Dear Mayor Fred Eisenberger City Manager Janette Smith, City Councillors and others to whom it should concern: We are Hamilton’s artists, musicians, writers, cultural workers, and galleries. For many years we’ve been the city’s poster children for ambitious economic development efforts. We’re used as a slogan, the liveliest slide in every new condo development pitch: “Art is the New Steel,” “Music City,” “Creative City.” Our work was touted by predatory realtors and investors profiting from the displacement of Hamilton’s working class. We recognize our complicity in gentrification and hyper - development’s continuing damage, which has left Hamilton in a housing crisis. We are having conversations (workshops, conferences, symposiums, panel s), which strategize moving forward with expansive solidarity, tangled together in this mess of gentrification. We reflected for a long time, drafting this letter before a pandemic which worsened Hamilton’s problems. Our city’s working class are trapped u nder the weight of a growing unaffordability: juggling debts, living cheque to cheque, just 1 - 2 weeks of missed wages from an eviction notice. COVID - 19 compounded current housing and poverty crises — exposing how woefully inadequate our City’s housing and po verty strategies are in addressing these emergencies. We know a much - needed new vision is possible. We’ve seen our politicians and planners get creative in the face of the pandemic, resolving to use political will to dismantle bureaucratic walls. We are a sking that the same creativity, imagination, urgency, and seriousness be applied to the already present affordability crisis • Increasing Rents: As we emerge from the pandemic interruption, we see that our city’s market has become still worse for renters. Apart from the loss of jobs and increases to the price of food, Hamilton’s rents have increased 33.5% from June 2019 to June 2020, the highest jump in the country (Oshawa, the next highest on the list, is nearly 10 percentage points behind at 24%) [1] • Inadequate Social Housing: As of 2020 there are 5,118 households on the waiting list for social housing which represents roughly 12,420 people [2] Good Shepherd’s waiting list is 5 years deep, and they have stopped accepting applications for housi ng because they have had too many requests. • Disparity Between Neighbourhoods: Class - based disparities between neighbourhoods are growing, with consequences for health. There is a 21 - year difference in life expectancy between the East Hamilton Ward 3 an d the West Mountain Area [3] • Poverty: As of Spring 2014, 15% of Hamilton residents were living in poverty; a rate that rises to 20.5% among children. The highest rates of poverty are seen in lower city wards (24% overall and 34% for children). [4] • Ris ing Houselessness: People are turning to living on the streets, along rail paths, and in parks [5] The houseless live in tents while perfectly usable buildings are boarded up. • Loss of Service Providers: All of these issues are exacerbated by the threatened loss of service providers like Wesley Urban Ministries [6] Inequality is deepening in this city, driven further by gentrifying developers such as CLV , [7] Pulis Investment Group , [8] Rosehaven Homes (recently gentrifying King William St.), [9] a nd Malleum [10] Along with ACORN and the many other organizations working on this issue in the city, we call on you as our city leaders to address this crisis — not by cuts which will produce still greater inequality but by directing attention and funds tow ard the needs of those most affected by the ongoing economic changes. In particular, we wish to add our voices to those of Black Lives Matter, Defund HPS, and other groups and individuals in calling for a significant reallocation of funding that would ot herwise have gone to the police towards initiatives fighting against food insecurity and racism, and towards more affordable housing and other social services. We share their demand to stop ticketing houseless people for existing in public [11] We would l ike to believe that you care for this city as we do. We call on our councillors and public representatives to prioritize the needs of all Hamiltonians with a