Mohawk College, CityHousing Hamilton partner to provide affordable housing units in Hamilton

An innovative partnership between Mohawk College and CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) is helping to provide affordable housing units for people who live and work in Hamilton’s diverse community.

This fall term, 63 students from the Construction Engineering Technician – Building Renovation program at Mohawk College are gaining valuable work-integrated learning experience as they complete a 112-hour service learning project in partnership with CityHousing Hamilton. The project was conceived through the college’s participation in CityLAB Hamilton.

“This partnership with Mohawk College not only provides a valuable learning experience for students but also provides them the opportunity to give back to our communities in a meaningful way,” said Brian Kinaschuk, Manager of Maintenance for CityHousing Hamilton. “The work these students are doing on CHH units is helping to support the overall goal to reduce vacancy at CHH.  This means more homes can be available for individuals and families in our communities.”

CityLAB Hamilton is an innovation hub that brings together students, academic, and civic leaders to co-create a better Hamilton for all. In partnership with the City of Hamilton, McMaster University, and Redeemer University, CityLAB matches students and faculty with City staff to develop innovative solutions to city-identified projects that align with the City’s Strategic Priorities.

“A service-learning project with CityHousing Hamilton makes complete sense,” said Mohawk College faculty member Darren Hyland, who teaches the third-semester Building and Renovation - Practical course. “It is mutually beneficial for everyone involved. CityHousing Hamilton's mission to provide more affordable housing is one that really resonates with our class, and our students are learning and gaining so much from the builds. Together, we are putting more Hamilton families into safe homes."

To help support the project, Mohawk’s Centre for Experiential Learning received funding from the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative and CEWIL Canada’s iHUB. The funds are supplying the students with CSA safety boots, high-visibility long-sleeve shirts, construction safety glasses, dexterity gloves, hearing protection, and N95 respirators. Not only will this funding reduce student financial barriers for this project but it will also support the students’ personal protective equipment requirements for their program of study.  

Students and faculty members will be able to share their learned experiences at the Fall 2023 CityLAB Project Showcase scheduled to be held in December.