Affordable Housing
Partnering with the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton to update our 2018 report 
on rental challenges in Hamilton. We hope to reflect the current state of housing affordability, eviction risks, and tenant experiences in Hamilton. This project aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of rental challenges, drawing input from housing experts, community organizations, and individuals with lived experience. The updated report will provide evidence-based recommendations to advocate for policy changes, increase affordable housing, and explore innovative solutions tailored to Hamilton’s housing crisis. While the report has not yet been completed, HRPR remains committed to securing funding and partnerships to move this critical project forward.
Residential Care Facilities
Working to improve conditions in Residential Care Facilities through collaboration with City, community partners and RCF residents. We’ve been honour to work with the Coalition of Residential Care Facilities Tenants, and other community partners on this issue.
The initiative focuses on identifying service gaps and pushing for policy changes and resources that enhance the quality of life and access to necessary supports for vulnerable residents in RCFs. This includes efforts to develop plans to ensure tenants could gain access to the forthcoming Canada Disability Benefit and looks at advocacy projects around the Personal needs Allowance.
“Beyond Schedule 20″ was produced and directed by retired staff member Jennefer Chivers.
Extreme Heat Working Group
Recognizing the impact of climate change on low-income individuals, HRPR engaged with the City of Hamilton’s Extreme Heat Working Group. This collaboration focused on advocating for affordable cooling solutions, emergency shelters, and outreach programs. The goal was to ensure a coordinated approach that connects housing stability with climate-related support services for vulnerable populations. The City’s Heat Response Strategy included recommendations such as activating public spaces as temporary cooling centres during extreme heat events and providing free public transportation to these locations to increase accessibility.
Community Safety and Well-being Plan
The Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction played a significant role in the Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan revision process, ensuring that the perspectives of marginalized and low-income residents were included. Through targeted engagement sessions and consultations with key community groups, we gathered valuable insights on income security, housing, food access, transportation, and accessibility.
We facilitated discussions with advocacy groups such as the Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits, which emphasized the urgent need for increased Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates, food security measures, and affordable housing investments. Engagement with the Rainbow Kings and Queens, a group of LGBTQ+ refugees, highlighted the challenges of discrimination, housing affordability, and access to mental health services. Our Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) further reinforced the need for higher social assistance rates, eviction prevention, and enhanced public transit access.
Food Security
The Roundtable has supported Public Health on issues of food security for many years. For the 2024 Monitoring Food
Affordability in Hamilton we invited Mary Ellen Prange, Public Health Dietitian, Healthy and Safe Communities, to be our guest speaker at our January 2025 webinar.
Shifting Attitudes
We are working with community partners on strategies to address polarization and improve understanding of poverty-related issues, potentially culminating in a forum geared to sharing and disseminating best practices.
Payday Loans
We were happy to champion the licensing of Payday Loan businesses in Hamilton. We are thrilled that the city of Hamilton became the first to enact the by-law.