Volunteers Sought For Cleanup of 30 Sleeping Cabins For the Unhoused at Former Peterborough Humane Society Site

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is seeking volunteers on five consecutive Saturdays to clean up the new site for 30 sleeping cabins for the unhoused, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of PATH.

The cleanup is at the former Peterborough Humane Society building on Lansdowne Street East. The first scheduled date is this Saturday with June 24 as the last day. Times have yet to be scheduled for the cleanup dates at this time.

The announcement of the cabins was made on April 25, as Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) has leased the property on a three-year deal to PATH to build the cabins.

The houses are meant to create a transitional living center for individuals in the community who are unhoused. 

The area requires The City of Peterborough to rezone the area as ‘temporary use’ in order to build the cabins. They are expected to be built by 2024.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) TRISH CAMPBELL, PATH CHAIR; SUSAN ZAMBONI, HABITAT PKR CEO, KEITH DALTON, PATH LAND ACQUISITION WORKING GROUP LEAD AND JENN MACDONALD, HABITAT KPR COMMUNICATIONS AND DONOR SERVICES MANAGER. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The following are all the dates for cleanup:

• May 20

• June 3

• June 10

• June 17

• June 24

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Former Peterborough Humane Society Designated As New Site For 30 Sleeping Cabins For the Unhoused

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) is planning to lease property to Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to build 30 sleeping cabins for unhoused people, announced on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Trish Campbell, PATH chair; Susan Zamboni, Habitat PKR CEO, Keith Dalton, PATH land acquisition working group lead and Jenn MacDonald, Habitat KPR Communications and donor services manager. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The location is behind the former Peterborough Human Society building on Lansdowne Street East. Habitat KPR has agreed to sign a three-year lease with PATH for the latter to use the tiny homes. The former has future plans to build a mixed-use development according to Susan Zamboni, Habitat PKR CEO.

“We will be purchasing the property at the end of June,” she said. “We have an accepted offer and then PATH will start renting it at that point and doing some renovations inside the building to meet their needs for three years.”

The houses are meant to create a transitional living center for individuals in the community who are unhoused. 

“Our goal is to build a bridge between homelessness and stable, permanent housing,” said Campbell.

The area will require rezoning for ‘temporary use’ with the City of Peterborough’s permission which has already started according to Campbell.

“They've already gone through the pre-consultation for that so I feel very confident that they're going to get it and have the support of the City Council when it comes time,” she explained.

The buildings are 30 sleeping cabins for individuals behind the former Peterborough Humane Society (PHS planned for 2024. PHS moved to their new Animal Care Centre in mid-January.

City Council denied a motion for 10 tiny homes to be built but the dismissal did not stop PATH’s determination for getting tiny homes into Peterborough according to Trish Campbell, PATH chair.

“We met a lot of the City staff, planners and Council and it's all good in the end,” she said.

The project is in the early development stages and will host an open house in the coming weeks to provide further information and receive provide feedback. Residents can submit questions, comments or statements of support to pathadm22@gmail.com.

“We want to see as many people in affordable home ownership as possible and in the next three years, we want to see as many people go through the PATH program from sleeping cabins to maybe rent geared to income, rentals to maybe even market. That's the path that we seek,” added Campbell.

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Trent Leasing University-Owned Land to RDC to Build Student Housing Totaling Roughly 215 Beds on Water Street

Trent University has leased property for Residence Development Corporation (RDC) to build and operate an upper-year student housing building with approximately 215 beds near the Symons Campus in Peterborough announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The land is four-acres on Water Street, adjacent to and south of Tim Hortons. The housing complex is projected to open in late 2024. RDC also built University residence units further north on Water Street at Nassau Mills Road, on land leased from the University.

“We are thrilled to announce this new project by RDC to build additional student housing. RDC has a proven track record of building and operating safe, quality student housing,and this development will provide more housing options for upper-year students close to the Symons Campus,” said Julie Davis, vice-president of external relations and development. “There is a need for more housing in Peterborough and this new student housing project is just one of the ways Trent is working to help alleviate some of the housing pressures in our community.”

