The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Community Foundation first convened the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction in 2005 to focus community attention on growing problems with income distribution and economic opportunity in Hamilton. The growing level of individual poverty was a concern for how it was impacting on the entire community. The Roundtable brought together business and government leaders, not-for-profit community groups, service providers and advocates.
More than 24,000 reasons to act!
The community forum was a resounding success, and more work remains.
SPRC’s recent Family and Child Poverty in Hamilton report found that 21.1% of Hamilton children were living in poverty in 2023, representing more than 24,000 children.
With the municipal and school board election on October 26, 2026, Tackling Child and Youth Poverty in Hamilton is asking candidates to publicly acknowledge the issue and explain how they would respond if elected.
If you are running in the municipal election, consider making a commitment to tackling child and youth poverty in Hamilton by signing here 
See CBC coverage of the election panel at the Hamilton Public Library’s Central Branch Wednesday evening.
New Policy Brief
People Not Pillars:
A New Poverty Reduction Strategy 2025 has been submitted to the Province in response to their consultation.
From Tamarack
Two Decades of Systems Change, Collaborative Leadership, and National Impact in Hamilton
A 20 year retrospective study on the work of HRPR.
A Tribute to Lance Dingman
Basic Income
Social Assistance
Living Wage
More Income Security
Local Initiatives
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