City of Peterborough Provides Overflow Shelter Bed Program Update

The City of Peterborough has updated the Overflow Shelter Bed Program.

File Photo.

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program at 210 Wolfe St. will temporarily relocate to the Peterborough Public Library starting Thursday to allow renovations to begin on the Wolfe Street building. It will be converted into a service hub for people experiencing homelessness who will be living in a new Modular Bridge Housing community. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program will operate overnight in the lower level of the Library from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, outside of the regular business hours of the Library at 345 Aylmer St. N., temporarily until the new winter overnight drop-in space operated by One City at Trinity Centre opens this fall. 

With progress underway on the construction and installation of the Modular Bridge Housing community at the Rehill Parking Lot on Wolfe Street, preparations will start on the new hub for homelessness services that will be in the building that is currently used for the Overflow Shelter Bed Program at 210 Wolfe St. 

Occupancy of the Modular Bridge Housing community with 50 units is expected in the fall. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program will continue to operate as an overnight emergency shelter used when the main shelters are at capacity.  

There are 106 shelter beds in the shelter system, which includes the three main shelters – Brock Mission, Cameron House, and the YES Shelter – and the Overflow Shelter Bed Program. The Overflow Shelter has 32 beds. Over the last week, an average of four beds have been used and 28 are available at the Overflow Shelter nightly.

Last week, One City and the City of Peterborough announced that they have entered into a three-year agreement for One City to operate a winter overnight drop-in space at the Trinity Centre in the former Trinity United Church at 360 Reid St. One City is completing renovations of its space. When One City opens the winter overnight drop-in space, the Overflow Shelter Bed Program will be closed. There will be no gap in service during the transition between the two programs. 

The winter overnight drop-in space is part of a winter homelessness response strategy and a broader homelessness services plan approved by City Council. 

In addition to the winter overnight drop-in space, One City will operate a year-round daytime drop-in centre. 

The Overflow Shelter Bed Program temporarily operated at the Peterborough Public Library from July 2019 to February 2020, when it relocated to the Murray Street Baptist Church before moving to its current location in a former office building at 210 Wolfe St. in February 2021. 

To access emergency shelter, individuals can use the contact information provided below: 

• Brock Mission for men, 217 Murray St., 705-748-4766, ext. 1 

• Cameron House for women, 738 Chemong Rd., 705-748-4766, ext. 2 

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 196 Brock St., 705-748-3851 

• Overflow Shelter Bed Program, when the main shelters are full, 345 Aylmer St. N. starting September 21 

Individuals without a phone can visit the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. to connect with available shelter services. 

Individuals can call 705-926-0096 for shelter services outside of regular office hours.

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AON Inc Planning 550 Premier Seniors Development Units On Clonsilla Avenue

Planning multi-phase apartment buildings, retirement homes and premier seniors development by AON Inc. has begun as part of their AIRWAYS development project at the Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Wednesday.

Brad Smith (left) and Rob Elliot (right) at the site of where the units will be built on Clonsilla Avenue over 22-acres. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 22-acre community will be spread out over up to eight buildings and include many outdoor community amenities according to a press release. Located at the end of Clonsilla Road near Lansdowne Street, the property is off a hilltop which has great views according to Brad Smith, AON President.

“The views from this area are phenomenal,” he explained. “You either have views of the golf course or overlooking the City of Peterborough with all the trees in the area and the views in the fall are spectacular. When I was putting this together, it really fit with our portfolio and the growth of the seniors community.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kawartha Golf Club remains intact during the whole construction process set to begin next year. The proposed units to be built could aid in generating extra income for the club as they look forward to working with AON Inc. according to Rob Elliot, Kawartha Golf Club president.

“The Kawartha Golf Club looks forward to AON Inc. creating this wonderful community and the opportunities that may arise for the Club to integrate with it,” he said.

“There will be nothing in size and variety to compare to this project in Peterborough and the region’s growing seniors’ population will welcome these much-needed residential options including the safety features this community will offer them,” said Smith. “Never have so many senior geared lifestyle options been incorporated into one community. The FAIRWAYS will be a premier community for seniors and AON is excited to commence on the necessary next steps with the City of Peterborough to make this community a reality.”

