Nearly one year after devastating fire, YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford prepares to reopen Men’s Residence third floor
23-06-2025
YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is proud to announce the upcoming reopening of the third floor of the Downtown Hamilton YMCA Men’s Residence on July 2, 2025, nearly one year after a fire forced its closure.
Since 1959, the Downtown YMCA has provided transitional housing through 174 units. On July 22, 2024, a significant fire on the third floor displaced all residents. While floors two, four and five reopened between August and October 2024, the third floor required extensive restoration and reimagining.
The reopening marks a major milestone in the YMCA’s recovery and reaffirms its commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the Hamilton community. The third floor will return with a Transitional Living Program in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Shelter Health Network, and Mission Services. The program will offer wraparound supports, including on-site health care, mental health and addiction services, and essential daily needs for 43 men.
From left to right: Yohana Otite, Vice Board Chair YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford; Genevieve Hhladysh Vice President, Health, Fitness, Aquatics & Men's Residence; Nicki Glowacki, Chief Operating Officer YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford; Manny Figueiredo, President & CEO of YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford; Her Worship Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton; Dr. Michael Heenan, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Health System
“We know that housing is health care. The reopening of the third floor is not just about restoring units - it’s about reimagining how we support people with complex needs,” said Manny Figueiredo, President and CEO of YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford. “This more supportive model of transitional housing is designed to better meet the health and social needs of our residents. Through partnerships with the City and our health care sector we are proud to offer coordinated, wraparound care to individuals in line with the City’s coordinated access approach across the housing system, helping individuals move toward stability, dignity and wellness.”
In early 2025, the City of Hamilton allocated $350,000 in one-time funding from the Ward 2 Area Rating Reserve to support staffing, security, a dedicated Mental Health and Addiction Specialist, food security, resident essentials, and capital repairs. This funding will sustain operations on the third floor through 2026.
In addition, the YMCA received $28,618 through the City Enrichment Fund in 2024 and more than $414,000 in donations through the YMCA Fire Recovery Fund, helping residents replace personal belongings and begin to rebuild their lives.
The reopening of the third floor not only restores critical housing capacity but also strengthens Hamilton’s supportive housing ecosystem thereby reducing strain on public systems and addressing homelessness at its roots.
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