Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region Finds Solution for Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes
A new partnership between Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) and Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) will provide some interim solutions to the local homelessness crisis.
As a fellow shelter-based organization providing access to affordable homeownership, Habitat PKR had been following PATH on their mission and saw an opportunity where they could help in a big way.
Habitat PKR has purchased the former Peterborough Humane Society building on Lansdowne St. E., with future plans to build a mixed-use development. While Habitat PKR works through the planning and development stages, the property will be leased to PATH to support their intentions to create a transitional living center for individuals in the community who are unhoused.
Since 2021, PATH has been working on a grassroots level advocating for solutions including a transitional community of sleeping cabins with wraparound supports to bring stability to individuals experiencing homelessness. While several sleeping cabins have been constructed and PATH has built a community of support, they have experienced challenges in acquiring land to support this much-needed transitional living community.
Habitat PKR Susan Zambonin announcing the partnership with Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH)
Our vision at Habitat for Humanity is a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. This partnership will allow Habitat PKR to give a hand-up to PATH and unhoused members of our community by providing them with a safe place where they can connect, heal, and build community,” says Habitat PKR CEO, Susan Zambonin.
Peterborough’s housing crisis has been exacerbated by overlapping crises of trauma, mental health, addictions, disability and much more. With a shelter system unable to meet the complex needs of our community, and one of the lowest vacancy rates across Ontario’s metropolitan areas, the unhoused in our community are left with few supports and are being pushed to the margins of society.
Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) Chair, Trish Campbell, discussing the opportunities this partnership will bring to address homelessness crisis in the community
“Habitat for Humanity has just made it possible for PATH’s dream to become a reality,” says PATH Chair Trish Campbell. “This is the birth of a creative relationship to respond to Peterborough’s housing and homelessness crisis.
“We can move ahead now on the many pledges of financial and in-kind support from the wider community,” adds Keith Dalton, PATH’s land acquisitions lead. “The missing piece has been land. PATH is happy to partner on this with Habitat for Humanity PKR.”
While this project is in the early development stages, an open house will be scheduled in the coming weeks to give neighbouring residents an opportunity to learn more and provide feedback. If residents have questions, or comments, or would like to submit statements of support, they can be emailed to pathadm22@gmail.com in the meantime.
More details about the project will be coming soon.
If you have any inquiries for Habitat PKR about this partnership, please contact Communications and Donor Services Manager, Jenn MacDonald at jenn@habitatpkr.ca.
Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes is a grassroots not-for-profit organization working to provide a community of homes to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in the Peterborough region. PATH’s transitional housing model brings a holistic approach to community care providing not only housing but wraparound supports.
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Thank you for your interest in supporting Habitat PKR in providing much-needed safe, decent and affordable housing in Peterborough & the Kawartha Region. Your generosity helps families, individuals, couples, & seniors, achieve their dream of purchasing their own home, helping local households build strength, stability, and independence.