Community Update: YMCA Crisis Response

In the aftermath of the YMCA fire, our community faces significant challenges. The YMCA is committed to supporting those affected through a comprehensive crisis response.  

The YMCA’s goal is to ensure access to safe and stable housing for those displaced, continue the restoration process for floors four and five, determine the renovation requirements for the third floor, and return to regular operations at our Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA branch.  

We remain deeply committed to supporting our displaced residents, ensuring their well-being during this challenging time. Thanks to generous donations, we have provided food, clothing, hygiene products, and mental health support to address the emotional impact of the crisis. Temporary housing solutions are being secured, with some residents already relocated. We are grateful for the community's compassion and support, which have been crucial in helping residents cope and access essential resources. 

Housing, Accommodation, and Status of Re-entry:  
With the support of community partners YMCA staff continue to secure temporary and permanent accommodation options ensuring access to safe and stable housing while restoration work is underway.  

Housing and Accommodation Status Summary: 

• 39 Returned to YMCA Units: Residents who have returned to their original units, particularly on the 2nd floor.
• 35 In Temporary Accommodation in YMCA Facility: Residents temporarily accommodated within the YMCA facility, including the gym, community rooms, and other spaces, until further arrangements are made.
• 99 In Temporary External Accommodations: Residents temporarily staying with friends, family, in hotels, or through community partner arrangements.

The data is current as of the end of the day on August 2, 2024. Updates will occur weekly.  

To support those displaced, we continue exploring temporary, longer-term, and permanent solutions, including reaching out to long-term care facilities, post-secondary institutions, and hotels for available residences, while some residents from Floors 3-5 have already moved into short-term accommodation.

• Floor 2: Residents have returned to their units. 
• Floor 3: Was the most impacted by the fire, and restoration efforts, including timelines, are yet to be determined.  
• Floors 4 & 5: The restoration will take a few more weeks to complete. Residents are expected to move in by the week ending August 17 at the earliest.  

Thank you to Wilfirid Laurier University 

We want to thank Wilfrid Laurier University, who are among the partners supporting the YMCA response. The following quote is from Dan Dawson, AVP, Student & Ancillary Services, Wilfrid Laurier University:

“Wilfrid Laurier University extends its heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the fire. This is a very difficult time, especially for those who call the Downtown Hamilton YMCA home. The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is a longstanding and valued partner of the university. Laurier is pleased to be able to play a small role in supplying temporary housing for these individuals until their homes at the Y are ready for their return. We also express our gratitude to the Laurier staff members who have moved quickly to help make this happen.”  

Status of YMCA Services:   
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA branch remains closed; we will provide updates as soon as we have a reopening date. Updates will be provided on our website, and Downtown members will receive an email. While this facility remains closed, we invite you to access our other locations here.  

Once we determine the reopening date, we will apply a credit to Downtown member accounts.    

YMCA Newcomer Youth Centre - Hamilton remains closed, youth are invited to access our Hamilton Mountain location at 420 Crerar Dr. Hamilton, or our Stoney Creek location at 211 Centennial Parkway North, Unit 4, Hamilton. 

YMCA Hamilton I Burlington I Brantford begins comprehensive restoration efforts with community support 

July 24, 2024 - As an update to the community, the fire in the YMCA Men’s Residence on July 22 caused the evacuation of 173 occupants from their homes and resulted in extensive damage, particularly on the third floor, with heavy smoke affecting multiple levels of the residence.  

When the Fire Marshall’s office returned the building to the YMCA on July 23, we promptly engaged our insurance providers to begin restoration efforts. Unfortunately, the damage is more extensive than we initially anticipated.  

While we were hoping for a quicker return home for our residents, there is an urgent need for a more comprehensive transition plan that will require additional time.  

We remain fully engaged with the City of Hamilton’s Emergency Response Team, and the Red Cross will continue to provide necessary services. Details of the plan will be shared once they are confirmed.  

Status of Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA Services:  

• Men’s Residence: The residents will remain at the YMCA facility and stay overnight with Red Cross support through the weekend as we work through accommodation plans.  
• Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA: The branch remains closed and will reopen during the week of Monday, July 29, 2024.  
• YMCA Newcomer Youth Centre - Hamilton: this location remains closed, youth are invited to access our Hamilton Mountain location at 420 Crerar Dr. Hamilton, or our Stoney Creek location at 211 Centennial Parkway North, Unit 4, Hamilton.

Statement from Manny Figueiredo, President & CEO YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford  

“This has been a tremendous time of crisis and it’s been very difficult for our residents, members, and the entire community. Our residents are experiencing a great deal of anxiety due to the displacement they are enduring. We understand the profound impact this situation has had on their lives, and we are committed to providing all the support we can.  

