Affordable housing is a team effort. In 2020, a coalition of local affordable housing developers starting meeting to collectively present housing projects for funding from the federal government. The collective, made up of seven organizations, includes Indwell Community Homes, YWCA Hamilton, Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes, Victoria Park Community Homes, Kiwanis Homes, and CityHousing Hamilton.  

In this episode of Vital Signs, Rudi Wallace hosts Lori-Anne Gagne (Victoria Park Community Homes) and Brian Sibley (Kiwanis Homes) to talk about the collective as well as the lessons learned along the way, when it comes to addressing the affordable housing crisis in Hamilton. 

Key quotes 

“[Community consultation] changed the design substantially but it meant buy-in from the community so that when we went for rezoning, there was zero opposition and in fact, a letter of support. This is unheard of.” Lori-Anne Gagne on 60 Caledon Ave development 

“People outside the sector often see affordable housing as a monolith but really its a spectrum of organizations and participants; some are doing shelters, some do transitional housing, some are doing deeply affordable, some are doing near-market, some are doing affordable home ownership. What Hamilton is Home has brought is…expertise…which only increases our ability to have greater impact.” Brian Sibley on collaboration 

It’s rare to see a collaborative like Hamilton is Home. We meet every two weeks to share information and ideas. Our sector is designed to be very competitive; there are limited funds, limited lands, and limited opportunities. By coming together, we actually discuss those opportunities at the table. It allows us to dream bigger.” Lori-Anne Gagne on Hamilton is Home 

“Each organization [in Hamilton is Home] has significant assets in the form of equity…that we’re willing to invest to drive affordable housing forward. The challenge is how can we leverage that equity.” Brian Sibley 

“Amalgamation is not for every group and there is a place and a need for smaller nonprofits in our community, but there are times where it does make sense, when you are back to back with another group. Consolidate and you will find efficiencies in the finances and you will stretch the dollars.” Lori-Anne Gagne on affordable housing lessons learned from the 1980s