Make Hamilton Better: How You Can Impact Crime, Housing, Pollution & Property Taxes (Part 2)
6 Ways to Make a Difference in Hamilton Today
| 6 Ways to Make a Difference in Hamilton Today | |
|---|---|
| Learn | Learn about the issues in Hamilton and how city council works. You’ve already started this one since you’re reading about it right now in this blog post! You can also read our previous blog post, which dives into this checklist in more detail. |
| Find your ward and city councilor | Find your Ward: Hamilton has 15. Find Your Councilor: Once you’ve determined which ward you are a part of, you can find your councilor. |
| Speak up | Speak up about issues in the city that you care about. You can: Contact Your City Councilor Attend a Meeting at Hamilton City Hall Speak at a City Council Meeting Watch a Hamilton City Council or Committee Meeting Onlin |
| Stay informed | Keep up-to-date on local news through a variety of channels like CHCH News, The Hamilton Spectator, and follow the City of Hamilton on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Join discussions and fill out surveys about city projects on Engage Hamilton. |
| Vote | Mark October 26, 2026, on your calendar for the next municipal election. To prepare for voting, you should: Register as a voter. Research candidates running in the next Hamilton municipal election. You can learn more about who you’ll be voting for in part 1 of this blog post. Vote in the Hamilton municipal election on October 26, 2026. |
| Volunteer | Join or host a community cleanup. You can do so through Hamilton’s “Team Up to Clean Up” program, as an example. Volunteer at a local non-profit like Hamilton’s Out of the Cold or Good Shepherd, as a few examples. There are a ton of issues to tackle in Hamilton through volunteering. Which one interests you? |
You Have the Power to Change Hamilton’s Top Issues
Do you ever feel frustrated about issues like crime, homelessness, litter in parks, or high property taxes in Hamilton?
The truth is, you have more power than you think to make a difference in your community. Hamilton’s local government—led by the mayor and city councilors—handles these big challenges.
But they can’t solve them alone.
Whether it’s attending a council meeting, volunteering for a local cleanup, or sharing your ideas online, your participation can shape Hamilton into a better place for everyone.
And getting involved isn’t just easy—it’s rewarding.
Your Voice Matters
Let’s start with a real story. Meet Dana Stevenson, a long-time east-end Hamilton resident who became frustrated by the black soot in her neighborhood in early October of 2024. She found herself having to scrub items in her backyard, and even wash her dog’s feet after walks, due to the “grime” that coated the community.
Instead of staying silent, Dana and her neighbors spoke up. They filed over 500 complaints about dust, grime, and odors with city council and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment. Their persistence paid off:
A research project called “What’s the Grime” by McMaster University's Dr. Sarah Styler and Environment Hamilton involves sampling "dust fall" from lower-city Hamilton in order to let people know what it contains.
Thanks to Dana and her neighbors, Hamilton is taking steps to improve air quality and reduce pollution in local neighborhoods. Dana’s story is proof that when residents speak up, change happens.
Hamilton’s Top Issues—and How You Can Help
Here are some of Hamilton’s biggest challenges for 2024. We dive into what the city is doing about these problems and how residents can make an impact:
1. Crime: Keeping Hamilton Safe
| What is the City Doing About Crime in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| ACTION Unit | Increased patrols in areas like downtown Hamilton to address street-level crime. |
| Crisis Outreach Teams | Mental health professionals work with police to assist people in crisis. |
| Crisis Response Unit (CRU) | includes the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) and Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT), which involves the Hamilton Police Services collaborating with mental health professionals to respond to calls involving individuals in mental health crises. This helps to reduce the strain on Hamilton Police Services and connects people to the help they need. |
| The ‘Hamilton Drug Strategy’ | offers community events and workshops. In addition, the strategy involves Hamilton Public Health Services collaborating with Hamilton Paramedic Services, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and community partners to provide timely opioid-related information to the public. The public health department also works closely with law enforcement to support people struggling with addiction. |
| What You Can Do About Crime in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Join Public Safety Meetings | Share your concerns directly with councilors at City Hall meetings. |
| Use the Crime Mapping Tool | Stay informed about crime trends in your area and report suspicious activity. |
| Volunteer for Park Cleanups | Volunteer to create cleaner, safer parks for everyone. |
2. Homelessness: Finding Solutions for Those in Need
| What is the City Doing About Homelessness in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Tiny Shelters Project | Small, heated cabins provide a safer alternative to tents and are designed to “help individuals regain control of their lives and work towards stability.” |
| More Shelter Beds | The city is planning on opening 192 new shelter spaces at various places throughout the community in order to reduce reliance on encampments, as part of a new multi-million dollar plan. |
| Encampment Bans in Specific Parks | Hamilton City Council voted to remove encampments from a number of parks and green spaces once shelter beds are ready. |
| Encampment Response Protocol | Outreach workers help connect individuals to housing and support services (read more below). |
Hamilton’s Encampment Response Protocol:
Outreach workers help connect individuals to housing and support services:
Receiving the Report: Upon receiving a report, the ‘Encampment Response Team’ assesses the encampment to understand its size, location, and the specific needs of its residents.