The land is already been zoned for residential use. RDC will build and operate the three-storey townhouse-style building.

“RDC has been working with the University since 2008 as we began the process of building out the Water Street student housing development,” said Brian Freeman, senior vice president of strategy and development at Campus Living Centres. “We have worked closely with a number of campus stakeholders since then and are proud to be part of the Trent community,”

Plans are underway to build a new residence on the Symons Campus which will be followed by a full replacement and expansion of Otonabee College, adding more than 700 new beds to the University’s current complement of residence spaces according to Trent. The University-Integrated Seniors Village will be anchored by a 224-bed not-for-profit long-term care home expected to break ground in 2024.

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James Strath Students Raise Over $4,500 for Habitat for Humanity

James Strath Public School’s student-run character council raised $4,520.65 for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region through their basket raffle fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of Krista McNamara.

James Strath’s character council is made up of 46 students Grades 6 to 8 whose goal is to better their school community with fundraising and goal-setting initiatives.

These students chose Habitat for Humanity as a charity partner, then planned and executed fundraiser.

“I actually didn’t know about the fundraiser until about a week before they announced it,” says Habitat for Humanity communications and donor services manager Jenn MacDonald. “We’re appreciative of any support, but I was blown away by how much they were able to raise.”

The students more than doubled their $2,000 fundraising goal, raising just over $4,500 through themed basket raffles.

James Strath teacher Mr. Wade gets his head shaved by henry’s barber shop in front of the school to celebrate surpassing the fundraising goal. Photo courtesy of Krista McNamara.

MacDonald says the funds raised will go towards Habitat build projects, such as the 12-unit affordable condo building at Leahy’s Lane.

“We’re really happy to say that any financial donations that come to (Habitat) go 100 per cent to the construction of our affordable housing. I’m excited to follow up with the kids and show them through the build process what their support has done for the community,” MacDonald says.

Character council has organized a number of different fundraising efforts throughout the school year, including a food drive for Kawartha Food Share and making blankets through Cuddles For Cancer for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“We thought since we raised money for food, which is a need in our community, and made blankets which provided community members with warmth, that the next need would be shelter,” said James Strath teacher Krista McNamara. “Habitat is one of those organizations that always puts the community first and as schools are the hub of our community, we really need to blend together and support each other.”

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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.

A digital rendering of the six-storey building on Monaghan Road. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

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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‘The Meaning of Home’ National Student Writing Contest Returns in Support of Local Habitat for Humanity Organizations

Local elementary students Grades 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to share what home means to them in ‘The Meaning of Home’ national writing contest to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

Founded by Sagen, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2 million to help local Habitats across Canada build decent and affordable housing since 2007.

Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help a local Habitat for Humanity build a place to call home for a family in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. Winners will be announced by June.

As housing continues to be an important concern for all Canadians, it is children especially who understand how housing can provide their family with a place to study, pursue their dreams and build a better life. Every student who enters the contest will help Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region build safe and affordable homes, because every entry earns a $10 donation towards their local Habitat for Humanity.

“It is so wonderful to see the enthusiastic response each year from parents, teachers and especially the children who enter this contest and share what home means to them in their own words,” say Habitat for Humanity Canada president and CEO Julia Deans. “We know that having a safe and affordable place to call home helps people build better lives and stronger communities.”

Last year over 13,000 entries were received, the largest number of submissions Habitat Canada has ever received for this contest and raised over $311,000. From entries in 2020 and 2021, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region had 3 runner-up winners in grades 5 and 6 which lead to $30,000 in grants towards the 41-unit condo project on Leahy’s Lane in the City of Peterborough, along with a class pizza party and a tablet for the student winners.

