WATERDOWN, ON – July 30, 2026 – New Horizon Development Group (NHDG) welcomed Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 15 Councillor Ted McMeekin, provincial government representatives, industry partners, community stakeholders, and members of the media to the ECHO townhome community today to celebrate the official groundbreaking of more than 130 new ground-oriented, family-sized townhomes now under construction in Waterdown.
The event highlighted one of the earliest examples of the federal and provincial governments' Enhanced HST Rebate translating into real housing starts, with construction moving forward following a strong sales response at the neighbouring site, SOL Towns, made possible through improved housing affordability.
This milestone illustrates the importance of partnerships across all levels of government, and the development industry, in addressing Ontario's housing supply challenges and creating more attainable pathways to homeownership.
Mayor Horwath and Councillor McMeekin joined NHDG to recognize their investment in the City of Hamilton, and the support this project brings to over 190 businesses while employing over 250 construction and skilled trades workers throughout the duration of the project.
NHDG also announced that they would be partnering with Trillium Housing for the third time in Hamilton – unlocking $1 million in second, payment-free Trillium mortgages for eligible buyers at ECHO Towns – making home ownership even more attainable.
"The launch ECHO Towns demonstrates very publicly what a difference a series of good decisions from leaders in this country, this province and this city can make on the important [role] this housing brings to a community."
— Jeff Paikin
"This is what it takes—it takes the private sector, the municipal sector, the provincial sector and the federal [sector] to all work together to build great communities… There is a commitment to community; you can see the difference that makes to the quality of life that the people who will be moving here, who will be buying homes here, will have."
— Mayor Horwath
Located at 495 Skinner Road in Waterdown, ECHO will deliver urban townhomes designed to provide attainable, low-maintenance homeownership opportunities for individuals, couples, and families looking to enter the housing market as well as downsizers looking for the convenience of townhome living.
As governments and industry continue working together to address Ontario's housing supply challenges, ECHO serves as an early example of how targeted policy measures can help move projects from planning to construction – creating jobs, stimulating local economy, and expanding homeownership opportunities.
Sales at ECHO Towns begin this Fall. Register now to learn more at ECHOtowns.com.
