Megan Ryan, a 34-year-old pregnant woman, is living in an outdoor shelter in Hamilton and fears her newborn will be placed in foster care due to lack of housing. Her situation highlights a critical shortage of housing options for unhoused pregnant people and their children in Hamilton. The YWCA Hamilton's proposed Oakwood Project aims to address this by building 90 housing units for women, children, and gender-diverse people who have experienced homelessness or violence, including specific spots for pregnant women. The project has secured land and city funding for demolition but is awaiting $34 million in federal funding from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation to begin construction, which is hoped to start by the end of the year.
This expectant mom's living in an outdoor shelter as YWCA Hamilton waits on federal funds to build housing
HamiltonDomestic violenceSocial servicesTransitional housingViolence
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Megan Ryan, a 34-year-old pregnant woman, is living in an outdoor shelter in Hamilton and fears her newborn will be placed in foster care due to lack of housing. Her situation highlights a critical shortage of housing options for unhoused pregnant people and their children in Hamilton. The YWCA Hamilton's proposed Oakwood Project aims to address this by building 90 housing units for women, children, and gender-diverse people who have experienced homelessness or violence, including specific spots for pregnant women. The project has secured land and city funding for demolition but is awaiting $34 million in federal funding from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation to begin construction, which is hoped to start by the end of the year.
Trending- 1 2021: Medora Uppal began envisioning the Oakwood Project.
- 2 December 2021: YWCA found and bought land for the project.
- 3 December 2022: Megan Ryan evicted.
- 4 August 2022 - present: 126 pregnant, unhoused women reached out to YWCA for help.
- 5 This week (June 2025): Demolition took place at the Oakwood Project site.
- 6 November 2025: Megan Ryan's due date.
- 7 End of 2025 (aim): Start building Oakwood Project if federal funding is received.
- Pregnant individuals like Megan Ryan face homelessness and fear of losing their children to foster care
- Limited housing options for unhoused pregnant people
- YWCA Hamilton's project is delayed due to pending federal funding
- Continued struggle for unhoused women and children
What: Megan Ryan, a pregnant woman, is living in an outdoor shelter in Hamilton and fears losing her newborn to foster care due to lack of housing. The YWCA Hamilton is awaiting $34 million in federal funding for its Oakwood Project, which aims to build 90 housing units for unhoused women, children, and gender-diverse people, including pregnant individuals.
When: Four months into her pregnancy (Megan Ryan), November (due date), over a year (lived in tent), December 2022 (Ryan evicted), 2021 (Ryan's partner left, Uppal envisioned project), August 2022 (126 pregnant unhoused women reached out to YWCA), December (YWCA found land), this week (demolition took place), end of the year (aim to start building if funded), as of end of last year (federal government committed $15B).
Where: Hamilton (outdoor shelter, rail trail, Barton Street East), Canada.
Why: There is a critical shortage of housing options specifically for unhoused pregnant people and their children in Hamilton. Existing YWCA transitional living programs cannot accommodate partners, pets, or children, meaning new mothers cannot return with their babies. The Oakwood Project is needed to provide comprehensive housing and support services for this vulnerable population.
How: Megan Ryan is applying for more permanent housing with staff help. The YWCA Hamilton is seeking federal funding from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation for the Oakwood Project, which has already secured land and city funding for demolition. The project aims to provide housing, medical care, child care, skills training, employment, and immigration services.