hero image

HATS

Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters

HATS is a practical response to the housing crisis in our community.

Latest News

We’re excited to share some updates on the progress of the HATS Tiny Home Village and Program over the past few months. Since early August, a core group of dedicated volunteers have been hard at work at our construction site, building several tiny homes that bring us closer to our goal of providing safe, supportive housing for those in need. At the September 18th council meeting, Hamilton City…

Keep Reading →

Dear Supporters and Friends of HATS, As we approach the end of the year, we want to extend our warmest holiday wishes to everyone. Your support has been the cornerstone of our efforts, and we are truly grateful for your dedication and generosity. It has been an evolving period for HATS since our decision not to proceed with the city-proposed Strachan site. Despite this, we've remained proactive…

Keep Reading →

In the symphony of compassion, sometimes a single note holds the mightiest power. We're pleased to present "Harmonies for HATS: A CD Song Fundraiser," featuring a one-song CD that resonates with unmatched depth and meaning. Despite its singular presence, this song holds the essence of hope, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of our cause. About the Song: "Christmas in the Hammer" - A True Story…

Keep Reading →

As we approach National Housing Day on November 22, the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) is proud to stand alongside communities nationwide in acknowledging the pivotal role housing plays in our lives. It's more than bricks and mortar; it's the cornerstone of stability, growth, and well-being for individuals and families. At the heart of our mission lies a deep-rooted belief: housing is…

Keep Reading →

As we draw closer to the holiday season, the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS), is launching our "Gift Bag for Christmas" collection initiative. This supports our ongoing partnership with the HUB, a Hamilton Nonprofit Organization working directly with unhoused individuals. We aim to collect 150 gift bags, each filled with critical essentials necessary for those unhoused. We are seeking…

Keep Reading →

We're reaching out to provide you with a brief update on our recent progress at the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS). We value your continued interest in our work and want to keep you informed. HATS is currently collaborating with the City to explore potential sites for a Pilot implementation, with a targeted timeline of mid-2024. This is a significant step in our commitment to…

Keep Reading →

Title: Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) Announces Decision Regarding Strachan Linear Park Site for Pilot Project Hamilton, [October 6th, 2023] - Having completed its due diligence, the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) Board of Directors, with the total support of its Leadership Team, unanimously voted not to proceed with its Pilot on the city proposed Strachan Linear Park site…

Keep Reading →

City of Hamilton General Issues Committee Meeting Monday, August 14th. City Staff will present the Encampment Protocol & Sanctioned Sites report. The report includes our Tiny Homes Program! The meeting is available for Live Streaming. Click here to watch on YouTube!

Keep Reading →

A group that aims to create a village of tiny cabins to help those struggling with homelessness in Hamilton has secured a $100,000 boost toward the cause. The Fairmount Foundation hopes to inspire other donors, founder Heidi Henschel says. “I know that this is not a perfect solution, but it’s one of the solutions, and I just see it as something that is valuable,” Henschel, who grew up in Hamilton…

Keep Reading →

HATS OPEN HOUSE Date and time: Saturday, June 3, 2023, 1 - 3 pm Location:  The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street S, Hamilton, ON How to get here: QEW exit Main St. toward County Road 8, turn right onto Dundurn St S Bus routes: 05, 10, 16, 17, 18, 40, 41,47 GO Bus: 16, 40 Parking: Please carpool where possible. Guest will be directed to Cable 14 parking lot ( 150 Dundurn St.S…

Keep Reading →

Super excited to finally share this! Just in time to get your mothers day gifts and in partnership with Cornell Performance Academy we have 30+ local vendors, live music with Chris Chambers kids corner with Learning with Lexi  refreshments and snacks with the Green Machine Food Truck. The first 50 people will receive gift bags and donations from the incredible vendors and much much more to…

Keep Reading →

22 more unhoused people have died in our city and it has to stop. We are part of the solution, a tiny home village with support services. We need your help! Please get in touch with us if you know of a site and please urge Hamilton City Council to support us by providing city owned land opportunities. Here is a helpful list of our Site Selection Criteria. Site Selection Criteria Preferred: Be…

Keep Reading →

You can learn more about the Kingston tiny home community on their Facebook page here. Dear Kingston, Yes…to the cabins in my backyard! I proudly live in the heart of Portsmouth Village! Proudly, because it is where Our Livable Solutions and the City of Kingston originally chose to create a supportive community for 10 cabins and a hub to support some of Kingston’s unhoused/unsupported community…

Keep Reading →

Get our monthly newsletter for important updates, and to hear about ways to become involved with HATS!  Click here to sign up!

Keep Reading →

Click here to watch the video!

Keep Reading →

Dear Neighbours, The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters would like to extend our appreciation to the many people who attended two community information sessions at Tim Horton's Field in November. We were seeking feedback on the proposal to create a small community of tiny cabins for people experiencing homelessness. Although there was a lot of interest and support for the idea and to assist…

Keep Reading →

Hamilton’s would-be tiny homes project can’t seem to find a home. The Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) hopes to create a village of small, heated cabins with communal washrooms and kitchens to provide transitional housing for residents living on the street. The grassroots alliance first eyed the former Sir John A. Macdonald school as a site but ran into political and timing obstacles…

Keep Reading →

You’re invited! February 18th, come by The Cotton Factory to enjoy Hamilton Aerial Group & Hamilton Winterfest Human Kind Cabaret! There will be aerial acts, live music, stilt walkers and circus theatre, as well as food by Nellie James. All proceeds from the Cabaret will be donated towards HATS. Tickets are available through: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../human-kind-cabaret

Keep Reading →

New year. New council. New beginnings. Now that all the new councillors know where the restrooms are and onboarding is complete, it’s time to get to work on the issues that are before us and see what kind of progress can be made in improving the lives of all people who live in Hamilton. Most immediate in the winter weather is the issue of shelter and respite from the cold. Over the holidays, the…

Keep Reading →

Watch this episode of the OShow!

Keep Reading →

Click to read the article and for more on our GoFundMe campaign.

Keep Reading →

HATS was at Supercrawl on the 9th of September to the 11th! We showcased one of our tiny shelters. It was great!

Keep Reading →

Inside-HATS-Cabin The demonstration cabin, donated by Stoney Creek shed builder In the Back Yard, showcases many of the features that the first 10 cabins will have once built: insulated walls and floor, a bed, a microwave and small fridge, a wall socket to charge a phone, a fire extinguisher. “They will be safe and warm,” says HATS president, Julia Kollek. “There will be a bolt on the inside, a…

Keep Reading →