Peterborough Blogs
"People Are Just Getting Poorer" Peterborough's Housing Crisis Worse Than a Year Ago Says United Way
/The United Way Peterborough & District’s 18th Edition of Housing is Fundamental report says that the city’s housing crisis has become worse than a year ago according to author Paul Armstrong.
The announcement was made at United Way Peterborough & District as part of their annual report written by Armstrong that started 18 years ago.
It provides an overview of Peterborough's local rental market while also highlighting the impacts of the commodification of housing and income inequality.
“People are just getting poorer. That's all there is to it,” said Armstrong. “When your rent keeps going up and up and up, you're not in a position of having the same disposable income and without that disposable income, you're going to have to back away from something else in the marketplace. “
Armstrong’s key findings include:
Peterborough's vacancy rate is the lowest in Ontario for the second year in a row at 1.1 per cent
Newly vacant apartment rents were 19 per cent higher than the rent of occupied units
Recovery in employment and renewed student inflows supported rental demand
70 units were added to the market, which is the largest increase in the last 15 years
Armstrong’s localized statistical figures based on data from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHC).
“Never has housing commanded so much attention,” said Armstrong. “Almost daily, reports highlight shortages of purpose-built rental units and widespread affordability challenges. The current dilemma, while newsworthy, isn't new. Its roots can be traced to federal government decisions made in the 1990s. Three decades later social or rent-geared-to-income housing has never been so needed. And 'affordable' housing, which is 10 per cent - 20 per cent below market rents is all but unattainable.”
His report also found that rental demand kept pace with supply growth last year and two-bedroom rentals are 23 per cent higher upon turnover to new tenants.
“Both homelessness and severe housing burden now exist in dangerous proportions. Governments hopefully have learned that reliance on the private market to meet all housing needs is imaginary and unfounded. They (governments) must get back into the game with appropriate policy and adequate funding.”
Armstrong continues to mention that this year's perspective is critical as there is a growing cost of living, particularly in housing and food costs.
Jim Russell, United Way CEO described rising housing costs' impacts on our community members.
“Housing is Fundamental to well-being,” he said. “As we strive to build a better community together, a basic starting point is safe, affordable housing for all.”
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AON Inc Planning 550 Premier Seniors Development Units On Clonsilla Avenue
/Planning multi-phase apartment buildings, retirement homes and premier seniors development by AON Inc. has begun as part of their AIRWAYS development project at the Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Wednesday.
The 22-acre community will be spread out over up to eight buildings and include many outdoor community amenities according to a press release. Located at the end of Clonsilla Road near Lansdowne Street, the property is off a hilltop which has great views according to Brad Smith, AON President.
“The views from this area are phenomenal,” he explained. “You either have views of the golf course or overlooking the City of Peterborough with all the trees in the area and the views in the fall are spectacular. When I was putting this together, it really fit with our portfolio and the growth of the seniors community.”
Kawartha Golf Club remains intact during the whole construction process set to begin next year. The proposed units to be built could aid in generating extra income for the club as they look forward to working with AON Inc. according to Rob Elliot, Kawartha Golf Club president.
“The Kawartha Golf Club looks forward to AON Inc. creating this wonderful community and the opportunities that may arise for the Club to integrate with it,” he said.
“There will be nothing in size and variety to compare to this project in Peterborough and the region’s growing seniors’ population will welcome these much-needed residential options including the safety features this community will offer them,” said Smith. “Never have so many senior geared lifestyle options been incorporated into one community. The FAIRWAYS will be a premier community for seniors and AON is excited to commence on the necessary next steps with the City of Peterborough to make this community a reality.”
This is a proposed development of 550 units and must go through the approval processes with the City of Peterborough. At this time, the plan remains a proposal until formally finalized.
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Federal and Provincial Government Fund $2.5 Million To Provide More Affordable Housing In Peterborough-Kawartha
/The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario have funded $2,457,000 to help create 63 more affordable community housing units for the Hunt Terrance on 555 Bonacord St., announced on Monday morning.