robust housing plan. In 2018 there were 1,362 new private housing construction projects completed in the City of Hamilton [12] Of these new developments, none of them included cooperative housing, and in the previous year there were only 102 new affordable rental units approved by the city. [13] Too many of us are being left out in the cold, and the urgency of the housing crisis will only become more dire as the consequences of climate change and the economic fallout from the pandemic unfold [14] We urge you to take immediate measures to address the crisis in our city with an actionable plan for affordable, sustainable housing. What is your plan for dealing with this crisis in real terms moving forward? 1. What measures are you taking to protect existing housing stock and preserve space/land as public for future use? What land will be preserved as public, i.e. kept off the market for the immediate and longer - term needs of the people of Hamilton? 2. What percentage of new builds will be affordable? Will they include 30% deeply affordable units, with rents not exceeding 30% of household income or the amount allocated to rent by ODSP? [15] 3. What are your plans for increasing co - operative housing in the short and long term? 4. How will you address chronic and emergency houselessness with shelter spaces adequate to meet the current need? 5. We ap plaud Council's declaration of a climate crisis, and the delivery of the first report from the Corporate Climate Change Task Force. We note that the report recommends the promotion of sustainable building practices, and look forward to learning which build ing performance standards will be made obligatory, and which will be incentivized through public subsidy. What specific actions will the city take to offset the impact of climate extremes on housing affordability and to increase affordable residential dens ity in the core to accommodate the predictable influx of climate refugees? 6. The housing crisis is also a health care crisis: How will you ensure that healthcare and housing gaps are addressed equitably and simultaneously, with consideration of the needs of disabled Hamiltonians and those on CPP? 7. How are you planning for the mass evictions that will follow from Bill 184, the ending of CERB, continued unemployment, and more? Canada has a rich history of alternative affordable housing models and with funding from Canada’s National Housing Strategy, now is the time to invest in this. [16] Municipalities across Canada are developing responsible housing plans that attend to the needs of all citizens, regardless of household income. At the provincial level, the AMO has identified housing affordability as the most important issue facing cities across Ontario. [17] We want to see housing prioritised by the City with a clear, ambitious, well-articulated plan of action. As Hamilton’s artists, musicians, writers, and cultural workers, we share the vision you say you have for Hamilton as a thriving artistic city that is livable for everyone. This cannot exist without true community benefits: affordable and co-op housing, shelters, community services, health centres, safe injection sites, arts venues, libraries, parks. Hamilton is a labour city, where historically citizens have learned to protect themselves from destructive market forces through collective action. We will stand shoulder to shoulder to find solutions and address this problem together. Until you answer these questions and take steps to implement a real public space and housing policy, the cultural work of the undersigned will no longer occur in support of this city. Instead, we will draw attention to the actions the city takes or fails to take moving forward. CC: Councillor Sam Merulla ; Councillor Nrinder Nann ; Councillor Judi Partridge ; Councillor Esther Pauls ; Councillor Maria Pearson ; Councillor Arlene VanderBeek ; Councillor Terry Whitehead ; Councillor Maureen Wilson Tom Hunter , CEO, City Housing Hamilton; Dr. Elizabeth Richardson , Medical Officer of Health; Michelle Baird, Director , Public Health Services (Epidemiology, Wellness & Communicable Disease Control); Jennifer Vickers-Manzin , Director, Public Health Services - Healthy Families; Carrie