We are so grateful to the City of Hamilton, including all emergency responders, the Red Cross, our valued housing and food security non-profit organizations, community partners, and generous donors. Their swift action and unwavering dedication have been invaluable in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone affected.  

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our community members for their patience, resilience, and solidarity during these challenging times. Together, we will overcome this adversity and continue to build a stronger, more connected community.”  

Additional Information:  

• At approximately 12:22 PM on July 22, a fire broke out on the third floor of the Men's Residence, necessitating the evacuation of the building.
• The Hamilton Fire Department determined the fire started in and was contained to a unit on the 3rd floor, but there was heavy smoke on the 4th and 5th floors of the residence.
• 173 occupants (capacity is 174 units) live in the Men’s Residence and now accommodated within the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA facility at 79 James Street South, Hamilton
• Thank you to community partners including the City of Hamilton, Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, United Way, Food for Life, Neighbour to Neighbour, Fortino’s Ancaster, Tim Hortons, and more.

Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA Branch to Remain Closed Until Further Notice
 

The Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA will remain closed for programming until further notice, due to a fire that broke out at the 3rd floor of our Men’s Residence.  

At approximately 12:20 PM July 22, a fire broke out on the third floor of the Men's Residence, necessitating the evacuation of the building. The fire started in and was contained to a unit on the 3rd floor, but there was heavy smoke on the 4th and 5th floors of the residence.  

The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, members, and staff remains our highest priority as we support the ongoing response efforts. We continue to thank the Emergency Operations Committe at the City of Hamilton for their response.

Men’s Residence  

While much progress has been made to assist the residents in returning to their rooms, we must wait for the insurance adjusters to complete their work and for a restorative cleaning service to engage.

The Red Cross remain on site Tuesday, July 23, and the residents will continue to be displaced while staying in various areas of the YMCA facility.    

Community partners are rising to the occasion by providing meals, clothes, and bedding. We are grateful to Good Shepherd, Salvation Army, United Way, Food for Life, Neighbour to Neighbour, and more for their support in helping us during this challenging time.    

Downtown Heath, Fitness and Aquatics Facilities, and EarlyOn programming

Our Downtown Hamilton YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics facilities remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday and until further notice. There is no programming at this branch during this time.  

Our Downtown YMCA EarlyON location will remain closed for the remainder of the week.  

We want to thank our staff and community for their understanding and patience as we navigate this situation. We will continue to provide updates on our website www.ymcahbb.ca and on social media.  

Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA Branch to Remain Closed for Next 48 Hours
 

Exterior of the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA

The Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA will remain closed for programming for up to 48 hours, due to a fire that broke out at the 3rd floor of our Men’s Residence.  

At approximately 12:20 PM today, a fire broke out on the third floor of the Men's Residence, necessitating the evacuation of the building. The fire started in and was contained to a unit on the 3rd floor, but there was heavy smoke on the 4th and 5th floors of the residence.  

The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, members, and staff remains our highest priority as we support the ongoing response efforts. We continue to work with Hamilton Fire Department, the City of Hamilton's Emergency Social Services Response, the Red Cross and our partners across Hamilton's housing system and are grateful for their support.  

Men’s Residence  

We are working with the Hamilton Fire Department, and City of Hamilton’s Emergency Social Services Response and the Red Cross to facilitate temporary lodgings for the occupants of our Downtown Men's Residence. To address the immediate housing needs of our 174 residents displaced by the fire, we are working with the City of Hamilton's Emergency Social Servcices Response and the Red Cross to set up lodgings within an auxiliary gym at our Downtown YMCA.

Accessing Personal Items

YMCA Staff are on site supporting residents to ensure they can access their personal items today, July 22 until 8 PM, and July 23 between 8 AM - 5 PM.  

Downtown Heath, Fitness and Aquatics Facilities

At this time the Health, Fitness & Aquatics facilities also remain closed as we assess the facility and support our Men's Residence over the next 48 hours. Members may access an alternate YMCA location.  

Accessing Personal Items

While we remain closed, YMCA Staff will be available on site to help members access personal items they left behind by accessing the Jackson Street entrance today, July 22 until 8 PM, and tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23 between 8 AM and 5 PM.  

Downtown YMCA EarlyON  

Our Downtown YMCA EarlyON location will remain closed for the remainder of the week.  

We want to thank our staff and community for their understanding and patience as we navigate this situation. We will continue to provide updates on our website www.ymcahbb.ca and on social media.