., my bank account is back to maybe $2 or $3, if that," Devine, 56, told CBC News. "It's not much to live off of for a whole month, that's for sure. It's a pinch of pennies every day just to try and pay all the bills and buy groceries for a full month." Ontario is in the midst of an election campaign that will culminate with the Feb. 27 vote. Devine, for one, believes people on a fixed income have all but been forgotten by provincial and federal governments. She wants the next Ontario government to increase social assistance rates enough so they match the high cost of living, and urges voters to consider that when they choose their next premier. Devine has been receiving ODSP benefits for over 20 years, since suffering a spinal injury at her former job. It's since developed into a degenerative disc disease, making it hard for her to stand for long periods or do lifting. "If someone can promise me that they can bring our benefits up to that level, then that would be where my vote goes. I don't expect to live a lavish life — I just want enough money to pay my rent, utilities and eat properly without worry." In September 2022, Ontario's Progressive Conservative government increased ODSP rates to align with inflation, with a five per cent hike. The following year, it was legislated that ODSP will have inflationary increases every July, with a 6.5 per cent jump in 2023 and 4.5 per cent in 2024. The maximum ODSP rate for a single individual is $1,368 per month and can go up to $2,639 for a couple with two children. Payments cover basic needs allowances for essentials like food and personal items, and shelter allowances for housing-related costs like rent and utilities. "That may sound like a lot, but you have to consider that rates were already 40 to 50 per cent below the poverty line," said Trevor Manson, co-chair of ODSP Action Coalition, an advocacy group led by people with disabilities who receive ODSP. Manson said other benefits, like Ontario Works (OW), haven't increased and believes low social assistance is fuelling the province's homelessness crisis. He wants these benefits doubled so people aren't living in poverty. "People are spending up to 100 per cent of their income toward rent because they're terrified of becoming homeless. Just take a walk across any community across Ontario — you see tent cities popping up everywhere," he said. "Our number one ask is to immediately double social assistance rates. Even if they doubled Ontario Works, it would still be below the market basket measure, which is Canada's official measure of the poverty line, but it'll still be better than it is now." Randy Tessman said he has run out of items to cut out from his budget to afford to feed his family. The 56-year-old single dad of three lives in a public housing complex in northwest London and gets approximately $3,000 each month through ODSP and the Canada Child Tax Benefit. "The cost of everything has slowly gone up. For us, the biggest expense is food. We spend more money on food now by far than anything else," said Tessman, adding his ODSP cheque increased by $9 with the inflationary rise. "They've also cut back on other extra discretionary benefits. You used to be able to get a washer, fridge and stove. We're at the point now where I can't even get a washer — I've been handwashing my children's clothes for a year and a half." Tessman wants the next premier to make discretionary benefits more accessible for people on ODSP and improve communication on what supports are available to them. "I'm only hoping they can understand that people on a monthly set cheque are having to sacrifice so much just to make sure our children eat." What the major parties are promising CBC asked Ontario's four major parties vying for the top job about what changes they would make to social assistance rates if elected. Here's what they said. Progressive Conservatives: A campaign spokesperson said the party raised the ODSP earned income threshold by 400 per cent, which will keep more money in the pockets of ODSP recipients who are able to work. It will continue to increase ODSP rates with inflation each July. NDP: A party spokesperson said current ODSP and OW rates are forcing people into legislative poverty, and that it would double ODSP rates. Liberals: A party spokesperson said leader Bonnie Crombie will make an announcement related to this issue later Wednesday. The spokesperson didn't disclose further details.