“What it does is it reduces the actual operating costs for the building because we're cutting that mortgage down by $2.5 million,” explained Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. “That mortgage payment on that amount is not going to be factored into what they have to have in order to operate it so it gives them the flexibility then to lower the cost on 63 of the units in total.”
The funding is part of a project investment of over $46 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) to create 267 affordable housing units across the province according to a press release.
Hunt Terrace is a six-storey building that has 85 units in total including both one- and two-bedroom units. There are specific units for those who require health and/or housing support which is provided on-site through community partners.
“555 Bonaccord is a unique building for PHC (Peterborough Housing Corporation), offering both market and affordable units in a multigenerational setting,” said Hope Lee, PHC CEO. “The ground floor commercial space offers several amenities such as on-site offices for support partners, common spaces for tenants, meeting facilities for the public and dining options for both tenants and the public. The COCHI funding is a much-appreciated contribution towards our capital costs.”
"Our community is working together to build affordable housing, to build homes,” said Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor. The dedicated team at the City’s social housing agency, Peterborough Housing Corporation, led a true community effort to build the $31.1-million, 85-unit second phase at Hunt Terraces that includes 65 community housing units and 20 market rent units.”
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City of Peterborough Holding Consultation Meeting Of Multi-Storey Affordable Housing Development on Monaghan Road
/The City of Peterborough is holding a drop-in meeting of a multi-storey affordable housing development on 681 Monaghan Rd. to view the design and speak with the project team announced on Thursday.
The meeting is being held at the Healthy Planet Arena banquet hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7.
“Our community is taking action to create more affordable housing. The new development on Monaghan Road along with projects such as the 85-unit second phase of the Hunt Terrace development on Bonaccord Street are essential to the health of our community, providing homes for individuals and families,” said Councillor Keith Riel, Chair of Council’s Housing Portfolio.
The property on Monaghan Road is between Gillespie Avenue and McKellar Street. Initial building plans are six storeys with 53 units, including 37 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units.
The project is in the preliminary design stage. Construction could start by late spring-early summer and be completed by summer next year, depending on funding applications.
Residents can post comments and ask questions about the development by going online. The project team will respond to questions submitted through the project page. Submitted questions and responses may be shared for other viewers to see without identifying the person who submitted the question.
The existing former office building is being removed in preparation for the new unit. The City acquired the property in November 2020.
Salandria Ltd. has been contracted with the building’s demolition to be done in mid February.
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Average Home Price In Peterborough Reaches All-Time High
/The average home price in Peterborough city and county in March reached $864,208, a new all-time high, according to the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors.
The 2022 average is up 17 per cent from the 2021 March average.
280 residential units were sold, which is down down 1.8 per cent from March 2021.
There were 157 active listings at the end of March, down 11.3 per cent from last year.
The average price for March in the City of Kawartha Lakes was $904,167, the second highest monthly average on record for the Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association.
The average price in Northumberland County topped the $1-million milestone at an average of $1,009,087. This average is up 25.5 per cent from 2021, but down 11.3 per cent from the all-time high of $1,122,819 last month.
Over $6 Million Raised For More Housing At The Mount Community Centre
/After a concerted effort from the community, The Mount Community Centre has raised $6,272,755 towards building more affordable housing units announced on Sunday.
The money was raised through their Building Opportunity Campaign that was seeking a goal of $4 million for the 10-acre property. All of the funding was done through the volunteers.
Beavermead Construction was the company tasked to do the building however over 200 volunteers have done the painting, furnishing and landscaping.
Since August, 63 housing units have already been developed since 2013.
The units already contain several amenities such as a food centre, office space, public venue space and the Fulcrum Café.
PTBOCanada Featured Post: St. Joseph’s at Fleming Invites Community To Open House
/Sponsored post by St. Joseph's at Fleming
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