This is a proposed development of 550 units and must go through the approval processes with the City of Peterborough. At this time, the plan remains a proposal until formally finalized.

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City Council Amends By-Law To Allow Tenting On Wolfe Street Municipal Parking Lot

After a City Council meeting on Aug. 5, the City of Peterborough’s Parks and Facilities by-law and Trespass by-law has been temporarily amended to temporarily allow tenting on the Wolfe Street municipal parking lot.

There are beds available within the City’s shelter system which includes 106 beds at four emergency shelters. Last week, there was an average of 40 beds available each night including 27 each night at the overflow shelter bed program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The lot is at the southeast corner of Aylmer and Wolfe Street where construction of a new Modular Bridge Housing community on the nearby Rehill Parking Lot is occurring.

Allowing tenting on the secondary parking lot at Aylmer and Wolfe Streets helps create a clear, safe work site for the construction of the Modular Bridge Housing community that will include 50 individual units for people experiencing homelessness according to the City.

Tenting remains prohibited on all other City properties, except Beavermead Campground when permitted.

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Dietrich Homes Nominated For Two Awards Including Builder of the Year

Dietrich Homes is a finalist for the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA)'s 2023 Awards of Distinction for Builder of the Year (Small Volume) and for Low-Rise Amenity announced on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Dietrich Homes.

The OHBA Awards of Distinction recognizes the creativity, innovation and excellence of land developers, builders, renovators, designers, marketers and service professionals within the Ontario residential construction industry according to a press release.

“Dietrich Homes is thrilled to be announced as a 2023 Builder of the Year (Low Volume) and Low-Rise Amenity finalist,” said Paul Dietrich, Dietrich Homes owner and builder. “We appreciate the recognition from our Industry peers and colleagues of our team efforts and engagement of our Preferred Vendors to deliver an exceptional product with an outstanding client experience.”

The OHBA's 2023 Awards of Distinction ceremony will occur on Sept. 19 in Collingwood, Ontario.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Makes $50,000 Donation to YES Shelter To Expand Housing

To expand housing, The Rotary Club of Peterborough has donated $50,000 to the YES Shelter for Youth and Families in a cheque presentation made on Monday afternoon.

This funding is a part of Rotary’s Centennial Celebrations, helping the community in their 100th year of local service. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

This funding allows YES to open three new permanent spaces in their RISE Youth Housing Program. It facilitates the renovation and maintenance of an existing RISE Youth Housing location according to a press release.

“I am pleased to be presenting this cheque for the YES RISE Youth Housing Program to fund a place and program where youth are supported with skills to transition from homelessness and living in a shelter towards living on their own often finishing high school, a college program or into employment,” said Betty Halman-Plumley, Rotary president.

The $50,000 is part of the Rotary’s $100,000 commitment that was made last year.

“The Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha is very pleased to partner with the Peterborough Rotary Club in providing funding for YES’ Rise Youth Housing Program,” said Paul Landau, Peterborough Kawartha Club president. “This program ensures that youth in the community have a safe place to live and also learn strategies to support their recovery.”

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City to Build 50-Unit Modular Bridge Housing Community For the Homeless Being Constructed In September

The City of Peterborough is creating a 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing on Wolfe Street for anyone experiencing homelessness with construction to begin in September.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Several of the individual units are being built off-site before being delivered to the property. Each unit will have access to electricity, a heating and cooling system.

Over the next several weeks, through conversations to identify how support services at the Modular Bridge Housing project will align with each individual’s specific needs, the City will provide offers of accommodation for the new units as stated in a press release.

The units will be a bridge to move people into more permanent housing.

“I'm proud of the progress we've made towards the plan at Wolfe Street, and I think it’s a significant step in the right direction to address the needs of the community, and establish structure and support in the area,” said Councillor Alex Bierk, vice chair of the City's Housing and Homelessness portfolios. “We are meeting people where they are at and have put in a lot of work to collaborate with community partners and create more accessible shelter options.”

Council approved a comprehensive homelessness strategy in May. Part of the strategy includes:

• The 50-unit Modular Bridge Housing project

• Opening a new winter overnight drop-in centre

• Creating a service hub to support the Modular Bridge Housing community

Details are being finalized on the location of the winter overnight drop-in centre that will be open for six months every year and a year-round daytime meal program that will replace the current One Roof community meal program and drop-in centre.