Brooks-Joiner , Director, Tourism & Culture Office of the City Clerk Councillor B rad Clark; Councillor Chad Collins ; Councillor John-Paul Danko ; Councillor Jason Farr ; Councillor Lloyd Ferguson ; Councillor Tom Jackson ; Councillor Brenda Johnson ; Paul Johnson, General Manager, Healthy & Safe Communities; Edward John , Director Housing Services; Jason Thorne, General Manager, Planning & Economic Development; Stephen Robichaud , Director, Planning & Chief Planner; Glenn Norton , Director, Economic Development; Tony Sergi , Senior Director, Growth Management; Robert MacIsaac , President & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences; Winnie Doyle , Interim President & CEO, Saint Joseph's Health System; Ms. Melissa Farrell , President, Saint Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Manny Figueirido , Director of Education, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board; Dawn Danko , Chair, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board ; Anthony Marco, President, Hamilton & District Labour Council ; Paul Berton , Editor in Chief, The Hamilton Spectator; Howard Elliott, Managing Editor, The Hamilton Spectator; Terry Cooke, President & CEO, Hamilton Community Foundation; Joanna Johnson , General Manager, Hamilton Arts Council; Kim Martin, Executive Director, Social Planning & Research Council; Hugh Tye , Executive Director, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic Christina Karney , Chair, Hamilton/Burlington Society of Architect Hamilton Artists Organizing January 2020 “ Dear Mayor Fred ” Letter Signatories Mary Porter, Hamilton, ON Mark , Hamilton Danica Evering , Writer and Board Member, Hamilton Ashley Watson , Hamilton Lori Le Mare , Hamilton Taien Ng - Chan , Hamilton Julie Dring , Hamilton Rebecca Casalino , Hamilton Sarah Perkins , Hamilton Aerial Group - Stiltwalker and Actor, Hamilton Stephanie Vegh , Hamilton Tricia Cook , Hamilton Dandelion Film Collective , Hamilton Sally McKay , Hamilton Kit Elliott , Hamilton Lee Reed , Musician, Hamilton Ashley Grace , Hamilton Anne Savage , Clear Creek, Ontario Nicole Knibb , McMaster Museum of Art, Senior Education Officer, Hamilton Anonymous, Hamilton Dina Catalucci , Hamilton Connor Bennett , HAVN (Hamilton Audio Visual Node), Hamilton Ariel Bader - Shamai , Hamilton Annie Webber , Hamilton Gabriel Baribeau , Hamilton Mariel Rutherford , Hamilton C. Laganse , Hamilton Katie McDonald , Hamilton Elia Hamelin , Hamilton Matt Carson , Auteur Research Inc, Hamilton Ava Muir , Auteur Research, Publicist, Hamilton Jessica , Toronto Jessica Glegg , Hamilton Jason Jillard , Hamilton Adam Bentley , Auteur Research, Hamilton Nicole Maga , Hamilton Elise Arsenault , Hamilton David Schuurman , Hamilton Jessica , Toronto Alana Traficant e, Advisory Board - McMaster Museum of Art Sara Froese , Hamilton Tom Aagaard , Hamilton Rebekah Driegen , Hamilton Nicole Levaqu e , Dundas Mark Laurin , Hamilton Avery Brooks - Joinee , Hamilton JoJo Chooi - Harley , Family Service Worker - Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society, Hamilton Shane Cabral , Hamilton Simone Blain , Painter, Hamilton Alex Jacobs - Blum , Hamilton Aimee Burnett , Hamilton Abedar Kamgari , Artist, Hamilton Charlit Floriano , Hamilton David Nardi , Musician, Hamilto n Sara Bond , Hamilton Suzanne Carte , Burlington Teba Faisal , Artist, Hamilton Laura Palumbo , Sketchy Laura, Hamilton Vanessa Crosbie Ramsay , Media Artist & Arts Educator, Hamilton Alex Roberts , Hamilton Leah Abaza , Creative Director, Hamilton, Adrienne Crossma n, Visual Artist, Assistant Professor, McMaster University and Board Co - Chair, Hamilton Artists Inc , Hamilton Nicole Levaque , Dundas Gareth Inkster , Musician, Hamilton Tara Bursey , Artist, Curator, Educator, Hamilton Shellie , Artist, Arts Worker, member of Friends of Chinatown TO , Toronto Carly Billings , Artist, Small Business Owner, Hamilton Allison Burda , Illustrator, Hamilton Nadine Kalinauskas , Writer; Animation Producer, Hamilton Kayla Whitney , Owner, Lead Artist and Mura list, Koe Design Studio, Hamilton Morris Fox , Artist, Greater Toronto Area Stephanie Springgay , Associate Professor, McMaster, Hamilton/Toronto Sonjia McEachin , Hamilton Briana Palmer , Artist, Hamilton Judy Major - Girardin , Artist/ Educator, Working at McMa ster University Ava Muir , Auteur Research, Publicist, Hamilton Sumanth Shankar , Professor, Hamilton Aaron Hutchinson , Artist, Hamilton Nina Degner , Hairstylist, Hamilton Marin Hudson , Creative Lead/Small Business Owner, Hamilton Dorian Batycka , Hamilton Keisha Neoma Quinn , Sculptor, Hamilton Emma , RE - create outreach worker, Hamilton Emma Donahue , Hamilton Justice Deschamps , Artist, Hamilton Kojo Easy Damptey , Musician, Hamilton Eugenia Zuroski , Professor and writer, Hamilton Setareh Masoumbeiki , Bambook Children’s House, Hamilton Alison Pipe , Hamilton Monique Campbell , Photographer, Ha milton Laura Sorbara , Hamilton Lauren McKay , Arts Student, Hamilton Samantha Roe , Illustrator, Hamilton Yvette Cowe , Hamilton Studio Art at McMaster University (submitted by Judy Major - Girardin ), Studio Art Program, McMaster University, Professor, Hamilton Claud Spadafora , Femmepire, Co - Artistic Director, Hamilton Madeleine Krusto , Femmepire Co - General Manager, Hamilton Michelle Bell , Painter, Hamilton Esther Hornsveld , Hamilton Kelsey Burns , Hamilton Kelsea , Hamilton Haley Reap , Props Builder/Fabricator for theatre and film, Hamilton Jane Hill , President IATSE Local 828, Hamilton Hannah Uzelac , Hamilton Leah Janzen , Hamilton Sabine O ’ Donnell , Graduate student studying affordable housing, Hamilton Melissa Stenhouse , Hamilton Samille Elliston , Arts Educator, Hamilton Dominique Cheshire , Artist Contributor, Oakville Kay Pollock , Food stylist, Hamilton Nadine Rainville , Hamilton Jacques Hypolite , Newer Perspective Consulting, Hamilton Amber Wood , Actor, Storytime Leader, Hamilton Natalie Castellino , Producer, Hamilton Andrea Pohlmann , Hamilton A. E. Clayton , Photographer, Hamilton Nina Hartt , Theatre Props Teacher, Scarborough Stephanie Seagram , Artist, independent, Hamilton Julia McMahon , Childcare/education/art, Hamilton Melissa Neil , Visual Artist/Arts administrator, Hamilton Danielle Hitchcock , Twin Design + Art Direction, Principal + Creative Director, Hamilton Jacob Playfair , Hamilton Elisabetta Paiano , designer & digital communicator, Hamilton Jennifer Budd , Th é ma Arts Academy, Owner, Hamilton Eleni jalbout , Hamilton Miles Oreskovic , Hamilton Gabriela Barreira , Hamilton Meaghan Duffy , External supporter & resident of Hamilton, Hamilton Kate Hunter , Hamilton Andrea Blakey , Actor, stand - up comic, event organizer, Hamilton Nicole Levaque , Hamilton Julie Marquis , Graphic Artist, Visual Artist, Community Event Organizer, Instructor, Hamilton Alecia Korkowski , Hamilton Marie Treasa Le vasseur , Artist, educator, voter, Hamilton Ward 3 Marita Linde , Hamilton Brittany Hersey , Hamilton Rachael Henderson , Professional DJ/Holistic Nutritionist, Hamilton Danielle Plester , Hamilton Jen Hsieh , Illustrator, Hamilton Mallorie Edward , Hamilton Rucha Patel , Movement and meditation facilitator with GoodBodyFeel, Hamilton Christina Tarsitano , Hamilton Janet Kompare - Fritz , Hamilton Annie Shaw , Musician, cultural worker, Hamilton Laura Malysewich , Hamilton Madison Broomfield , Hamilton Daniel le Hinchberger , Hamilton Leah Faieta , Arts Consultant, Hamilton Nina Drenth , Collage artist, Hamilton Mike Kennedy , Woodworker, Hamilton Kat Gomboc , Owner & artist at Sleepy Bones Tattoo, Hamilton Tara Urekar , Artist, concerned citizen, Hamilton Jessi Elgersma , Hamilton Jamie Lawson , Artist / Designer, Hamilton Jacqui Oakley , Freelance Illustrator, Hamilton Bronwyn Bataillard - Flaherty , Visual artist, Hamilton Amanda Jansen , Musician, Hamilton E mma , Graphic D esigner, Hamilton Sam Tyson , Tattoo artist, Hamilton Nimal Agalawatte , Audio Engineer and Musician, Hamilton Matt Jelly , Designer/Illustrator, Jelly Bros., Hamilton Lee McPherson , Bones Below, Hamilton Artist, Hamilton Ashley Constant , Freelancer, Hamilton Steve Corneil , Graphic and web desi gner; musician, Hamilton Maura Amadea Priebe , Wellness & Movement teacher, Hamilton Rachel Dagostino , Hamilton Dahlia Kubeia , Moon and Matter, Artist, Hamilton Diane , Hamilton Nathalie Cortes , Visual Artist, Photographer, Hamilton Mary Anne Grant , Hamilton