According to United States Customs records, Hamilton’s ‘Indigenous-sourced’ $1.4-million Made-in-China tiny modular shelters arrived in California on December 26.

Online data shows a shipment destined for Microshelters Inc. arriving from Shanghai, China, into the United States.

In a December 24 press conference, the City of Hamilton stated they expected the shipment to arrive in North America on December 26.

Online business and tracking information indicates Microshelters Inc., which dubiously misrepresented itself as affiliated with American tiny shelter company Foldom, ordered from another middleman company, Global Axxis LLC.

The City of Hamilton cannot, or will not, state who manufactured the shelters.

The City has steadfastly refused to explain why it awarded non-competitive, no-due diligence $1.4-million contract to the newly incorporated Microshelters Inc. company to order the shelters.

On December 24, the City revealed that the contract with Microshelters Inc. is solely for ordering the modular units.

The City paid $1.4 million for what it stated are 40 modular units.

The City states it is paying “taxes, shipping and duties” on top of the $1.4-million.

The City is also responsible for all construction, set-up, and work to install the shelters.

The City has not revealed why it disqualified hiring experienced companies that could deliver the full project.

Questions regarding who made the decisions in this matter are also going unanswered.

Production Details
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Published: December 30, 2024
Last edited: December 31, 2024
Author: Joey Coleman
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v. 1.0.0 original version
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Editor's note: thank you to a reader for sharing the US Customs data site with me.

33 replies on “Hamilton’s Made-in-China Tiny Shelters Arrived in California: US Customs Data”

  1. Another example of bureaucracy that is out of control at 71 Main Street West. When will this Council admit that management is ineffective and inefficient and needs full auditing by outside services.

  2. Why China, there are many schools in Canada to build these units.
    It would serve two things first needed homes and A big 2) it would give needed training for people

    1. China because they ordered them from a new company without any information as to where they were coming from and even admitted that they had never even seen what they looked like, or seen that the company had never provided these houses before. A total failure by every one at City Hall who were involved.

  3. What happened to due diligence? These are our tax dollars being spent carelessly. Doesn’t anyone do research to qualify the proponent? How much is shipping and Duty plus other customs costs? This may likely go into $2.0m range for these 40 units. This is $35k plus per unit if just to get them here plus installing and running power,etc. Why was this not vetted through the proper procurement process in the City of Hamilton. I’m sure there are many contractors, if asked would generously donate their materials and time to build these shelters for far less than $35k each. Plus the work would stay in our community and not shipped out overseas. Shame on you City of Hamilton Council and Mayor Andrea Horwath who is in charge of this ship!

    1. It is another example of bureaucracy out of control and a City Council unwilling to hold them accountable.

  5. As tax paying citizens we demand transparency and accountability. An external third party forensic audit should be completed.

  6. Auditor General investigation requested. Very swampy backroom vibes. Onward to ICs office once degree of Mayoral awareness confirmed. They should be advised to be forthcoming before this is all dragged out like.pullimg teeth.

  7. This is unbelievable how there is no accountability for not getting this project done here in hamilton.once again our mayor as no idea what she is doing

  8. It seems overwhelming that thease shelters could have and should have been made locally and boost our economy
    And not give our tax dollars to a foreign country

  9. Ordered and not researched by City Hall ? What a surprise. Let’s find out the total cost of the botched up arrangement.

    1. You have to wonder what is Council thinking? Not sharing vital information, dealing in the dark and back rooms, not open to tendering or made at home solutions, on a $10- $18.3 million project, on a contaminated site, without addressing the most affected neighbours?
      Wake up citizens. This is your call to action for accountability from City Hall. Address your Councillor now. Don’t wait to cast your vote Oct. 2026.

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