Hamilton Artists Organizing Letter - VPUA

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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, panels), 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 under 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 poverty 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 asking 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 housing 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 and 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] • Rising 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] and 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 toward 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 otherwise 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 like 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 applaud 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 building 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 density 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: Office of the City Clerk Councillor Sam Merulla; Councillor Brad Clark; Councillor Nrinder Nann; Councillor Chad Collins; Councillor Judi Partridge; Councillor John-Paul Danko; Councillor Esther Pauls; Councillor Jason Farr; Councillor Maria Pearson; Councillor Lloyd Ferguson; Councillor Arlene VanderBeek; Councillor Tom Jackson; Councillor Terry Whitehead; Councillor Brenda Johnson; Councillor Maureen Wilson Paul Johnson, General Manager, Healthy & Safe Communities; Tom Hunter, CEO, City Housing Hamilton; Edward John, Director Housing Services; Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health; Jason Thorne, General Manager, Planning & Economic Development; Michelle Baird, Director, Public Health Services Stephen Robichaud, Director, Planning & Chief Planner; (Epidemiology, Wellness & Communicable Disease Control); Glenn Norton, Director, Economic Development; Jennifer Vickers-Manzin, Director, Tony Sergi, Senior Director, Growth Management; Public Health Services - Healthy Families; Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Director, Tourism & Culture Robert MacIsaac, President & CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences; Paul Berton, Editor in Chief, The Hamilton Spectator; Winnie Doyle, Interim President & CEO, Saint Joseph's Health System; Howard Elliott, Managing Editor, The Hamilton Spectator; Ms. Melissa Farrell, President, Saint Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Terry Cooke, President & CEO, Hamilton Community Foundation; Manny Figueirido, Director of Education, Hamilton Joanna Johnson, General Manager, Hamilton Arts Council; Wentworth District School Board; Kim Martin, Executive Director, Social Planning & Research Council; Dawn Danko, Chair, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board; Hugh Tye, Executive Director, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic Anthony Marco, President, Hamilton & District Labour Council; Christina Karney, Chair, Hamilton/Burlington Society of Architect Hamilton Artists Organizing January 2020 “Dear Mayor Fred” Letter Signatories Mary Porter, Hamilton, ON Alex Jacobs-Blum, Hamilton Monique Campbell, Photographer, Mark, Hamilton Aimee Burnett, Hamilton Hamilton Danica Evering, Writer and Board Member, Abedar Kamgari, Artist, Hamilton Laura Sorbara, Hamilton Hamilton Charlit Floriano, Hamilton Lauren McKay, Arts Student, Hamilton Ashley Watson, Hamilton David Nardi, Musician, Hamilton Samantha Roe, Illustrator, Hamilton Lori Le Mare, Hamilton Sara Bond, Hamilton Yvette Cowe, Hamilton Taien Ng-Chan, Hamilton Suzanne Carte, Burlington Studio Art at McMaster University Julie Dring, Hamilton Teba Faisal, Artist, Hamilton (submitted by Judy