HAMILTON — Ontario is moving ahead with plans to redevelop a long-vacant parcel of land in Hamilton’s North End, clearing the way for up to 642 new homes through a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) that provincial officials say will accelerate construction near transit and support workers amid economic uncertainty.
The decision, announced Tuesday, applies to 405 James Street North — widely known as the Jamesville site — located steps from the West Harbour GO Station. The land has sat empty since 2019 after the previous townhouse complex was demolished, leaving the future of the property in limbo for years.
In a statement, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the province acted at the city’s request to remove barriers and get shovels in the ground more quickly. “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,” Flack said. “Our government is proud to partner with Hamilton and provide the city with the tools and support it needs to get vital housing projects like this one underway as fast as possible.”
The redevelopment is a joint venture involving CityHousing Hamilton, affordable-housing provider Indwell and the Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership. Plans call for a mix of apartment buildings and townhouses, including up to 210 affordable units. Officials say the project aligns with both provincial and municipal priorities to boost density around rapid transit while expanding the supply of market and below-market homes.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath, who has pushed for action on the site since taking office in 2022, said the provincial approval represents the culmination of years of political and community effort. “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 — working with the Minister(s) of Housing and confronting the challenges created by CN head-on; because Hamiltonians — particularly our North End neighbours deserve nothing less. I’d like to thank Minister Flack and the Ontario government for recognizing the importance of this project and taking action. I want to also thank City of Hamilton’s planning staff, CityHousing Hamilton, Indwell and the Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership for their steadfast collaboration.”
CityHousing Hamilton first requested an MZO in January 2025, with the mayor’s support. Municipal staff will still need to secure other necessary approvals, including site plan review and consultations with conservation authorities. The city previously held a series of public engagement sessions between 2019 and 2022 to shape the vision for the site, which had been tied up in land-use complications involving CN Rail.
The province framed the MZO as part of a broader legislative push to cut red tape and accelerate homebuilding. Recent measures include the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 and commitments outlined in the 2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: A Plan to Protect Ontario.
Local MPPs welcomed the move, arguing it will help address the region’s tight housing supply at a time when Hamilton’s population — currently about 639,000 — is projected to climb to 713,000 over the next decade.
“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. “This decision clears the way for a vibrant, mixed-income community with new subsidized, affordable, and market housing that will finally move this project from plans to reality. As MPP for Hamilton Mountain, I am proud to see our government continue to take action to build homes faster, increase housing supply and build the kind of inclusive, family-friendly neighbourhoods Hamilton deserves.”
Hamilton East–Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden said the measure reflects the province’s support for its municipal partners. “Our government is proud to support municipalities and partner organizations like CityHousing Hamilton with addressing homelessness and local housing needs,” he said. “By cutting through red-tape, this move will lead to the construction of hundreds of new, affordable homes – helping more people get into housing faster.”
Industry leaders also endorsed the plan. Mike Collins-Williams, CEO of the West End Home Builders’ Association, called the project an example of the kind of innovative, high-density development needed to tackle housing pressures. “This transformative project exemplifies the kind of bold, innovative housing solution the Province of Ontario has called for; one that delivers a true mix of affordability, tenure, and density in an urban centre that is struggling under the weight of an intensifying housing and homelessness crisis,” he said.
Construction timelines have not yet been announced, but provincial and municipal officials say the MZO means work can begin significantly sooner than it would have under standard planning processes.
