Assault suspect wanted after attack at Hamilton tiny homes meeting

Hamilton Police are in search of a suspect after an assault at a Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) community meeting.

HATS is a pilot project to provide little temporary homes for people experiencing homelessness. The units would give shelter and wrap-around medical and social services to 25 people at any given time.

The city began studying the project in August and initially decided on a park in Strachan St. to house the building. However, this was ultimately cancelled after significant pushback from some area residents. The project was suspended in officially October.

HATS said it “expresses deep disappointment that it cannot move forward with a site at this time, which had the potential to provide much-needed stability, safety, and warmth to unhoused individuals, particularly as the winter months approach.”

“While the Strachan site addressed some of the needs of the HATS project, the due diligence process led HATS to conclude that the investment required was too significant,” they explained.

However, prior to this decision HATS held a public meeting about the project at the Bennetto Community Centre at 450 Hughson St. on Sept. 11. During this meeting a man allegedly assaulted a city official. Police launched an investigation and obtained images of a suspect.

Investigators have not identified the man. They describe him as white, 45-50, bald and wearing a black Nashville Music City USA Harley Davidson t-shirt, shorts and black glasses.

Anyone who can identify the man can call police at 905–546–3816 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.