Phoebe Underhill , Artist & Musician, Hamilton Meghan Schuurman , Community artist, Hamilton Hannah Duckworth , Freelance Illustrator, Hamilton Nathaniel Kosub , Musician, Hamilton Caroline Murakami , Tattooer, Hamilton Jeff Low , Musician, Hamilton Mic hael Vickers , Akin Co - Director, Artist, Hamilton Sean Johnston , Barber/artist, Hamilton ON Jordyn Stewart , BOD - Hamilton Artists Inc., Grimsby CC Benz , Hamilton Cadence Underhill , St. Catharines Pat Varanesi , Hamilton Amelia Herman , Hamilton Brian Morton , Artistic Director, Theatre Erebus, Hamilton, Laura , Hamilton Christina Sisti , Illustrator & Designer, part - time bartender, Hamilton Rachel , Hamilton Seema Narula , Hamilton Naomi Mendes - Pouget , Hamilton Stephanie Nikita , Graphic designer, Hamilton B rodie Chree , Audio - visual artist, technician and IT worker, Hamilton Amber Boyle , Hospitality/Bartender, Hamilton Michael Srbljanin , Hamilton Rebecca , Arts Administration, Hamilton M ac D exter , Hamilton Jessica Elves , Freelance Artist, Hamilton Francesca Morreale , Strangewaves Music & Arts Festival Organizer, Hamilton Artists Inc. Volunteer, Hamilton Harlee , Hamilton Kevyn : Wright , Hamilton Tom Altobelli , Musician, Hamilton Jocelyn Russell , Local Musician, Hamilton Adrian Murchison , Singer/songwr iter/member of Bad Dates, The Inflation Kills, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Pneumatic Transit, Hamilton David Crosbie , Musician, Hamilton Kevin Sooley , Hammer City Samba, Member, Hamilton Joshua Holt , Musician, Hamilton Becky Katz , Freelance artist and art educator, Hamilton Samantha Muir , Hamilton David Nardi , Hamilton Tessa Dundas , Hamilton Radha S Menon , Red Betty Theatre Artistic Director & Founder, Hamilton Gabriel Baribeau , Hamilton Victoria Cox , Artist contributor, Hamilton Kearon Roy Taylor , Designer and Lecturer, Toronto Abby Adjekum , Hamilton Evelyn Charlotte - Joe , Musician, Educator, Hamilton Riley Mitchison , Video Editor, Musician, Hamilton & Toronto Margot Corbin , Nurse, Hamilton Caitlin Molony , Stoney Creek Jeremy Freiburger , Cultural worker, Hamilton Leo Dragtoe , Hamilton Siobhan Murphy , Artist Representative/Assistant and freelance writer, Hamilton Shelby Hebert , Performance Artist, Hamilton Zakiyya Thurston , OUTRAGED, Toronto Josh Parsons , Writer, Hamilton Daya Williams , GOO DBODYFEEL, Client Relations Advisor, Hamilton Laura K atz , Hamilton Alexandra Blumas , Musician, Hamilton Richelle Sibolboro , Factory Media Centre, Hamilton Erica Love - Jones , Poet, photographer, barista, Hamilton Harlee Mackenzie , Hamilton Hayet Coghlan , Hamilton Ken Inouye , Promoter, Hamilton Alexa MacKenzie , Artist and Prop Builder, Hamilton Laura Sorbara , Retail shop on James N; artist, Hamilton Samantha Province , Artist, St. Catharines Shauna Taylor , Board member, Hamilton Nick Grottick , Hamilton Olivia , Writer, Hamilton Jacob G uinney , Hunter, Hamilton A ndres M iramontes , Artist, Hamilton Natasha Turner , Hamilton Maria Rowley , Volunteer & client services coordinator, Hamilton Kerry Turcotte , Potter, be|ware pottery, Hamilton Kiera Boult , Cultural worker/Artist, Hamilton Kara Jongeling , Artist, Hamilton Szandra Szilvassy , Retail - Hamilton Antique Mall, Hamilton Shawn Selway , writer, Hamilton Jim Ruxton , Artist/Engineer, Hamilton Elizabeth Simpson , Needlework, Hamilton Derek Jenkins , Filmmaker, Hamilton Erika McMeekin , Club owner, Sous Bas, Hamilton Ingrid Mayrhofer , Red Tree Artists’ Collective, Hamilton Bernadette Rule , writer, retired teacher, Dundas Alex Perna , Copywriter, Hamilton Kira James , Toronto Daniella Lato , Hamilton Alexandra Blumas , Musician, Dancer, Hamilton Ryan Strang , Hamilton Ben Cullimore , DJ and Musician, Hamilton Stacy Mitchell , Hamilton Alicia Knight , Hamilton Taylor Greer , Independent Artist, Hamilton Jessica Hannigan , Hamilton Skyler Barclay , Hami lton Sarah Sproule , Artist, cultural worker, Hamilton Amara Spragon , Hamilton Lauren Glegg , Hamilton Ben Needham , Hamilton Sara Ghahramani , Visual Artist, Hamilton Peter Kirkland , Artist, Hamilton Babak Lakghomi , Writer, Hamilton Zachary Thompson , Hamilton Review of Books, contributor, Hamilton Chelsea MacDonald , Hamilton Melanie