🧵 Highlights from "Who Will Swing the Hammer?" - a Hamilton Housing Report by @SP_Inst, supported by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce & @WestEndHBA. Join our Report Launch breakfast on May 17 at Liuna Station, sponsored by @AlineaGHI: hamiltonchamber.ca/events/who-wil… #HamOnt
Metro Hamilton (Hamilton, Burlington, and Grimsby) is facing a paradox: it needs to double home building to address a housing shortage and accommodate population growth, yet high home prices and rents risks pricing out the workers needed to build those homes.
With an aging population, the region must attract and retain experienced workers to replace those retiring. It will need healthcare workers to care for an aging population and education workers to ensure Hamilton is a viable option for families with children.
Hamilton’s economic prosperity and ability to ensure enough social services for an aging population requires a substantial increase in family-friendly housing so that the next generation of workers can live in the city.
Based on data from the Canadian Housing Survey, housing availability is the primary driver of migration in the Hamilton area. The most common reason for people in Hamilton to move is to upgrade to a larger or better quality dwelling for existing homeowners.
To determine Hamilton’s competitiveness with other Canadian communities when it comes to attracting and retaining workers, the @SP_Inst examines four case studies in its latest report, "Who Will Swing the Hammer?" Meet Sabrina, Tony & Gabrielle, Matthew & Laura, and Sunny & Ali.
Sabrina: Looking for a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Hamilton. City of Hamilton and Burlington are attractive locations for high-skilled workers without children.
Tony & Gabrielle: Want to live in an average, single-detached. Even with good incomes, this mid-career family would be in core-housing need were they to buy today. Communities such as Calgary, Halifax, & Lndn would provide much lower housing costs and comparable or higher wages.
Matthew & Laura: Looking to buy a townhouse. This family would also get priced out of Metro Hamilton. They may move to a community like Brantford or London, or look for opportunities in Ottawa, Calgary, and Halifax - which would see their salaries go further.
Sunny & Ali: Looking to move out and buy a townhouse. Burlington and Hamilton remain good choices for this pair until they consider having children and moving into a more child-friendly unit.