Ontario Building More Homes Near Transit in Hamilton

Ontario building more homes near transit in Hamilton with up to 642 units planned near West Harbour GO Station

HAMILTON — The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to enable up to 642 new homes near Hamilton’s West Harbour GO Station, using a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to accelerate redevelopment of the long-vacant Jamesville site at 405 James Street North.

The site, which has remained unused since 2019, is slated for a mix of apartment buildings and townhouses, including up to 210 affordable housing units. The project is being advanced in partnership with the City of Hamilton, CityHousing Hamilton, Indwell, and the Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership, with the goal of increasing housing density near transit while addressing affordability pressures.

Ontario’s decision follows a formal request from the City of Hamilton earlier this year, citing years of stalled progress and the need to move urgently on housing supply as population growth continues across the region.

Accelerating Housing Near Transit

According to the province, the MZO will unlock redevelopment by establishing zoning permissions that allow construction to proceed more quickly, while leaving site plan approvals and conservation authority consultations under municipal oversight.

“I want to thank Mayor Horwath for identifying this tremendous opportunity to speed up the redevelopment of Jamesville, ending years of delays to get shovels in the ground and get more homes built for people who need them,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, noting that the project aligns with provincial efforts to increase housing supply and keep workers employed amid broader economic uncertainty.

Hamilton’s population is projected to grow from approximately 639,000 in 2025 to more than 713,000 by 2035, increasing pressure on housing availability—particularly near major transit hubs like West Harbour GO.

Years of Advocacy Behind the Project

Mayor Andrea Horwath said the redevelopment did not come together quickly, pointing to years of work to overcome regulatory and land-use challenges.

“This moment did not happen by accident,” Horwath said. “It came after years of relentless advocacy, countless meetings, and pushing through barriers. Since my first day as Mayor, I have made Jamesville a top priority.”

She credited collaboration between the province, city staff, housing partners, and developers for finally advancing the long-stalled project.

405 James Street in #Hamilton has been sitting empty since 2019 despite the strong demand for more housing in the region.

Enough is enough. Our government is stepping in with a Minister’s Zoning Order that will enable the development of 642 market and affordable units at this… pic.twitter.com/daZi3ooaIm

— Rob Flack (@RobFlackEML) December 10, 2025

Housing Mix and Community Impact

Provincial officials say the Jamesville redevelopment will include a mix of market-rate, affordable, and subsidized housing—an approach the province has emphasized as it pushes for higher-density, transit-oriented communities across Ontario.

Local MPPs also welcomed the announcement, highlighting the project’s potential to deliver tangible results.

“By approving this Minister’s Zoning Order, our government is unlocking long-overdue progress at the Jamesville site and delivering real results for Hamilton families,” said Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain.

Neil Lumsden, MPP for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, added that the project would help address housing insecurity by reducing approval delays and enabling the construction of hundreds of new affordable homes.

Industry representatives have also pointed to the project as a model for urban redevelopment. Mike Collins-Williams, CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association, described Jamesville as an example of the type of mixed-income, transit-oriented development needed in cities facing housing shortages.

Part of a Broader Provincial Strategy

The MZO for Jamesville is part of a wider provincial push to accelerate housing construction through legislative changes, including the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 and the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025. These measures aim to reduce approval timelines and development costs in partnership with municipalities.

While the zoning order clears a major hurdle, the City of Hamilton remains responsible for final site plan approvals and further consultation as the project moves toward construction.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

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