McMaster engineering faculty and alumni are helping make north Hamilton a better place to live.

The Threshold School of Building is a new venture that provides practical house building education to the general public. By having some of the instruction take place in the context of affordable and sustainable housing in north Hamilton, they are helping improve Hamilton's housing situation, says Bob Hudspith, president of the group and associate professor of mechanical engineering.

“As people gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in the design, construction and maintenance of their own homes they are in a better position to contribute to a more sustainable community,” says Hudspith. “The affordable housing projects that form one component of the education will address a growing need in Hamilton.”

With a $29,000 grant from the Young Fund to do some development work and a $75,000 pilot grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation, the group launched its year-long pilot project in August 2002. The start-up grants are enabling the group of engineers, designers, carpenters and teachers to open the school, provide courses, and do an affordable housing project. In addition to meeting with local agencies such as Mission Services of Hamilton, The Good Shepherd Centre, Welcome Inn, and Habitat for Humanity, four of our members visited Minneapolis to study The Project for Pride in Living. This school opened its doors to students this month.

McMaster faculty and alumni involved in the school include political science professor Barbara Carroll, who serves as vice-president; engineering alumni Josh Abush, Graham Lobban and Kurt Frost; arts and science and humanities alumnus Andrew Copp, and psychology alumnus Jack Santa Barbara.

For more information or to register for a course, visit the Threshold Web site at www.thresholdschool.ca