Once the new overnight drop-in centre opens and the Modular Bridge Housing project is ready, the Wolfe Street building will be converted from an overflow shelter program into a service hub to support the Modular Bridge Housing community.

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Federal and Provincial Government Fund $2.5 Million To Provide More Affordable Housing In Peterborough-Kawartha

The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario have funded $2,457,000 to help create 63 more affordable community housing units for the Hunt Terrance on 555 Bonacord St., announced on Monday morning.

Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor (left), Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (middle) and Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County warden at the Hunt Terrace on 555 Bonacord St. Amenities in the building include dining room with meal options, laundry facilities and a common room. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“What it does is it reduces the actual operating costs for the building because we're cutting that mortgage down by $2.5 million,” explained Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. “That mortgage payment on that amount is not going to be factored into what they have to have in order to operate it so it gives them the flexibility then to lower the cost on 63 of the units in total.”

The funding is part of a project investment of over $46 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) to create 267 affordable housing units across the province according to a press release.

Hunt Terrace is a six-storey building that has 85 units in total including both one- and two-bedroom units. There are specific units for those who require health and/or housing support which is provided on-site through community partners.

“555 Bonaccord is a unique building for PHC (Peterborough Housing Corporation), offering both market and affordable units in a multigenerational setting,” said Hope Lee, PHC CEO. “The ground floor commercial space offers several amenities such as on-site offices for support partners, common spaces for tenants, meeting facilities for the public and dining options for both tenants and the public. The COCHI funding is a much-appreciated contribution towards our capital costs.”

"Our community is working together to build affordable housing, to build homes,” said Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor. The dedicated team at the City’s social housing agency, Peterborough Housing Corporation, led a true community effort to build the $31.1-million, 85-unit second phase at Hunt Terraces that includes 65 community housing units and 20 market rent units.”

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Update on Modular Temporary Housing on Wolfe Street in Peterborough

Construction fencing is being installed at the municipal parking lots at the east end of Wolfe Street starting July 12 in preparation for the placement of modular temporary housing on the site in the fall.

photo by david tuan bui.

The fencing is being installed around the municipal parking lot at Wolfe and Aylmer streets as well as along sections of the south and north sides of the Rehill Parking Lot that is between Dalhousie and Wolfe streets. Gates have been put up to prevent vehicular access to the parking lots.

Temporary washrooms will be installed in the Rehill Parking Lot in the next couple of weeks.

Social Services outreach workers are speaking with individuals at the encampment site who are experiencing homelessness as part of the preparations for the modular temporary housing. Temporary modular housing units will offer a new housing option for individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Through an enhanced homelessness services plan approved by Council, the City is installing modular temporary housing, will provide a new drop-in centre service, and will convert the Wolfe Street building that is currently used for the Overflow Shelter Bed service into a homelessness services hub with community agencies providing services out of the building.

In addition to speaking with people who are experiencing homelessness, the City is working with the surrounding neighbourhood. A neighbourhood liaison committee is being created with residents, Council representatives, a representative from Peterborough Police Service, and City staff members.

The construction fencing is temporary. Planning for the modular temporary housing will include site design and privacy fencing for both the residents of the modular temporary housing and the residents who live in the surrounding neighbourhood.

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Grade Six Student Earns $10,000 Grant For Habitat For Humanity From National Writing Contest

Grade 6 student Ellyot W. earned Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region a $10,000 grant after being announced as a runner-up in the Meaning of Home national writing contest.

Ellyot read her story during the ground-breaking ceremony of Habitat’s phase two project on Leahy’s Lane. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The contest encourages students in Grades 4-6 to share what home means to them through a short essay or poem.

Students were asked what the ‘Meaning of Home’ is to them and 12,265 students were entered into the contest. Ellyot was one of nine runner-ups with her entry ‘What Home Means To Me.’

“I’d like to congratulate Ellyot for her participation and incredible efforts in supporting affordable housing in her community,” said Susan Zambonin, Habitat CEO. “Her winning $10,000 grant will go towards building 12 new affordable homes on the very ground in which she stood and read her winning entry on Tuesday morning. Because of her hard work and heartfelt story, we can help more local families and individuals have access to safe and affordable homeownership.”

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