Outreach: Street outreach workers engage with encampment residents to assess their individual health and social needs. They offer support services and work to transition individuals to safer, more humane, and legal accommodations.
Provision of Services: Residents are offered access to shelter spaces, housing support, and other necessary services. The goal is to provide appropriate indoor space when available.
Notice to Vacate: If relocation is necessary, residents are provided with notice, allowing time to collect personal belongings and make arrangements. The city ensures that all individuals have been assessed and offered support before scheduling the clearing of an encampment site.
Voluntary Compliance: The city seeks voluntary compliance from encampment residents to vacate the area, emphasizing support and assistance rather than enforcement.
Enforcement: If residents do not comply voluntarily, municipal law enforcement may be involved in enforcing by-laws. The Hamilton Police Service may assist if necessary, aiming to avoid confrontation and prioritize safety.
Site Cleanup: Once vacated, the city arranges for the removal of any remaining belongings and debris, ensuring the area is cleaned and restored for public use.
| What You Can Do About Homlessness in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Report Encampments Compassionately | Use the city’s encampment team email unsheltered@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2828 to ensure support reaches those in need. |
| Volunteer | The following organizations in Hamilton work to support the homeless: Good Shepherd, Wesley Urban Ministries, Mission Services of Hamilton, Helping Hamilton’s Homeless, Hamilton Out of the Cold |
| Advocate for Housing | Attend council meetings to support policies that expand affordable housing. |
Support for Homeless in Hamilton:
| Resources & Support for Homelessness in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Emergency Shelters for Men | |
| Good Shepherd Men's Centre | Address: 135 Mary Street, Hamilton Phone: 905-528-9109 |
| Mission Services Men's Residence | Address: 400 King Street East, Hamilton Phone: 905-528-7635 |
| Salvation Army Booth Centre | Address: 94 York Boulevard, Hamilton Phone: 905-527-1444 |
| Emergency Shelters for Women | |
| Hamilton Mission Services - Emma’s Place | Address: 196 Wentworth Street North, Hamilton Hours: Daily, 9pm–9am Phone: 905-528-5100 (Press 8, then 3) |
| Good Shepherd - Mary's Place | Address: 20 Pearl Street North, Hamilton Crisis Line: 905-523-6277 Business Line: 905-540-8000 |
| Womankind Emergency Shelter | Address: 431 Whitney Ave, Hamilton Phone: 905-545-9100 |
| Emergency Shelters for Youth & Families | |
| Good Shepherd - Notre Dame House | Address: 14 Cannon Street West, Hamilton Phone: 905-308-8090 |
| Good Shepherd - Family Centre | Address: 143 Wentworth Street South, Hamilton Phone: 905-528-9442 |
| Shelters for Violence Against Women | |
| Good Shepherd - Martha House | Address: 25 Ray Street North, Hamilton Phone: 905-523-6277 or 905-523-8895 |
| Interval House Hamilton | Address: 630 Sanatorium Road, Hamilton Crisis Line: 905-387-8881 Business Line: 905-387-9959 |
| Mission Services Inasmuch House | Address: 196 Wentworth St N, Hamilton Crisis Line: 905-529-8600 Business Line: 905-529-8149 |
| Native Women's Centre | Address: 1900 King Street East, Hamilton Phone: 905-664-1114 |
| Mental Health & Addiction Services | |
| St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton | Offers a range of mental health and addiction services, including the Men's Addiction Service Hamilton (MASH) and the Womankind Addiction Service. |
| Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Hamilton | Provides community mental health programs, crisis intervention, and support services. Address: 131 John St S, Hamilton Phone: (905) 521-0090 |
| Warming Shelters | |
| Overnight Drop-In Space | According to Hamilton city councilors, a new "evening" drop-in space at the Mission Services Hamilton building will have room for 25 people effective December 1st, 2024. This is replacing the “warming bus” that ran in Hamilton previously. |
| Food Banks & Meal Programs | |
| Hamilton Food Share | A network of food banks and hot meal programs across the city. Address: 339 Barton St, Stoney Creek Phone: (905) 664-9065 |
| Hamilton Community Food Centre - Community Lunch | Provides freshly made meals at no cost. Dine-in and takeout options are available. Address: 310 Limeridge Road West, Unit 10, Hamilton Email: admin@n2ncentre.com Phone: 905-574-1334 ext. 200 |
3. Pollution: Keeping Hamilton Clean
| What is the City Doing About Pollution in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Litter-Collecting Machines | Use the city’s encampment team email unsheltered@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2828 to ensure support reaches those in need. |
