"It's a Deepening Crisis" United Way's Annual Housing Report Sees Continued Downward Trend

The United Way Peterborough & District has released its 20th edition of ‘Housing is Fundamental,’ which is a report that tracked the cost and availability of rental housing in Peterborough from 2004 to 2024, announced on Wednesday morning.

Paul Armstrong authored the Housing is Fundamental report annually. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Author Paul Armstrong says the research also seeks to contextualize the pressures households face in maintaining safe, affordable housing. His main takeaway is that their housing in Peterborough has trended downward repeatedly.

“It's a deepening crisis,” explained Armstrong. “This is something that compounds year over year over year, and it's been happening for 25 to 30 years. We are in a very, very bad set of circumstances and housing is underscoring the times of social deficiencies that we have.

The following are his key findings:

• Current vacancy rate: 3.1 per cent

• Current two-bedroom rent: $1,506/month, a 6.7 per cent increase over last year

• 20 per cent of purpose-built rental units are owned by financial firms- approximately 400,000 units nationally

• Over a 20-year period rent for a two-bedroom unit has gone up 88.95 per cent The current welfare rate for a single person is $733/month, while the average bachelor apartment rents for $956/month

“As a society, we are in decline of people who can't afford their housing when they have to line up for their food. The significant numbers that where you find this in housing and in food insecurity. We are in a time that we can safely say that we have first-world and third-world societies co-existing.”

“We need to see housing as a human right,” explained Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We need to understand that success in life requires safe affordable housing. We need to be ever vigilant to the creeping presence of a predatory capitalism."

Trent University’s Dr. Naomi Nichols, director of research for the social change lab Trent had analyzed Armstrong’s report.

“This year's Housing is Fundamental report demonstrates the deep need for non-profit and public investments in affordable rental housing to lessen the financial pressures facing individuals and families in our community,” she explained. “Peterborough residents are being squeezed. Despite a softening of local vacancy rates since 2022, average market rents and the cost of food continue to rise faster than household incomes.”

“We are living the effects of the globalization of inequality and the proliferation of economic hardship,” concluded Armstrong. “To know and witness this progression is to call for justice and rebalancing.”

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Railyard Development On East City's Hunter Street Officially Complete

Ashburnham Realty’s Railyard Development in East City on Hunter Street has officially been completed.

Photo courtesy of Ashburnham Realty.

“Our team is very happy to see the results of their efforts, and we are very fortunate to have long standing relationships with the local trades used,” said Paul Bennett, Ashburnham Realty owner.

With the final building now complete, half of the building has already been leased. Decorated by Michelle Beattie and Leon’s Peterborough, there are four furnished suites currently available for living.

“The tenants within the Railyard buildings have really taken ownership and created a community atmosphere offering game nights, potlucks and holiday-themed gatherings,” said Bennett. “There are groups of residents that bike together while others enjoy a leisurely walk along the trail. What we admire most about these buildings is that everyone knows your name and is welcoming.”

Photo courtesy of Ashburnham Realty.

The Railyard has occupants such as BMO Wealth Management, Duane Grant Thornton offices and The Railyard Cafe.

Nearby amenities include Ashburnham Ale House Foodland Grocery Store, Hard Winter Bakery, Black’s Distillery, Law & Orders and more.

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Federal and Provincial Governments Provide $830,015 of Additional Funding For Seven Housing Units In Peterborough

During the grand opening of the multi-storey housing unit at 681 Monaghan Rd., the federal and provincial governments announced an additional investment of $830,015 for constructing seven housing units for vulnerable populations in Peterborough on Thursday morning.

Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP (left); Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister (centre) and Mayor Jeff Leal (right) during the grand opening of the multi-storey housing on 681 Monaghan Rd. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made by Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP, on behalf of Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada; and Brian Saunderson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, alongside Jeff Leal, Mayor of Peterborough and Bonnie Clark, Warden of Peterborough County.