Skene , Artist/Puppeteer, Dundas Kristina Durka , Hamilton Pip , Musician, Hamilton Trisha Leigh Lavoie , Hamilton Tarek Al - Ajak , Hamilton Hayley Evans , Social worker, Hamilton Leo Lathy Kheng , Hamilton Christine Rigby , Hamilton Katharine Reeds , Hamilton Elysse Cook , Tattooer, Hamilton Thea Haines , Artist/educator, Hamilton Sophie Harrison , Oakville Justin Aitcheson , Graphic Designer, Hamilton Colline Do , Hamilton Kellie McKibbon , Hamilton Erin Gilkes , Hamilton Brian Thwaits , Hamilton Jane Lee , Hamilton Niv Shimshon , Photographer, Hamilton Emma Moeller , Hamilton Stephanie Park , theatrical clown / stilts, Hamilton Heidi Branton , Hamilton Kris Traherne , Dundas Denise Montgomery , Hamilton Rachelle Letain , Graphic Designer, Hamilton Matthew Dickie , Hamilton Elizabeth McQueen , Visual Artist, Dundas Michelle Gibson , Hamilton Krista Hull , Hamilton Ben Robinson , Writer, Hamilton Katherine Diemert , Artist, Hamilton Elizabeth McQueen , Visual Artist, Dundas Alyssa Zilney , Hamilton Claire Anderson , Artist / Sculptor, Hamilton Ayda Ghaffari , Art Educator, Toronto Will Allen , Hamilton Theresa Keast , Volunteer Coordinator, Hamilton Jennifer Kneulman , Self employed designer, Hamilton Austin Ruffo , Hamilton Geovanna Longo , Dundas Laura Konyndyk , Illustrator/Artist, Hamilton Dylan MacKenzie , Niagara Falls James MacNevin , Editor & Writer, Hamilton Andrea Flockhart , Artist, Hamilton Alexa ndra Berze , Hamilton Alex Shimshon , Pastry Chef/Owner of Kitchen Island, Hamilton Janet Kompare - Fritz , Actor - ACTRA/ Home Baker /educator with HWDSB, Hamilton Nancy Leung , Artist Educator, Psychotherapist, Hamilton Danielle Moed , Burlington Becky Katz , Strangewaves - Artistic Director, Hamilton Doug McBrien , Hamilton Patti Randazzo Beckett, Hamilton Alejandro Tamayo , Artist and board member of Hamilton Artists Inc. (2018 - 2020), Hamilton Laura Staios , Hamilton/Toronto Janne Hackl , very concerned citizen, Binbrook Yara El Safi , Artist, organiz er and educator, Hamilton Andrew O ’ Connor , Hamilton Leslie Sasaki , Professor of Art Fundamentals, Sheridan College, retired, Hamilton Charlie Star , artist and arts educator, Hamilton Matthew Walker , Object Mak er/Artist, Hamilton Shanice Bowrin , Actor, Hamilton Andrea Flockhart , Artist, Hamilton Alysha Main , DJ, Music Supervisor, Hamilton Chris Altmann , Musician, Hamilton James Vander Zaag , Musician, Hamilton Emily Jackson , Hamilton Olivia Mossuto , Artist, Hamilton Marisa Casini , Hamilton Connor George , Hamilton Hannah MacDonald , Hamilton Sean P rocyk , Playground designer, Hamilton Amanda Dudnik , Artist & Arts Administrator, Hamilton Micaela Molina Morales , Student, Toronto TJ Charlton , Hamilton Greg Santilly , Musician, Hamilton Terrance Odette , Flimmaker, Hamilton Katie McDonald , Hamilton Shanika Lewis - Waddell , Singer - Songwriter, Toronto Trevor Copp , Theatre, Hamilton BA Johnston , Hamilton Susan Moore , Hamilton Tom Lawlor , Artist, Production, Hamilton Noelle Allen , Wolsak and Wynn, Publisher, Hamilton Jim Riley , Visual and Media Artist, Hamilton Marie Zilik , Retired, Hamiltonian, Hamilton C Field , Scenic Artist & Props Builder, IATSE Local 828, Hamilton Monika C , Performance Artist, Hamilton Dallas Walzak , Strangewaves, Organizer, Hamilton Angela Shlimon , Hamilton Sarah L Cobden , English Teacher, Hamilton Gregory Cruikshank , Actor, Hamilton Jasmine Cardenas , Visual artist/art educator, Hamilton Annette Paiement , Ha milton Emily Brohman , Peterborough Heidi Crocini , Hamilton Kay C hornook , Hamilton Emma Cole , Book editor, Hamilton Myke Hutchings , Musician, Hamilton Natalie Hunter , Visual Artist / Educator, Hamilton Sara Wiseman , chocolatier, Hamilton Maureen Selman , Hamilton Stephen Hudecki , Hamilton Shari Dunn , Musician, Hamilton Jenny Vasquez , Artist Contributor, Hamilton/Toronto Jessica Veter , Writer, Dundas Jessica Lane , Classical Singer, Hamilton Peter Bassmahon , Classical Singer, Hawiton Elizabeth Seidl , Artist & Designer, Hamilton Nicole Brady , Hamilton Matthew MacFadzean , Artist, Hamilton Ann Martin , Hamilton Matt Innes - Leroux , Associate producer (TV/broadcast), Hamilton Mike Trebilcock , Film Composer, Hamilton Sarah Duncan , Hamilton Kobi Annobil , Musician, Hamilton Rick Roberts , Actor, Playwright, Hamilton Dave Hind , Thingmaker, Hamilton Heather South , Hamilton and everywhere Kody Laskowski , Hamilton Amy Mcintosh , Hamilton Daniel Troup , Hamilton Shawn Everett , Hamilton Margar et Bá rdos , Singer/Actor, Hamilton Rebekah Clayton , Hamilton Jennifer Wylie - Martin , Hamilton Lydia Santia , Artist, Hamilton Ashley Moore , Hamilton Paula Grove , Artist and Arts Teacher, Hamilton J acquelyn W est , Culture Worker, T oronto Jacob Tutt , Playhouse Cinema, Owner, Hamilton Owen Ford , Visual Artist, former board member, Hamilton Artists Inc., Dundas Kyle Donnelly , Hamilton Patrick Brennan , Arts Manager, Hamilton Beth de Jong , Hamilton Musician and Artist, Hamilton Ann Hayes , Concerned resident, Hamilton Cadence Machry , Creative Heart Space, Hamilton Tara Ann Noel , Hamilton Bailey Duff , Hamilton Geoff Ball , Musician/teacher, Hamilton Tyler Tekatch , Dundas Chris Hampton , Hamilton Wendy Bush , Artist/ Social Worker, Hamilton Julie “ Fazooli ” Marquis , Graphic Artist, Hamilton A. Taylor , Hamilton North Arts Council, Hamilton Sameen Mahboubi , Hamilton MaryAnn Hudecki Thompson, Dundas/Hamilton Sarah Wilbore , Hamilton Nicole Coleman , Causal artist, concerned citizen, Hamilton Daniel Empringham , Music Teacher, Hamilton Rufus Hickok , Writer, Hamilton Irene Loughlin , Artist, Hamilton Maryanne Lemieux , Hamilton Phoebe Taylor , Creative Director/Owner of Okay Shoe design studio, Hamilton Kit Simmons , Artist Contributor, Hamilton Caitlin A Eady , Artist contributor - Group of 7 Billion, Hamilton Michael Allgoewer , Visual artist, Hamilton Austra Jerumanis , Design Artist, Hamilton Piper Hayes , Hamilton Sean Gadoury , Artist, Group of 7 Billion, Hamilton Kelly Wolf , Theatre Artist, Artist Educator, Arts Outreach, Hamilton Ashley Feldman , Hamilton Samantha Emmerson , Retired, Hamilton Margaret Kelly , Artist/Designer - Wolf Dottir, Hamilton Corina S picer , Hamilton Risa Maldonado , Movement educator, Hamilton CEARA Holditch , Hamilton Abby Adjekum , Artist, Hamilton Sandra Smith , Technician, Hamilton Arlene Fox , Retired, still a dressmaker, Dundas Dan Mongeon , Hamilton Carol , Visual Artist, Hamilton Sharon Ormerod , Visual Artist, Hamilton Lindi Zamisa , Spoken word, Hamilton Lindsey Jacobs , Graphic Designer, Hamilton Jennifer Morse , Hamilton Stephanie Spears , Hamilton Thomas Murphy , ESL Teacher, Hamilton Tao - Ming Lau , Blue Crane Agency, Hamilton Alexis Brown , Fashion designer, Hamilton Annie de Grey , Hamilton Em ma , 2D designer at Taqqut productions, Hamilton Carl Vernon , Hamilton Angelune Des Lauriers , Hamilton Jesse Horvath , Arts Educator, Hamilton Ashley Holden , Hamilton Alex Berze , Hamilton Bryce Kanbara , artist, Hamilton Ryan Ferguson , Artist, Arts Worker, Hamilton Robin Zee , Hamilton Laine Groeneweg , Artist / Owner & Founder of Smokestack Studio, Hamilton Douglas Bryan Kellam , Front of House Manager with a Non - Profit Live Arts Theatre, Hamilton Cindy Soler , Hamilton Alexis Moline , Curator, Hamilton Kat Williams , Culture Worker, Hamilton Alessandra Faria , On Set Dresser, Hamilton Sarah Beattie , Visual Artist - Painter, Hamilton Austra Jerumanis , Design Artist, Hamilton Zahra Komeylian , Artist, Toronto Alejandro Tamayo , Artist, Hamilton, Windsor Josh Taylor , Dancer, Choreographer, Hamilton Kareem - Anthony Ferreira , Artist, Hamilton Debbie Ellis , Retiree, Hamilton Olivia Mancini , Hamilton Lil Acevedo , Hamilton Roseatta Long , Hamilton Susan Yarwood , Homemade craft entrepreneur, Hamilton Dana Popadyn , Hamilton Alex Medley , Ottawa Laura Katz , Hamilton Greg Voisin , Hamilton Leah Visser , Crafternoon ATS Organizer, Hamilton Danielle Gendron , Hamilton Jess Harvey , Designer/Illustrator, Hamilton Sarah McKnight , Hamilton Melissa Bennett , Hamilton Sonali Menezes , Hamilton Artists Organizing, Hamilton Mallory Taylor , Artist, Kingston, former Hamilton resident Jessica Avolio , Creative Director, Hamilton Margaret Juraj , Concerned citizen who supports arts, music, Hami lton Leanne Palmerston , Hamilton Jazmyn Pettigrew , Artist, Guelph Jade Kosub , Hamilton Sarah Ollerhead , Illustrator & Graphic Designer, Hamilton Cassandra