| Hamilton Harbour Cleanup | The City of Hamilton is undertaking a number of projects to enhance Hamilton's Harbour. Randle Reef, for example, is a highly contaminated site. This cleanup will cost millions of dollars alone. |
| What You Can Do About Pollution in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Beautiful Alleys | a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to transforming Hamilton's alleyways into safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly spaces. Their cleanup events are open to the public, and participants are provided with necessary supplies such as garbage bags and gloves. Get involved by emailing hamiltonalleys@gmail.com or visiting their Facebook group for updates on upcoming events. You can also check out their website for more information. |
| Green Venture | Hamilton’s environmental education non-profit organization, focusing on practical solutions for sustainable living. They host neighborhood cleanups, tree planting, and educational workshops which residents can participate in. Visit their website or follow their YouTube channel for information on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. |
| Ocean Wise | Ocean Wise: a global conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. In Hamilton, they organize shoreline cleanups along Lake Ontario and its tributaries, removing litter from waterways and preventing pollution from entering the Great Lakes system. Residents can find local cleanup events and register through the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup website, a conservation initiative of Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada. |
| Report Litter or Illegal Dumping | Use the city’s online reporting tools to notify them about problem areas. You can report garbage on both public and private properties. |
| Adopt a Park | Take ownership of a local park by committing to regular cleanups. Responsibilities include things like picking up litter, raking leaves, reporting and/or removing graffiti, pulling weeds, etc. |
4. High Property Taxes: Keeping Housing Affordable
| What is the City Doing about High Property Taxes in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Tax Deferral Programs | Seniors and low-income residents can apply to defer or reduce their property taxes. There is also something called a “compassionate appeal,” for those who suffer from a extreme sickness or poverty. |
| Keeping Residents Informed | Public consultations are held by the Hamilton City Council to ensure tax dollars are spent effectively. Residents can get involved by attending meetings or responding to surveys through Engage Hamilton. |
| What You Can Do About High Property Taxes in Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| Stay Up-To-Date on Budget Decisions | Read the local news (like CHCH or the Hamilton Spectator), follow the City of Hamilton (and your councilors) on social media. You can also email councilors about your concerns, holding city council accountable. |
| Attend Budget Meetings | Share your thoughts on how tax dollars should be spent by attending meetings or responding to surveys through Engage Hamilton. |
| Vote in the Municipal Election | Elect councilors who prioritize housing affordability and have a clear plan for how to help the housing crisis in Hamilton. You can vote for Hamilton city council in the next municipal election coming October 2026. |
Breaking Down Barriers to Participation
Think getting involved in your local government is too hard or time-consuming? Think again. Here’s how to overcome common barriers:
“I’m too busy.” Solution: Follow the City of Hamilton on social media to stay up to date on news without having to carve out a ton of time in your day.
“I don’t know where to start.” Solution: Start small by checking out Engage Hamilton or watching a past city council meeting virtually.
“Government stuff is confusing.” Solution: As a Hamilton taxpayer, it’s important to remember that City Council members technically work for you. Since you pay property taxes, it’s their job to listen to your concerns and make decisions that best reflect the community’s wishes. Don’t be afraid to get involved, councilors wants and need your input!
Hamilton Needs You
We all want cleaner parks, safer streets, and better public spaces—but these changes don’t happen on their own. When you speak up, show up, or even just report an issue, you’re helping to build a better Hamilton.
Whether it’s attending one meeting, sending one email, or voting in the next Hamilton municipal election, your voice matters. Together, we can shape Hamilton’s future.
Stay tuned for part 3 of this blog post series, where we’ll dive into Hamilton’s city budget and how YOU can influence where your tax dollars go.
360HAMILTON
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