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. This investment will help many families and individuals to heal and rebuild their lives, offering not just a home but also hope,” said Harrison. “The federal government’s ongoing support and commitment to creating affordable housing will help improve the lives of the most vulnerable from our community, here in Peterborough.”

“The federal government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to address the housing crisis,” said Robertson. “The projects announced today will provide more safe, affordable homes for the most vulnerable residents of Peterborough. I’m proud of our government’s involvement, and of the tangible difference it will make for people in this community.”

Rebekah Victor or Peterborough Housing Corporation tours (far left) the dignitaries through a vacant unit of the multi-storey unit. The Governments of Canada and Ontario previously announced over $854,000 for this project, bringing the total joint federal-provincial investment to more than $1.6 million. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The units are part of a new six-storey affordable housing development. The building comprises 53 units; including 37 one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units. The building is designed to support individuals and families facing challenges. This project represents a significant step toward addressing the community's urgent housing needs according Mayor Jeff Leal.

“The City of Peterborough is facing significant housing challenges, and the project at 681 Monaghan Rd. represents a major step forward in addressing them,” he said. “By working in partnership with the federal and provincial governments, we are securing the resources needed to build and repair affordable homes for the people who need them most. These investments provide safe, stable housing, and they strengthen our community for years to come. This project shows what we can accomplish at the local level by working together with our provincial and federal partners.”

This investment is made through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative. It is an initiative under the Canada-Ontario Bilateral Agreement, part of the National Housing Strategy.

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Long-Term Care Home Underway For Trent University

Construction is underway to build peopleCare Peterborough, a new 224-bed long-term care home at Trent University’s Symons Campus, announced by Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta on Tuesday morning.

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care (pictured) visited Peterborough and the Kawarthas, making stops at Trent University and Station Place Long-Term Care Home in Havelock. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Following years of planning, breaking ground on this long-term care home marks a meaningful step forward for Trent, for peopleCare, and for the community,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “This project will help meet the urgent need for long-term care, while also creating a space where innovation, research, and learning come together to improve quality of life for older adults. It’s a place where care will be practiced with compassion, informed by evidence, and to benefit others.”

This project is a recipient of the provincial Construction Funding Subsidy top-up. Kusendova-Bashta says this is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by creating good jobs and building for the future, while ensuring long-term care residents get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve.

“Our government is improving long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff, and protecting those who reside in them,” she explained. “Once construction is complete, 224 people will have a new home where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”

Located at the corner of Water Street and Woodland Drive, the home is designed with advanced Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) features and engineered technologies. The long-term care home will provide a safe, supportive environment for residents, families, staff, and students alike, and create approximately 200 local jobs in the Peterborough region.

“PeopleCare is thrilled to build and operate a new long-term care home that will be a centre of excellence for aging adults in Peterborough, as part of Trent University's Integrated Seniors Village,” said Brent Gingerich, peopleCare chairman and CEO. “We’re excited to collaborate with an innovative partner like Trent and create something truly unique, where clinical best practices, teaching, research and intergenerational connections come together.”

The home will also be surrounded by 55 acres of natural areas and trails.

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City Council Approves Zoning By-law Amendment For East City 17-Storey High-Rise

City Council has endorsed rezoning 90 Hunter St. E. which would include a 17-storey mixed-use building, during their meeting on Monday evening.

With a proposed 205 residential units, the 90 Hunter St. E. proposal would represent approximately four per cent of the City’s housing target. Photo courtesy of Raw Design Inc. and the City of Peterborough.

The rezoning involves changing its current designation from church use to include residential use.

The property is at the northwest corner of the intersection of Mark Street and Hunter Street East. Currently, Mark Street United Church occupies the property, which is subject to the Downtown Core Area Designation and partially subject to the Residential designation of the Official Plan.

The 17-storey, mixed-use building, built on the western portion of the property, would contain 205 residential apartments and 232 square metres of ground-floor commercial space. The eastern portion of the property would accommodate the retained church on a smaller lot. The zoning boundary would follow the proposed line of severance.

