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.

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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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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.

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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.

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Average Monthy Home Price In Peterborough Hits A Record $814,495 In January

The average monthly home price in the City of Peterborough surpassed $800,000 in January, for the first time ever.

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The average price of homes sold in January $814,495 which is up 21.9 per cent from January 2021.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors reported that 80 homes were sold in January 2022, down 20 per cent from January 2021.

There were 120 new residential listings in January which is the lowest number of new listings added in the month of January in more than 35 years, the association reported.

The association also reported that the 78 active listings left at the end of the month were down 22.8 per cent from a year ago and the lowest in more than two decades.

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Housing Stability Fund And Rent Supplement Program Update

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, the Housing Stability Fund and Housing Choice Rent Supplement programs will be available through Social Services with the City of Peterborough, rather than at the Housing Resource Centre as previously administered.

People who receive Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are not affected by the changes to the Housing Stability Fund administration as they can already access the program through Social Services.

This change will impact individuals who:

• receive a Housing Choice Rent Supplement; or

• access emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness or to move into housing and who do not receive OW or ODSP.

For more information and to review frequently asked questions click here.

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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.

Photo Courtesy of The Mount Community Centre.

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.

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Former Religious Residence Converting Into Housing With Community Help

The former Mount St. Joseph’s complex is being renovated into housing units by The Mount Community Centre (MCC) with help from more than 200 volunteers.

Former Winnipeg resident Andi van Koeverden (pictured) has completed her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Manitoba. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 10-acre property was purchased back in 2013 and is a $4 million campaign to fully complete construction, all backed by volunteers.

It is being built by Beavermead Construction however work such as painting, furnishing or landscaping is done through volunteers.

This is the building’s final phase of construction where 63 housing units have already been developed since 2013. Construction this fall will add another five housing units and project completion will total 74 residential units.

Andi van Koeverden, MCC Director of Strategic Advancement acknowledges the affordable housing problem that has been a complaint by several Peterborough citizens and believes this is another step towards reliving that issue.

“In 2014, the City and Counsel committed to building 500 affordable units in 10 years,” she said. “We have added 63 units to that count. That is quite substantial.”

The units already contain several amenities such as a food centre, office space, public venue space and a café (currently closed due to COVID-19).

The following is where the money is being invested:

• $2,665,000 Centre & North Wing Renovations

• $710,000 Food Centre

• $500,000 Sustainability Fund

• $125,000 Grounds & Gardens

The Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network opted to turn the property into affordable housing back in 2011 according to van Koeverden.

“This group was looking at acquiring a building of some kind and turning it into affordable housing and a food centre,” she said. “They turned the ownership over to the Mount Community Centre Board of Directors who managed the redevelopment from then on.”

The MCC is continuing to seek donations and projects to finish construction within the next two years according to van Koeverden.

Donations to the construction campaign can be found here. You can also volunteer by calling 705-875-5095.

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New Downtown Lofts Constructed From Old YMCA Building

The old YMCA on the corner of George Street and Murray Street has finally been converted into upscale loft apartments in a private showing on Thursday.

Hans Jain, Atria president (far right) with staff members at The Black Horse Pub with the new YLofts building. Photo by David Tuan Bui

The lofts known as Y Lofts are owned and built by the Toronto-based company Atria, a development corporation. Hans Jain, Atria president along with staff hosted tours to media and community members with a luncheon at The Black Horse Pub.

Terry Guiel, Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director praised Jain for respecting and honouring the history of the city with YLofts. The building named several room models after familiar Peterborough names such as Chemong, Algonquin and Kawartha.

"They've done their research and show us that they care about this community," he said. "They're not coming in and saying, 'we're a big Toronto firm and come jump on us', they're saying, 'we want to be a part of your community.’"

YLofts occupy the old YMCA location which was first built in 1896. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Councillor Henry Clarke showed his appreciation of the new lofts as it gives easy accessibility to several downtown amenities while revitalizing the area.

"The downtown is the economic engine of the city," he said. "To see this whole section come back to life, it's wonderful."

The Y Lofts range from $1,650 to $2,550 a month. The residence features a courtyard, gym, rooftop patio and communal barbeques as some of several available amenities included in the rent.

Atria has already begun accepting new tenants to be moved in on Sept. 1.

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Federal Government Is Financing $8.5 Million To Help Construct 3-Storey Rental Unit In Peterborough

Maryam Monsef, MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, announced that the federal government is financing $8.5 million to help construct a three-storey, 27 rental unit building located at 888 Whitefield Drive in Peterborough.

The 888 Whitefield Drive development by Parkview Homes is receiving financing through the Government of Canada’s Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program delivered by CMHC that supports rental housing construction projects. The program encourages a stable supply of rental housing for middle-class families struggling in expensive housing markets.

Maryam Monsef making announement on Livestream Friday, February 5th, 2021

Since 2019, the Government of Canada has now invested nearly $25 million to build housing in Peterborough-Kawartha with other projects at the Brock Mission, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough, and Water Street.

That is in addition to prior housing investments for projects at The Mount Community Centre, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, and Peterborough Housing Corporation’s McRae project.

“COVID-19 has reminded us that nothing is more important than a home,” says Monsef. “As we all do our part to contain the spread, homes have become a sanctuary—a place of safety and refuge in challenging times. Today’s announcement means more than $30 million has been invested by the Government of Canada to renovate, subsidize and build 1,600 housing units in Peterborough-Kawartha. That’s 1,600 families with a safe roof over their head, 1,600 families who get to live, grow, and excel in this community we are all fortunate to call home. And there is more to come.”

“Peterborough has a significant need for more safe and accessible housing,” adds Mayor Therrien. “I would like to thank MP Monsef for her work to push this project forward, as well as CMHC and Parkview Homes for their commitment to providing secure, energy efficient units that meet the needs of our community.”

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