Major-Girardin), Studio Rebecca Casalino, Hamilton Laura Palumbo, Sketchy Laura, Hamilton Art Program, McMaster Sarah Perkins, Hamilton Aerial Group - Vanessa Crosbie Ramsay, Media Artist & University, Professor, Hamilton Stiltwalker and Actor, Hamilton Arts Educator, Hamilton Claud Spadafora, Femmepire, Co-Artistic Stephanie Vegh, Hamilton Alex Roberts, Hamilton Director, Hamilton Tricia Cook, Hamilton Leah Abaza, Creative Director, Hamilton, Madeleine Krusto, Femmepire Co-General Dandelion Film Collective, Hamilton Adrienne Crossman, Visual Artist, Assistant Manager, Hamilton Sally McKay, Hamilton Professor, McMaster University and Board Michelle Bell, Painter, Hamilton Kit Elliott, Hamilton Co-Chair, Esther Hornsveld, Hamilton Lee Reed, Musician, Hamilton Hamilton Artists Inc, Hamilton Kelsey Burns, Hamilton Ashley Grace, Hamilton Nicole Levaque, Dundas Kelsea, Hamilton Anne Savage, Clear Creek, Ontario Gareth Inkster, Musician, Hamilton Haley Reap, Props Builder/Fabricator for Nicole Knibb, McMaster Museum of Art, Tara Bursey, Artist, Curator, Educator, theatre and film, Hamilton Senior Education Officer, Hamilton Hamilton Jane Hill, President IATSE Local 828, Anonymous, Hamilton Shellie, Artist, Arts Worker, member of Hamilton Dina Catalucci, Hamilton Friends of Chinatown TO, Toronto Hannah Uzelac, Hamilton Connor Bennett, HAVN (Hamilton Audio Carly Billings, Artist, Small Business Owner, Leah Janzen, Hamilton Visual Node), Hamilton Hamilton Sabine O’Donnell, Graduate student Ariel Bader-Shamai, Hamilton Allison Burda, Illustrator, Hamilton studying affordable housing, Hamilton Annie Webber, Hamilton Nadine Kalinauskas, Writer; Animation Melissa Stenhouse, Hamilton Gabriel Baribeau, Hamilton Producer, Hamilton Samille Elliston, Arts Educator, Hamilton Mariel Rutherford, Hamilton Kayla Whitney, Owner, Lead Artist and Dominique Cheshire, Artist Contributor, C. Laganse, Hamilton Muralist, Koe Design Studio, Hamilton Oakville Katie McDonald, Hamilton Morris Fox, Artist, Greater Toronto Area Kay Pollock, Food stylist, Hamilton Elia Hamelin, Hamilton Stephanie Springgay, Associate Professor, Nadine Rainville, Hamilton Matt Carson, Auteur Research Inc, McMaster, Hamilton/Toronto Jacques Hypolite, Newer Perspective Hamilton Sonjia McEachin, Hamilton Consulting, Hamilton Ava Muir, Auteur Research, Publicist, Briana Palmer, Artist, Hamilton Amber Wood, Actor, Storytime Leader, Hamilton Judy Major-Girardin, Artist/ Educator, Hamilton Jessica, Toronto Working at McMaster University Natalie Castellino, Producer, Hamilton Jessica Glegg, Hamilton Ava Muir, Auteur Research, Publicist, Andrea Pohlmann, Hamilton Jason Jillard, Hamilton Hamilton A. E. Clayton, Photographer, Hamilton Adam Bentley, Auteur Research, Hamilton Sumanth Shankar, Professor, Hamilton Nina Hartt, Theatre Props Teacher, Nicole Maga, Hamilton Aaron Hutchinson, Artist, Hamilton Scarborough Elise Arsenault, Hamilton Nina Degner, Hairstylist, Hamilton Stephanie Seagram, Artist, independent, David Schuurman, Hamilton Marin Hudson, Creative Lead/Small Hamilton Jessica, Toronto Business Owner, Hamilton Julia McMahon, Childcare/education/art, Alana Traficante, Advisory Board - Dorian Batycka, Hamilton Hamilton McMaster Museum of Art Keisha Neoma Quinn, Sculptor, Hamilton Melissa Neil, Visual Artist/Arts Sara Froese, Hamilton Emma, RE-create outreach worker, administrator, Hamilton Tom Aagaard, Hamilton Hamilton Danielle Hitchcock, Twin Design + Art Rebekah Driegen, Hamilton Emma Donahue, Hamilton Direction, Principal + Creative Director, Nicole Levaque, Dundas Justice Deschamps, Artist, Hamilton Hamilton Mark Laurin, Hamilton Kojo Easy Damptey, Musician, Hamilton Jacob Playfair, Hamilton Avery