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For too many members of our community, housing is precarious. Some are often one eviction notice away from losing their homes. A new series of grants at Hamilton Community Foundation is supporting frontline organizations to prevent that from happening.

Last year, the Foundation launched SCAFFOLD, a multi-year commitment to affordable housing. The strategy comprises several components, including supporting new construction, keeping affordable units out of the private market and eviction prevention.

Earlier this year, HCF made grants to several local charities working to prevent evictions, including Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, ACORN, Hamilton Housing Help Centre, St. Matthew’s House, Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, Living Rock, Hamilton Child and Family Supports (formerly Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton), and Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton.

These organizations provide a broad range of services including: partnering with outreach workers at local shelters to assist in navigating interactions with the Landlord and Tenant Board, connecting seniors with professional cleaners to address hoarding, financial support for youth who are behind on rent, Indigenous food sovereignty programming, and educating tenants on their rights and how to apply to legal support programs.

“These grants respond to the growing need for support considering the housing crisis and increased homelessness risk for folks facing the daily challenges of poverty,” says Rudi Wallace, VP Grants & Community Initiatives. “We’re supporting programs that help people fight unfair evictions and also that deliver direct services to vulnerable tenants. That means fewer people at risk of becoming unhoused.”

Excerpt from 2024 Spring Legacy Newsletter