Keys to Affordable Housing: A Hamilton-Burlington Tenant Forum

Keys to Affordable Housing: A Hamilton-Burlington Tenant Forum

Come join us at The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton for an engaging examination of typical tenants' experiences as Hamilton's rents soar, and the steps that must be taken to ensure Hamilton becomes a community where all have decent housing they can afford. This in-person event will bring together tenants, advocates, and experts to share insights and strategies that well in other countries similar to Canada. Whether you're a renter, or simply a community member who agrees that decent housing is a human right, this forum is for you! Let's find out how other cities, here and overseas, are avoiding the "downward spiral."

Location: The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton L8P 4K3

Guest speakers:

Tenants: Typical Hamilton tenants, most of them working while trying to keep a roof over their heads in a city with soaring rents, share some of their experiences and insights.

Dr. Carolyn Whitzman (PhD, McMaster, Adjunct Professor and Senior Housing Researcher at the School of Cities, University of Toronto). A respected long time researcher on housing and social policy, she is the author of six books, including “Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis” (just published), numerous studies and over 80 articles.

Sharlene Henry, Co-Chair, York-South Weston Tenant Union. Born in Hamilton, Sharlene works in a Brampton factory. She, her husband and their three children have lived in the same apartment building for over two decades. When the building's landlord – a powerful corporate investment firm – imposed multiple rent hikes, she and other tenants organized to prevent further rent hikes. Sharlene will share lessons learned.

Learn:

• What the impacts of soaring rents are on typical tenants (Overt homelessness is just the most visible tip of the housing crunch iceberg. Soaring rents are making life miserable, unstable and anxious for about a quarter of Hamiltonians, if not more.)
• The real reasons Hamilton and many other Ontario cities have such a severe housing problem, although many cities in countries similar to Canada don’t.
• Which genuine, durable, cost-effective solutions will work, and why
• What strategies don’t work, and why.
• What can be done, in the meantime, to rein in rent hikes and unfair evictions, and prevent Hamilton from becoming a city of “haves” and despairing, anxious "have nots".

We strongly suggest that you pre-register, so we can set up enough seating well in advance. [Please let us know if you need to attend online, rather than in-person, and we will try to accomodate you. Contact [email protected] ]

People of all faiths, and no faiths, are welcome.

Doors open at 5:45, for registration (and a cup of hot soup, while quantities last, to tide you over while you're learning). This is a family-friendly event; children welcome but must remain in the supervision of parents or grandparents at all times.

Our church is within walking distance of the # 1, #5, and #7 and #10 buses. There is also parking on site.

Host or Publisher First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, Housing Affordability Team