Brooks-Joinee, Hamilton Eugenia Zuroski, Professor and writer, Elisabetta Paiano, designer & digital JoJo Chooi-Harley, Family Service Worker - Hamilton communicator, Hamilton Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society, Setareh Masoumbeiki, Bambook Children’s Jennifer Budd, Théma Arts Academy, Hamilton House, Hamilton Owner, Hamilton Shane Cabral, Hamilton Alison Pipe, Hamilton Eleni jalbout, Hamilton Simone Blain, Painter, Hamilton Miles Oreskovic, Hamilton Gabriela Barreira, Hamilton Caroline Murakami, Tattooer, Hamilton Zakiyya Thurston, OUTRAGED, Toronto Meaghan Duffy, External supporter & Jeff Low, Musician, Hamilton Josh Parsons, Writer, Hamilton resident of Hamilton, Hamilton Michael Vickers, Akin Co-Director, Artist, Daya Williams, GOODBODYFEEL, Client Kate Hunter, Hamilton Hamilton Relations Advisor, Hamilton Andrea Blakey, Actor, stand-up comic, Sean Johnston, Barber/artist, Hamilton ON Laura Katz, Hamilton event organizer, Hamilton Jordyn Stewart, BOD - Hamilton Artists Alexandra Blumas, Musician, Hamilton Nicole Levaque, Hamilton Inc., Grimsby Richelle Sibolboro, Factory Media Centre, Julie Marquis, Graphic Artist, Visual Artist, CC Benz, Hamilton Hamilton Community Event Organizer, Instructor, Cadence Underhill, St. Catharines Erica Love-Jones, Poet, photographer, Hamilton Pat Varanesi, Hamilton barista, Hamilton Alecia Korkowski, Hamilton Amelia Herman, Hamilton Harlee Mackenzie, Hamilton Marie Treasa Levasseur, Artist, educator, Brian Morton, Artistic Director, Theatre Hayet Coghlan, Hamilton voter, Hamilton Ward 3 Erebus, Hamilton, Ken Inouye, Promoter, Hamilton Marita Linde, Hamilton Laura, Hamilton Alexa MacKenzie, Artist and Prop Builder, Brittany Hersey, Hamilton Christina Sisti, Illustrator & Designer, part- Hamilton Rachael Henderson, Professional time bartender, Hamilton Laura Sorbara, Retail shop on James N; DJ/Holistic Nutritionist, Hamilton Rachel, Hamilton artist, Hamilton Danielle Plester, Hamilton Seema Narula, Hamilton Samantha Province, Artist, St. Catharines Jen Hsieh, Illustrator, Hamilton Naomi Mendes-Pouget, Hamilton Shauna Taylor, Board member, Hamilton Mallorie Edward, Hamilton Stephanie Nikita, Graphic designer, Nick Grottick, Hamilton Rucha Patel, Movement and meditation Hamilton Olivia, Writer, Hamilton facilitator with GoodBodyFeel, Hamilton Brodie Chree, Audio-visual artist, Jacob Guinney, Hunter, Hamilton Christina Tarsitano, Hamilton technician and IT worker, Hamilton Andres Miramontes, Artist, Hamilton Janet Kompare-Fritz, Hamilton Amber Boyle, Hospitality/Bartender, Natasha Turner, Hamilton Annie Shaw, Musician, cultural worker, Hamilton Maria Rowley, Volunteer & client services Hamilton Michael Srbljanin, Hamilton coordinator, Hamilton Laura Malysewich, Hamilton Rebecca, Arts Administration, Hamilton Kerry Turcotte, Potter, be|ware pottery, Madison Broomfield, Hamilton Mac Dexter, Hamilton Hamilton Danielle Hinchberger, Hamilton Jessica Elves, Freelance Artist, Hamilton Kiera Boult, Cultural worker/Artist, Leah Faieta, Arts Consultant, Hamilton Francesca Morreale, Strangewaves Music Hamilton Nina Drenth, Collage artist, Hamilton & Arts Festival Organizer, Hamilton Artists Kara Jongeling, Artist, Hamilton Mike Kennedy, Woodworker, Hamilton Inc. Volunteer, Hamilton Szandra Szilvassy, Retail - Hamilton Kat Gomboc, Owner & artist at Sleepy Harlee, Hamilton Antique Mall, Hamilton Bones Tattoo, Hamilton Kevyn: Wright, Hamilton Shawn Selway, writer, Hamilton Tara Urekar, Artist, concerned citizen, Tom Altobelli, Musician, Hamilton Jim Ruxton, Artist/Engineer, Hamilton Hamilton Jocelyn Russell, Local Musician, Hamilton Elizabeth Simpson, Needlework, Hamilton Jessi Elgersma, Hamilton Adrian Murchison, Derek