“The Meaning of Home contest provides an opportunity to engage youth in discussions around the current state of housing, and to feel inspired about our next generation of leaders,” says Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region communications & donor services manager Jenn MacDonald. “Not only do students have a greater sense of appreciation for home, but they actively participate in giving back to their community. It’s truly a win-win!”

Submissions for this years contest are being accepted by mail or online from Jan. 9 until Feb. 24.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association Charity Auction Raises Over $19,000 with Local Habitat for Humanity

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) charity auction with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region raised over $19,000 with the help of local sponsors on Dec. 8.

Photo courtesy of PKHBA.

The funds and donations raised for affordable home ownership within the region made the 2022 fundraiser the most successful charity auction to date for PKHBA.

PKHBA plans to host another Charity Auction with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region this year on Dec. 7.

A full list of donors and their donations can be found on the PKHBA website.

Donors and sponsors who are interested in participating in 2023 can email info@pkhba.com for more information.

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Fleming College To Host Virtual Housing Seminar For First-Time Landlords

Fleming College and Places4Students are hosting a virtual housing seminar for residents in campus communities to become first-time landlords from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday.

File photo.

During the seminar, both representatives will answer questions attendees may have, including how to screen prospective student tenants, how to create a rental agreement and how to list a room on Places4Students. They will also offer free general listings to local landlords during the month of December.  

You can join the free seminar virtually here.  

For more information contact the off-campus housing office at och@flemingcollege.ca or by calling 705-749-5530 ext. 1125.

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3D Printed Homes May Be The Answer To Peterborough's Housing Crisis As Habitat For Humanity Partners With Local 3D Construction Company

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region has partnered with local 3D construction builder Cormor Inc. in hopes to create affordable homes and combat the housing crisis in Peterborough.

The recent completion of a multi-unit condo building by Habitat for Humanity on Leahy’s Lane in Peterborough enabled 41 families to move into their forever homes. File photo.

According to a release by Habitat for Humanity, residential homes and multi-unit dwellings constructed through 3D print technology are more durable, sustainable, affordable, and quicker to build, providing families with a safe and stable home for generations to come.

“At a period when the housing crisis is at an all-time high, we are excited about this unique new type of construction that will allow us to build faster, save more money, and produce much less construction waste going into the landfill, keeping our environmental footprint in front of mind,” said Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region CEO, Susan Zambonin.

Habitat construction projects in partnership with Cormor are slated to begin in 2023 and Habitat and Cormor are looking for innovative land developers/owners in the region that want to collaborate on getting more homeowners into their decent and affordable homes.

“We are thrilled about this dynamic partnership with the team at Habitat for Humanity and look forward to showcasing this innovative new form of construction/design,” said Dwight Corcoran, CEO of Cormor. "There is a local, national and global housing crisis, and our goal is to be a Canadian leader in demonstrating how this 3D technology will redefine affordable living. It will also give these families peace of mind knowing their 3D homes are built to withstand severe and unpredictable storms that are more prevalent in this era of climate change.”

With Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s assistance, homeowner families can achieve the stability, strength, and self-reliance they need to build better lives. Families are empowered to overcome the barriers that so often stand between their families and better, healthier, more financially stable lives.

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Peterborough And The Kawarthas Home Builders Association Provide Update On New Builds In June

Peterborough and The Kawarthas Home Builders Association released the June 2022 housing statistics last week and highlighted the growth in the city and county of Peterborough.

Stock Photo.

The City and County of Peterborough saw foundations poured to begin construction on 39 single residential homes in June of this year.

More specifically, six single unit houses were began in Otonabee-South-Monaghan (OSM), six in Selwyn and 27 in The City of Peterborough.

22 single residential units were completed in June, according to PKHBA. There were no residential starts or completions for semis, row, or apartments last month.

Five single unit houses were completed in Douro-Dummer, one in OSM, two in Selwyn and 14 in The City of Peterborough.

To date 338 homes have been completed in the city and county of Peterborough this year.

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