The property is centrally located along the primary commercial street of the East City neighbourhood. The street is currently primarily made up of low-rise commercial with three storeys or less, with many properties having large surface parking areas. Properties to the north are predominantly low-density residential.

Recent planning approvals have introduced mid- and high-rise mixed-use and residential developments to the area, including the Railyards residential-commercial mixed-use development at six storeys, the 195 Hunter St. E. development at nine storeys and the Skyline – Times Square building at 12 storeys.

According to the City, various technical studies have been submitted in support of the application, such as an urban design analysis, an environmental assessment, a heritage impact study, a noise impact study, a traffic impact study and a hydrogeological assessment.

On Nov. 27, 2023, Council pledged to support the construction of 4,700 new dwellings by 2031 as requested by the Minister on June 16, 2023. Provincially, municipal housing pledges are a key tool for ensuring the construction of 1.5 million new homes by 2031, addressing the ongoing housing supply and affordability crisis. At this time, the City is 29 per cent of the way towards the target (1,356 of 4,700 units).

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Provincial Government Investing $3,011,250 to Build More Homes In Peterborough

The Ontario government is investing $3,011,250 in water infrastructure to help build approximately 1,400 new homes in the City of Peterborough, announced beside the Maria Street bridge on Monday afternoon.

MPP Dave Smith (left) and Mayor Jeff Leal (right) before the media beside the Maria Street Bridge on Ashburnham Road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Funding is being delivered through the province’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Our government is committed to building a stronger, more prosperous Peterborough, and this investment is a clear demonstration of that commitment,” he said. “By providing the foundational infrastructure to enable 1,400 new homes, we are not only addressing our housing supply needs but also stimulating economic growth and creating jobs right here at home. This is about building a community where future generations can live, work, and thrive.”

The City of Peterborough will use the funding for the Eastern Trunk Sani-Sewer project, which is intended to serve the Liftlock growth area. According to Mayor Jeff Leal, the project aims to improve water and wastewater infrastructure to support the city's growth and housing development goals.

“The Eastern Trunk Sani-Sewer project will ensure that we have the critical infrastructure in place for sustainable growth as we continue to meet our housing targets,” said Leal. “This funding is a vital step toward building a thriving, resilient community where families can put down roots and businesses can grow.”

@ptbo_canada The Ontario government is investing $3,011,250 in water infrastructure to help build approximately 1,400 new homes in the City of Peterborough. #ptbocanada #peterborough #journalism #news #fyp ♬ Best One Yet - Layup

The MHIP includes investments in housing and community-enabling infrastructure that will help municipalities deliver the core infrastructure needed, such as roads and water systems, to lay the foundation for new homes in communities across the province, according to the Ontario Government.

This round of funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through the MHIP to about 800,000.

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Morrow Building Open As Temporary Shelter Until Friday

Individuals experiencing homelessness can access a temporary shelter, open until Friday morning, at the Morrow Building. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The temporary shelter will be open nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. during its operational period. 

The temporary shelter will have 30 beds. It will supplement the traditional shelter network that includes 40 beds for men at Brock Mission, 12 beds for women at Cameron House, 30 beds for youth and families at YES emergency shelter as well as the homelessness services program that includes an overnight drop-in program for 45 people at Trinity Community Centre.

People experiencing homelessness who contact emergency shelters or Social Services to access shelter beds may be referred to the temporary shelter if beds are not available in the regular shelter network. 

Social Services assists people who are experiencing homelessness with accessing available services, including emergency shelter and housing programs. For assistance with emergency shelter, contact Social Services at 705-748-8830, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or after-hours emergency shelter services at 705-926-0096.

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Construction Nears Completion on Peterborough’s New Affordable Housing Building On Monaghan Road

Construction is approaching completion on the City of Peterborough’s new affordable housing building at 681 Monaghan Rd.