Jenkins, Filmmaker, Hamilton Jamie Lawson, Artist / Designer, Hamilton Singer/songwriter/member of Bad Dates, Erika McMeekin, Club owner, Sous Bas, Jacqui Oakley, Freelance Illustrator, The Inflation Kills, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Hamilton Hamilton Pneumatic Transit, Hamilton Ingrid Mayrhofer, Red Tree Artists’ Bronwyn Bataillard-Flaherty, Visual artist, David Crosbie, Musician, Hamilton Collective, Hamilton Hamilton Kevin Sooley, Hammer City Samba, Bernadette Rule, writer, retired teacher, Amanda Jansen, Musician, Hamilton Member, Hamilton Dundas Emma, Graphic Designer, Hamilton Joshua Holt, Musician, Hamilton Alex Perna, Copywriter, Hamilton Sam Tyson, Tattoo artist, Hamilton Becky Katz, Freelance artist and art Kira James, Toronto Nimal Agalawatte, Audio Engineer and educator, Hamilton Daniella Lato, Hamilton Musician, Hamilton Samantha Muir, Hamilton Alexandra Blumas, Musician, Dancer, Matt Jelly, Designer/Illustrator, Jelly Bros., David Nardi, Hamilton Hamilton Hamilton Tessa Dundas, Hamilton Ryan Strang, Hamilton Lee McPherson, Bones Below, Hamilton Radha S. Menon, Red Betty Theatre Artistic Ben Cullimore, DJ and Musician, Hamilton Artist, Hamilton Director & Founder, Hamilton Stacy Mitchell, Hamilton Ashley Constant, Freelancer, Hamilton Gabriel Baribeau, Hamilton Alicia Knight, Hamilton Steve Corneil, Graphic and web designer; Victoria Cox, Artist contributor, Hamilton Taylor Greer, Independent Artist, Hamilton musician, Hamilton Kearon Roy Taylor, Designer and Lecturer, Jessica Hannigan, Hamilton Maura Amadea Priebe, Wellness & Toronto Skyler Barclay, Hamilton Movement teacher, Hamilton Abby Adjekum, Hamilton Sarah Sproule, Artist, cultural worker, Rachel Dagostino, Hamilton Evelyn Charlotte-Joe, Musician, Educator, Hamilton Dahlia Kubeia, Moon and Matter, Artist, Hamilton Amara Spragon, Hamilton Hamilton Riley Mitchison, Video Editor, Musician, Lauren Glegg, Hamilton Diane, Hamilton Hamilton & Toronto Ben Needham, Hamilton Nathalie Cortes, Visual Artist, Margot Corbin, Nurse, Hamilton Sara Ghahramani, Visual Artist, Hamilton Photographer, Hamilton Caitlin Molony, Stoney Creek Peter Kirkland, Artist, Hamilton Mary Anne Grant, Hamilton Jeremy Freiburger, Cultural worker, Babak Lakghomi, Writer, Hamilton Phoebe Underhill, Artist & Musician, Hamilton Zachary Thompson, Hamilton Review of Hamilton Leo Dragtoe, Hamilton Books, contributor, Hamilton Meghan Schuurman, Community artist, Siobhan Murphy, Artist Chelsea MacDonald, Hamilton Hamilton Representative/Assistant and freelance Melanie Skene, Artist/Puppeteer, Dundas Hannah Duckworth, Freelance Illustrator, writer, Hamilton Kristina Durka, Hamilton Hamilton Shelby Hebert, Performance Artist, Pip, Musician, Hamilton Nathaniel Kosub, Musician, Hamilton Hamilton Trisha Leigh Lavoie, Hamilton Tarek Al-Ajak, Hamilton Leslie Sasaki, Professor of Art Matt Innes-Leroux, Associate producer Hayley Evans, Social worker, Hamilton Fundamentals, Sheridan College, retired, (TV/broadcast), Hamilton Leo Lathy Kheng, Hamilton Hamilton Mike Trebilcock, Film Composer, Hamilton Christine Rigby, Hamilton Charlie Star, artist and arts educator, Sarah Duncan, Hamilton Katharine Reeds, Hamilton Hamilton Kobi Annobil, Musician, Hamilton Elysse Cook, Tattooer, Hamilton Matthew Walker, Object Maker/Artist, Rick Roberts, Actor, Playwright, Hamilton Thea Haines, Artist/educator, Hamilton Hamilton Dave Hind, Thingmaker, Hamilton Sophie Harrison, Oakville Shanice Bowrin, Actor, Hamilton Heather South, Hamilton and everywhere Justin Aitcheson, Graphic Designer, Andrea Flockhart, Artist, Hamilton Kody Laskowski, Hamilton Hamilton Alysha Main, DJ, Music Supervisor, Amy Mcintosh, Hamilton Colline