Working towards a sustainable Hamilton community that is caring, inclusive, empowering, and
accessible for all

SPRC Hamilton is an independent voice, serving to inform the community about demographic trends, highlight social inequities, and promote solutions that will improve social conditions. We work in partnership with community members and organizations to provide relevant social research and analysis which helps inform decision making. We provide consultation services to help organizations better understand and analyze their data, and we facilitate community programs which help address existing and emerging needs. Our work is centered around issues related to poverty reduction; housing security, equity and inclusion, and the healthy development of children and families.
Land Acknowledgement
SPRC Hamilton is situated on the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We acknowledge that this land is also covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
OVERVIEW: SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
SPRC Hamilton has several programs that it directly develops and manages. These programs support our goal of developing a sustainable Hamilton community that is caring, inclusive, empowering, and accessible with a focus on meeting the fundamental needs of people in our city.
We also have services that build on SPRC Hamilton’s strong history of helping the Hamilton community through areas of specialty that are uniquely positioned to support organizations in being and becoming the best versions of themselves.
OVERVIEW: SERVICES & PROGRAMS
SPRC Hamilton operates programs for individuals which support our goal of developing a sustainable, accessible, and equitable Hamilton, by focussing on meeting the fundamental needs of people in our community.
We also offer services to organizations and institutions that build on SPRC Hamilton’s strong history of helping and supporting the community and non-profit sector through social planning and community development activities.
SERVICES

Research
and Analysis

Program
Evaluation

Systems Planning and Facilitation

Community Development for Change
Programs

Tastebuds, Hamilton’s Student Nutrition Collaborative

Financial
Empowerment Program

Community Action Program
for Children (CAPC)
Research and Insights
When we say we LOVE data and research, we really mean it. We’ve been providing these services in our community for almost 60 years. Why is this important? In order to make effective and informed decisions for our community, one needs to collect data, as well as analyze and make sense of the data. That’s what we do.
We help people understand information about their community, including how our population is changing and what new supports or services might be needed in the future. Research and analysis helps our community meet needs today and plan for the future. We break this down in our publications which focus on four key areas:
- Poverty Reduction and Elimination
- Healthy Development of Children and Families
- Housing and Homelessness
- Equity and Inclusion
RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS
When we say we LOVE data and research, we really mean it. We’ve been providing these services in our community for almost 60 years. Why is this important? In order to make effective and informed decisions for our community, one needs to collect data, as well as analyze and make sense of the data. That’s what we do.
We help people understand information about their community, including how our population is changing and what new supports or services might be needed in the future. Research and analysis helps our community meet needs today and plan for the future. We break this down in our publications which focus on four key areas:
- Poverty Reduction and Elimination
- Healthy Development of Children and Families
- Housing and Homelessness
- Equity and Inclusion
LATEST PUBLICATIONS AND UPDATES
Frozen In Time 3: A Virtual Town Hall on Ontario’s Social Assistance System
Join us for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm-8pm on Zoom. We'll examine Ontario's social assistance system & what needs to change! Register Here: Meeting Registration - Zoom Speakers Include: Dr. Peter Graefe, McMaster University: Research...
Hamilton Post-Pandemic Emergency Shelter Size Review: Key Findings
In June 2022, the City of Hamilton Housing Services Division selected the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton to conduct a post-pandemic review of the size of the emergency shelter system. The scope directed the SPRC to consult service providers, review...
Open Letter to the City of Hamilton on the Proposed Encampment Protocol
June 30, 2023 Michelle BairdDirector of Housing ServicesCity of Hamilton71 Main St WestHamilton, ONL8P 4Y5 [via email] Dear Ms. Baird: RE: Open Letter to the City of Hamilton on the Proposed Encampment Protocol Please accept this letter as the Social Planning and...
Annual Impact Report 2022-2023
We are pleased to share some of our accomplishments over the past year in our 2022/2023 Annual Impact Report. A highlight of the year was the SPRC brand receiving a fresh new look which reflects a revitalized image and purpose for SPRC Hamilton. Our dedication to...
Hamilton A Belonging City: Launch of Hamilton for All & Anti-Hate Toolkit
As you know, emboldened acts of hatred are plaguing Hamilton and the rest of the world. A coalition of many organizations and individuals formed No Hate in the Hammer in 2019 to address acts of Hate and build a more inclusive Hamilton. Over the past year, this group...
SPRC Submission to the Federal Housing Advocate Encampment Review
The Federal Housing Advocate has launched a review on homeless encampments as a violation of human rights in Canada. As part of the review, the Federal Housing Advocate is seeking input from people deprived of housing and community-based organizations on what is...
SUPPORT SPRC HAMILTON
When you support SPRC Hamilton, you become part of the effort to improve the quality of life for all those living in Hamilton. You can make an impact with SPRC Hamilton as a participant, collaborator, or donor.