Quick Escape 
November 22nd is National Housing Day.
Since 2016, women’s homelessness and precarious housing have increased significantly, with the most drastic spike following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
YWCA Hamilton has worked with all three levels of government to open over 120 beds, including drop-in, shelter and permanent, affordable housing units for women and families across the housing continuum in addition to our 65 transitional living and 3 reproductive care beds.
The need has continued to grow – but so do our solutions.
In 2021, YWCA Hamilton purchased a property at Barton and Ottawa Streets that had been vacant for many years.
We are now embarking on a consequential and much-needed project to turn the building – currently called The Oakwood Project – into supportive, transitional housing for women, gender-diverse people, and families who have experienced violence and homelessnesss:
The Oakwood Project will host 90 housing units. 30 units will be designated for women-led families, with multiple bedrooms, while 60 units will be designated for single women. Oakwood will act as a respite for residents for 1-2 years after experiencing violence, or having spent time in encampments, where they can rebuild their confidence, skills and receive support to live fulfilling lives.
This decision to embark on another ambitious building project is aligned with YWCA Hamilton’s values and work as an organization. We know that transitional housing is desperately needed in Hamilton, particularly in light of the rising rates of femicide in our province and across the country. Women, gender-diverse people, and families who have experienced violence need safe places to heal and to stop the cycle of violence and homelessness.
YWCA Hamilton has begun community outreach in the adjacent neighbourhoods, and will keep residents and businesses in the area updated as our building process unfolds. Our goal is to open the doors of Oakwood Place sometime in 2027.
In the new year, we will be sharing more information about the project’s evolution, timeline and other services to be offered in the building. To keep informed, please sign up here.
If you have any questions, please ask here.