'Start thinking in innovative ways': Cambridge councillor pushing for new idea to tackle affordable housing crisis
A Cambridge city councillor is calling for a new way to tackle the local affordable housing crisis.
Ward 7 councillor Scott Hamilton plans to bring a motion to city council on Dec. 19 to ask staff to look at the possibility of building affordable housing over above-ground city parking lots.
"You save the parking spaces underneath, but you provide that much needed housing for the community while also finding a way to get more people living downtown," said Coun. Hamilton.
Hamilton citing that there are around 8,000 people on a wait list for affordable homes in Waterloo Region, with 1,500 families in Cambridge alone looking for housing.
He also plans to ask the question of whether the project would fall under the Affordable Housing Plan to develop 500 new homes per year.
His proposal to council stems from the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in the city.
"This crisis is not new, it's been going on for a very long time and so if we want to try and get ourselves out of these old long-standing problems, we have to start thinking in new innovative and exciting ways," said Coun. Hamilton.
He adds that it’s about time to start utilizing space that is often overlooked.
"So it's really taking an urban core area that's completely underutilized [and] making it much more useful," said Coun. Hamilton.
The message is echoed by Executive Director of the Cambridge Shelter Corporation Wayne Paddick.
“I think it’s a neat idea as we seem to be running out of land to build on,” said Paddick in an email statement to CTV News. “Building upwards over existing space would open new doors for housing, but it means city council getting in on the housing game.”
While there is already housing over above-ground parking spaces, this initiative would be the first to use existing parking lots.
"There are lots of these examples in our community already, so I don't think the safety of the structure is of any concern,” said Coun. Hamilton. “Out of all the lots in the downtown cores of Cambridge, there will be some viable candidates."
The idea has sparked mixed reactions from the community.
"If we run out of land, you only can go up or down, and they're going more so up," said Cambridge resident Bruce Hatch.
"I just don't think it's going to be working out so well, one thing for the noise…cars coming in and out…fumes," said Cambridge resident Kathy Pharoah.
Hamilton hopes his proposal will turn over a new leaf in how both Cambridge and other municipalities tackle housing.
"I'm hoping this can really catalyze this type of affordable housing to be used in the downtown cores of cities," said Coun. Hamilton.
“We support any affordable housing options in the city and region,” said Paddick . “We have so many participants who are ready for they forever home we simply don't have the available stock. We look forward to council's decision and hope that the outcome is positive for this innovate idea on city owned land.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5309015.1683576191!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
One person in hospital after falling from swing ride at Canada's Wonderland
One person has been hospitalized after falling from a swing ride at Canada's Wonderland.
Biden forcefully declares he's staying in re-election race in major news conference
U.S. President Joe Biden used his highly anticipated news conference Thursday to deliver a forceful defence of his foreign and domestic policies, and batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.
'A terrible tragedy': 4 dead in another multiple-fatality B.C. crash
A crash in Keremeos, B.C., Wednesday morning is the latest in a string of fatal collisions, this time claiming the lives of four people, Mounties say.
Trudeau says he still has 'full confidence' in Freeland, but has been talking to Carney
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he continues to have 'full confidence' in Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, but he's also been talking to Mark Carney about entering federal politics.
'An avoidable tragedy': Calgary woman charged after dog dies in hot car
A Calgary woman is facing charges for the death of her dog, which died after being left in a hot car on Canada Day.
Oilers star engaged to marry girlfriend after proposal in Spain
Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl is engaged to be married. The 28-year-old centre proposed to his girlfriend, actor Celeste Desjardins, who said yes. Both posted about the engagement Thursday to their Instagram accounts.
Benji Gregory, former child star on the '80s sitcom 'ALF,' dies at 46
Former child actor Benji Gregory, who played the young boy on the 1980s television sitcom 'ALF,' has died in suburban Phoenix. He was 46.
At least 200 crocodiles crawl into cities as heavy rains hit northern Mexico, near Texas
Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and the earlier Tropical Storm Alberto have led at least 200 crocodiles to enter urban areas in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas, state and federal authorities said this week.
Black bear 'wreaked havoc' on car after being locked inside, RCMP say
A black bear accidentally got locked in a car in Coquitlam Thursday, destroying the interior before being freed by police.