‘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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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.

Stock Photo.

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.

Stock Photo.

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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