The project received $18.9 million in federal funding through the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI3), $40,000 from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Seed Funding program, $1,684,286 through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI), with the City of Peterborough contributing $4 million. City Council decided in February 2023 to use a special one-time dividend from City of Peterborough Holdings Inc. to support its funding for this project. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The six-storey building comprises 53 units including 37 one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units. The ground floor features amenity space and utilities.

The dwelling prioritizes housing for vulnerable populations in Peterborough.

Residents are set to start moving into the building in April. This will be a staged process and the City is assisting with the relocation. Some residents are transitioning into Monaghan Road from transitional housing, thereby freeing up those units for other individuals in need of transitional housing.

“681 Monaghan Rd. is a significant step forward in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in our community,” said Myor Jeff Leal. “This project not only provides safe and stable homes for vulnerable residents but also creates a positive ripple effect, freeing up much-needed emergency housing. We are grateful for the collaboration between all levels of government in making this a reality.”

“This building is about more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about dignity, stability, and opportunity for a wide spectrum of residents. With support from all levels of government, we’re taking meaningful steps to address affordable housing needs in Peterborough. This building will make a lasting difference in the lives of many,” said Councillor Alex Bierk and Councillor Lesley Parnell in a joint statement.

A grand opening celebration for the housing complex will occur this spring.

Construction on 681 Monaghan Rd. began in fall 2023.

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PATH and One City's "Tiny Home" Project Available For Tenancy Starting Friday

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and One City Peterborough have completed their first ‘Tiny Home’ project, with tenancy availability opening on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

This project was initiated in September last year following planning approval by the city under its 2023 Additional Rental Unit (ARU) guide. The project was funded by charitable donations from PATH and One City donors and building gifts and materials from Kingdon Timber Mart and Gus’s Kitchen and Bath.

PATH provided design and contract management, along with arranging for 1500 volunteer hours toward the completion of this project, ensuring that the house was completed on time and within budget. The resulting 400-square-foot home is a fully equipped, accessibly designed, affordable private home that adds to One City’s growing supportive housing stock.

One City currently provides housing support to 34 people in their congregate housing program, all of which are congregate housing sites. This project is their first single-occupancy housing unit.

“There is a distinct need for this kind of private accommodation for people who are transitioning from being unhoused,” said Michael Van Der Herberg, One City property development manager. For many people who were previously unhoused, living in a shared space, while cost effective, is not ideal for personal recovery.”

Plans are underway for similar units to be constructed in the coming year at an estimated cost of $100,000 or less per unit, according to PATH. Low-cost construction is key to making these tiny homes affordable. PATH will continue to work with community partners, local builders, and city staff to provide design studies, permit applications and construction support to help make this possible.

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City of Peterborough to Receive Over $10 Million Over Three Years Through the Housing Accelerator Fund

The City of Peterborough will receive $10,690,354 in funding over three years through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

It is a federal program run by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to support building more housing in Peterborough.

“Housing is a critical need in our community. This funding will help Peterborough build the foundation for greater housing development in our community. I would like to thank the federal government and the CMHC for recognizing the urgency here in Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

A City Council report in March will outline details about the initiatives and next steps.

The City’s HAF Action Plan aims to unlock housing development by providing direct incentives for constructing additional dwelling units, missing middle housing such as triplexes and fourplexes, and affordable housing and making systemic changes to municipal policies and procedures according to the City.

The following is the list of initiatives that make up the City’s Action Plan:

• Reduce or eliminate residential parking requirements;

• End exclusionary zoning and incentivize missing middle housing;

• Increase process efficiency by implementing a public-facing e-permitting portal;

• Implement a Community Planning Permit System;

• Make City-owned land available and foster partnerships to develop housing;

• Formalize processes and resources to support housing innovation and alternative construction methods; and,

• Modernizing the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan.

The HAF grant will cover the cost of implementing these initiatives. Most of these initiatives are scheduled to be completed or implemented this year.

The City has already received 25 per cent of the funding. The remaining installments will be paid out as the City hits key milestones in its goal to issue residential construction permits for 1,410 housing units within the next three years.

This funding follows a successful application by the City during the second round of funding announced by the CMHC.

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