After fire at residence, Hamilton YMCA is rethinking how it helps people facing homelessness

The fire at the YMCA in Hamilton's downtown branch last month is prompting the charity to rethink how it helps people experiencing homelessness in the city, according to its chief executive officer.

"We can't sustain this model," Manny Figueiredo told CBC Hamilton, referring to the transitional housing the YMCA has been providing. 

"This crisis has created an opportunity to help men find the best spaces."

On July 22, a fire on the third floor of the building on James Street South displaced 173 tenants. On Friday, 42 of them returned to their units as restoration efforts continue.

The tenants are part of the men's residence program, which offers affordable housing and supports "men at risk," who face health and social challenges. The housing is supposed to be transitional, but some people have stayed for years. Monthly rent is roughly $455.

Figueiredo said most residents have disabilities, mental illness or addiction issues, do not have a family doctor and receive financial support like Ontario Works.

Over 20 residents have died since 2022

He said while most tenants would say the YMCA's program is better than living on the streets, the conditions aren't ideal.

Just one of the 174 spots are vacant. The wait list usually includes over 220 people. There are no kitchens. People have to share washrooms and showers.

The units were built in the 1950s and there are no wraparound supports to offer health care and mental health care, according to Figueiredo.

Last year, while delegating to the city's emergency and community services committee, Figueiredo said over 20 men have died in their sleep while staying at the charity since March 2022 due to various health issues they face.

"Yes they have a roof, but those aren't positive health outcomes … we're not dealing with the root cause," he told CBC Hamilton on Friday.

"We have men who need different solutions," Figueiredo said, adding he's unsure about whether it's worth restoring the building's third floor after the fire.

In 2023, he said it would cost roughly $1 million per year "to put Band-Aids on what we have" and maintain the units in their condition at the time.

'We want to play a role, but we can't do it alone'

He said 30 tenants have gone to residential care facilities since the fire and are exploring options to stay permanently because they can offer the men more support. Those facilities came under scrutiny earlier this year during an inquest into the death of a former resident of one. 

Figueiredo said YMCA has looked at other organizations like Mission Services, Good Shepherd and Waterloo's House of Friendship to compare the services they offer. 

The Waterloo non-profit caught his eye with its ShelterCare model, which serves 100 people experiencing chronic homelessness with 24/7 care and support, including onsite health care, addiction and mental health supports.

It houses people in a former Comfort Inn it bought in 2021, which includes a kitchen, community rooms and a health-care clinic.

Figueiredo said the funding model includes some money from local hospitals, the municipality and fundraising.

Hamilton's YMCA doesn't receive annual operating funds from the city.

"We can't always guarantee we can assist but I think it's important we have a more holistic vision as to what's transpiring in our community, especially when it comes to transitional housing and homelessness and emergency shelters," Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark said back in 2023 after Figueiredo's delegation.

Figueiredo said YMCA will keep exploring other models this fall.

The goal is to find a new building within the next seven years and ideally operate under a new model. That plan was in place even before the fire. 

"We want to play a role, but we can't do it alone," Figueiredo said.