Do, Hamilton Hamilton Daniel Troup, Hamilton Kellie McKibbon, Hamilton Chris Altmann, Musician, Hamilton Shawn Everett, Hamilton Erin Gilkes, Hamilton James Vander Zaag, Musician, Hamilton Margaret Bárdos, Singer/Actor, Hamilton Brian Thwaits, Hamilton Emily Jackson, Hamilton Rebekah Clayton, Hamilton Jane Lee, Hamilton Olivia Mossuto, Artist, Hamilton Jennifer Wylie-Martin, Hamilton Niv Shimshon, Photographer, Hamilton Marisa Casini, Hamilton Lydia Santia, Artist, Hamilton Emma Moeller, Hamilton Connor George, Hamilton Ashley Moore, Hamilton Stephanie Park, theatrical clown / stilts, Hannah MacDonald, Hamilton Paula Grove, Artist and Arts Teacher, Hamilton Sean Procyk, Playground designer, Hamilton Heidi Branton, Hamilton Hamilton Jacquelyn West, Culture Worker, Toronto Kris Traherne, Dundas Amanda Dudnik, Artist & Arts Jacob Tutt, Playhouse Cinema, Owner, Denise Montgomery, Hamilton Administrator, Hamilton Hamilton Rachelle Letain, Graphic Designer, Micaela Molina Morales, Student, Toronto Owen Ford, Visual Artist, former board Hamilton TJ Charlton, Hamilton member, Hamilton Artists Inc., Dundas Matthew Dickie, Hamilton Greg Santilly, Musician, Hamilton Kyle Donnelly, Hamilton Elizabeth McQueen, Visual Artist, Dundas Terrance Odette, Flimmaker, Hamilton Patrick Brennan, Arts Manager, Hamilton Michelle Gibson, Hamilton Katie McDonald, Hamilton Beth de Jong, Hamilton Musician and Krista Hull, Hamilton Shanika Lewis-Waddell, Singer-Songwriter, Artist, Hamilton Ben Robinson, Writer, Hamilton Toronto Ann Hayes, Concerned resident, Hamilton Katherine Diemert, Artist, Hamilton Trevor Copp, Theatre, Hamilton Cadence Machry, Creative Heart Space, Elizabeth McQueen, Visual Artist, Dundas BA Johnston, Hamilton Hamilton Alyssa Zilney, Hamilton Susan Moore, Hamilton Tara Ann Noel, Hamilton Claire Anderson, Artist / Sculptor, Hamilton Tom Lawlor, Artist, Production, Hamilton Bailey Duff, Hamilton Ayda Ghaffari, Art Educator, Toronto Noelle Allen, Wolsak and Wynn, Publisher, Geoff Ball, Musician/teacher, Hamilton Will Allen, Hamilton Hamilton Tyler Tekatch, Dundas Theresa Keast, Volunteer Coordinator, Jim Riley, Visual and Media Artist, Chris Hampton, Hamilton Hamilton Hamilton Wendy Bush, Artist/ Social Worker, Jennifer Kneulman, Self employed Marie Zilik, Retired, Hamiltonian, Hamilton Hamilton designer, Hamilton C. Field, Scenic Artist & Props Builder, Julie “Fazooli” Marquis, Graphic Artist, Austin Ruffo, Hamilton IATSE Local 828, Hamilton Hamilton Geovanna Longo, Dundas Monika C, Performance Artist, Hamilton A. Taylor, Hamilton North Arts Council, Laura Konyndyk, Illustrator/Artist, Dallas Walzak, Strangewaves, Organizer, Hamilton Hamilton Hamilton Sameen Mahboubi, Hamilton Dylan MacKenzie, Niagara Falls Angela Shlimon, Hamilton MaryAnn Hudecki Thompson, James MacNevin, Editor & Writer, Sarah L Cobden, English Teacher, Hamilton Dundas/Hamilton Hamilton Gregory Cruikshank, Actor, Hamilton Sarah Wilbore, Hamilton Andrea Flockhart, Artist, Hamilton Jasmine Cardenas, Visual artist/art Nicole Coleman, Causal artist, concerned Alexandra Berze, Hamilton educator, Hamilton citizen, Hamilton Alex Shimshon, Pastry Chef/Owner of Annette Paiement, Hamilton Daniel Empringham, Music Teacher, Kitchen Island, Hamilton Emily Brohman, Peterborough Hamilton Janet Kompare-Fritz, Actor - ACTRA/ Home Heidi Crocini, Hamilton Rufus Hickok, Writer, Hamilton Baker /educator with HWDSB, Hamilton Kay Chornook, Hamilton Irene Loughlin, Artist, Hamilton Nancy Leung, Artist Educator, Emma Cole, Book editor, Hamilton Maryanne Lemieux, Hamilton Psychotherapist, Hamilton Myke Hutchings, Musician, Hamilton Phoebe Taylor, Creative Director/Owner of Danielle Moed, Burlington Natalie Hunter, Visual