Hutt , Hamilton Tyler Berglund , Doors: Taco Joint Metal Bar, Owner, Hamilton Olga Kirgidis , Hamilton Allison Warwick , Hamilton Megan Tedesco , Hamilton Tara Ohri , Hamilton Denise Montgomery , Hamilton Christopher Clause , Musician and Worship Pastor, Hamilton Melissa Murray - Mutch , Actor, Arts Educator, Producer, Hamilton Atlas , Hamilton Norah Wakula , Hamilton John Bentley , Hamilton Tara - Lynn Morrison , Hamilton Toni - Marie Griffi , Hamilton Larry Lewis , Musician/Writer, Toronto Florencia Berinstein , Hamilton Carlyn Rhamey , Multidisciplinary Artist, Hamilton Marci Katz , Hamilton Erin Aurich , Artist Contributor, Hamilton Taras Hemon , Hamilton Jay Shand , Artist Contributor, Hamilton REFERENCES: 1. Ben Myers, “Rentals.ca June 2020 Rent Report” Rentals.ca, https://rentals.ca/national - rent - report 2. Teviah Moro, “City makes headway on Hamilton social housing wait list,” Hamilton Spectator, 31 January, 2020, https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton - region/2020/01/31/city - makes - headway - on - hamilton - social - housing - wait - list.html 3. “Worlds Apart,” Hamilton Spectator, August 25, 2010, https://www.thespec.com/news - story/2168237 - worlds - apart/ 4. Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, “Poverty among Hamilton’s Taxfilers,” Hamilto n’s Social Landscape Bulletin 14 (April 2017) http://www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca/wp - content/uploads/2017/04/SPRC - HSL - Bulletin - 14 - Poverty - of - taxfilers - April - 2017.pdf 5. Teviah Moro, “Homelessness growing, not decreasing in Hamilton, agency says,” Hamilton Spectator, November 13, 2018, https://www.thespec.com/news - story/9054866 - h omelessness - growing - not - decreasing - in - hamilton - agency - says/ 6. Lisa Polewski, “Wesley Day Centre, hub for Hamilton’s most vulnerable, closing its doors,” Global News, June 12, 2019, https://globalnews.ca/news/5381857/wesley - day - centre - hub - for - hamiltons - most - vulnerable - closing - its - doors/ 7. Tevia h Moro, “Landlord applications for above - guideline rental hikes in Hamilton soaring,” Hamilton Spectator, January 9, 2019, https://www.thespec.com/news - story/9116178 - landlord - applications - for - above - guideline - rental - hikes - in - hamilton - soaring/ 8. Teviah Moro, “Renting to a ‘different demographic’ in Hamilton,” Hamilton Spectator January 16, 2018, https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton - region/2018/01/16/renting - to - a - different - demographic - in - hamilton.html 9. Rosehaven Homes’ commitment to attracting wealthy Torontonians to the core, to Stoney Creek, and Ancaster contributes to inequity by neglecting existing populations and affordability. https://kiwicondos.com/ 10. Malleum recently received a Barton - Kenilworth Tax Increment Grant from the City of Hamilton. Te viah Moro, “Tenant advocates argue against grant for Hamilton developer accused of ‘renoviction’,” Hamilton Spectator, October 16 2019, https://acorncanada.org/ hamilton - spectator - tenant - advocates - argue - against - grant 11. Defund Hamilton Police, “Demands: Hamilton City Hall,” https://www.defundhps.com/demands 12. As per Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Ho using Market Information Portal , https://www03.cmhc - schl.gc.ca/hmip - pimh/ 13. “ New Affordable Rental Units Built,” City of Hamilton, December 30, 2017 , https://www.hamilton.ca/city - initiatives/citizen - dashboard/new - affordable - rental - units - built 14. Samantha Craggs, “Hamilton declares a climate change emergency,” CBC News, March 18, 2019, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/climate - change - 1.50 61326 15. We note that in December 2019, after an 18 - month delay, a Community Benefits Protocol Advisory Committee was struck to write the protocol. https://pub - ham ilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=212398 15. " History of Co - op Housing," Co - operative Housing Federation of Canada , https://chfcanada.coop/about - co - op - housing/history - of - co - op - housing/ 17. “Fixing the Housing Affordability Crisis: Municipal Recommendations for Housing in Ontario,” Associ ation of Municipalities Ontario, August 14, 2019.