September 11, 2020 by Dan Taekema

While Metrolinx says it plans to begin demolishing 21 vacant properties along Hamilton’s former LRT route “for safety’s sake”, advocates and tenants say vacant buildings should be turned into affordable housing.

For its part, Metrolinx says the demolition is necessary given the “precarious state of the buildings” and the anticipated cost of making them suitable homes.

Sharon Miller, a tenant who lives in a Metrolinx-owned duplex along King Street East believes that a lot of these buildings could be used for housing and she’ll end up living on the street if she’s eventually forced to leave.

Metrolinx spokesperson, Anne Marie Aikins, emphasized that no residents living in homes owned by the agency are being asked to leave, as long as they remain in good standing. 

“I sit on pins and needles every day,” said Miller who still fears that eviction is coming, regardless of Metrolinx’s assurances.

Budget Demolition has been awarded the contract for the work and, pending permit approval, it’s set to begin in fall 2020 and be completed by early 2021.

Metrolinx plans to demolish 21 vacant buildings along proposed LRT route

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