Artist / Educator, Okay Shoe design studio, Hamilton Becky Katz, Strangewaves - Artistic Hamilton Kit Simmons, Artist Contributor, Hamilton Director, Hamilton Sara Wiseman, chocolatier, Hamilton Caitlin A Eady, Artist contributor - Group of Doug McBrien, Hamilton Maureen Selman, Hamilton 7 Billion, Hamilton Patti Randazzo Beckett, Hamilton Stephen Hudecki, Hamilton Michael Allgoewer, Visual artist, Hamilton Alejandro Tamayo, Artist and board Shari Dunn, Musician, Hamilton Austra Jerumanis, Design Artist, Hamilton member of Hamilton Artists Inc. (2018- Jenny Vasquez, Artist Contributor, Piper Hayes, Hamilton 2020), Hamilton Hamilton/Toronto Sean Gadoury, Artist, Group of 7 Billion, Laura Staios, Hamilton/Toronto Jessica Veter, Writer, Dundas Hamilton Janne Hackl, very concerned citizen, Jessica Lane, Classical Singer, Hamilton Kelly Wolf, Theatre Artist, Artist Educator, Binbrook Peter Bassmahon, Classical Singer, Hawiton Arts Outreach, Hamilton Yara El Safi, Artist, organizer and educator, Elizabeth Seidl, Artist & Designer, Hamilton Ashley Feldman, Hamilton Hamilton Nicole Brady, Hamilton Samantha Emmerson, Retired, Hamilton Andrew O’Connor, Hamilton Matthew MacFadzean, Artist, Hamilton Margaret Kelly, Artist/Designer-Wolf Ann Martin, Hamilton Dottir, Hamilton Corina Spicer, Hamilton Risa Maldonado, Movement educator, Margaret Juraj, Concerned citizen who Hamilton supports arts, music, Hamilton CEARA Holditch, Hamilton Leanne Palmerston, Hamilton Abby Adjekum, Artist, Hamilton Jazmyn Pettigrew, Artist, Guelph Sandra Smith, Technician, Hamilton Jade Kosub, Hamilton Arlene Fox, Retired, still a dressmaker, Sarah Ollerhead, Illustrator & Graphic Dundas Designer, Hamilton Dan Mongeon, Hamilton Cassandra Hutt, Hamilton Carol, Visual Artist, Hamilton Tyler Berglund, Doors: Taco Joint Metal Sharon Ormerod, Visual Artist, Hamilton Bar, Owner, Hamilton Lindi Zamisa, Spoken word, Hamilton Olga Kirgidis, Hamilton Lindsey Jacobs, Graphic Designer, Hamilton Allison Warwick, Hamilton Jennifer Morse, Hamilton Megan Tedesco, Hamilton Stephanie Spears, Hamilton Tara Ohri, Hamilton Thomas Murphy, ESL Teacher, Hamilton Denise Montgomery, Hamilton Tao-Ming Lau, Blue Crane Agency, Christopher Clause, Musician and Worship Hamilton Pastor, Hamilton Alexis Brown, Fashion designer, Hamilton Melissa Murray-Mutch, Actor, Arts Annie de Grey, Hamilton Educator, Producer, Hamilton Emma, 2D designer at Taqqut productions, Atlas, Hamilton Hamilton Norah Wakula, Hamilton Carl Vernon, Hamilton John Bentley, Hamilton Angelune Des Lauriers, Hamilton Tara-Lynn Morrison, Hamilton Jesse Horvath, Arts Educator, Hamilton Toni-Marie Griffi, Hamilton Ashley Holden, Hamilton Larry Lewis, Musician/Writer, Toronto Alex Berze, Hamilton Florencia Berinstein, Hamilton Bryce Kanbara, artist, Hamilton Carlyn Rhamey, Multidisciplinary Artist, Ryan Ferguson, Artist, Arts Worker, Hamilton Hamilton Marci Katz, Hamilton Robin Zee, Hamilton Erin Aurich, Artist Contributor, Hamilton Laine Groeneweg, Artist / Owner & Taras Hemon, Hamilton Founder of Smokestack Studio, Hamilton Jay Shand, Artist Contributor, 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 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,” Hamilton’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-homelessness-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. Teviah 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. Teviah 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 Housing 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-1.5061326 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-hamilton.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,” Association of Municipalities Ontario, August 14, 2019.