Homelessness is one of the most devastating obstacles that an individual can face. The idea of not having a safe place to sleep every night, a roof over your head or a shelter from the unbearable heat and frigid nights that our communities face is something that most of us don’t ever have to think about.
But for more than 129,000 Canadians, that is a daily reality.
United Way Peterborough & District (UWP) is pleased to announce that a Reaching Home (RH) Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open for application. As the Community Entity, UWP manages the Reaching Home program on behalf of the Government of Canada. Government of Canada provides funding to UWP that is invested locally to support individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at a risk of becoming homeless.
For your application to be considered complete and to proceed through the review process, please ensure that the following documents are included in the emailed submission:
Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.
Reaching Home supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy, in particular, to support the most vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by fiscal year 2027 to 2028.
Reaching Home operates through a model known as Coordinated Access (CA). Coordinated Access supports communities in prioritizing individuals who are in most need of assistance and then matching them to appropriate housing and services. This system aims to ensure fairness while streamlining access to housing and services.
All housing and homelessness agencies must participate in Coordinated Access. The ways that each specific agency functions within Coordinated Access will differ depending on the nature of their project and will be described within the funding agreement. An overview of the roles and responsibilities within Coordinated Access have been included below.
Reaching Home-Funded Agencies are required to:
The Coordinated Access system is supported by UWP as the Community Entity and the City of Peterborough as the Systems Manager. Their responsibilities include:
United Way Peterborough & District – Community Entity
City of Peterborough – Systems Manager
Funding applications will be reviewed for their alignment to the community priority that had been identified based on consultations with the CAB, the community, and RH-funded agencies, specifically:
Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing stock
Projects that aim to create, preserve and enable equitable access to housing stock in the community are seen to result in lasting benefits to the individuals being served and a strengthened response to homelessness by the homeless-serving agencies.
This could include but is not limited to:
Year 1: Funds available for use between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027: $844,369
Year 2: Funds available for use between April 1, 2027, and March 31, 2028: $882,309
Eligible Organizations
Eligible and Ineligible Activities
Reaching Home-Funded agencies are required to participate in the following:
Proposals that are complete and submitted on or before the deadline will be evaluated by the Community Advisory Board (CAB). Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will only be reviewed once all other applications are processed.
Proposals will be scored using a standard rubric to assess the project’s alignment to the community priorities, outcomes and deliverables identified in this Request for Proposal.
Proposals received will be scored based on the following criteria:
Email your completed application form and additional documents to: reachinghome@uwpeterborough.ca
IMPORTANT:
UWP reserves the right to ask for additional information as the review process moves forward.
If you have other questions about the funding application or budget form, please refer to the REACHING HOME APPLICATION AND BUDGET GUIDE first. All additional questions regarding this RFP should be directed to: reachinghome@uwpeterborough.ca
Coaching appointments are available upon request and encouraged. Questions will be responded to as soon as possible and applicants are encouraged to ask questions early in the application period. It is not guaranteed that UWP will be available to answer your questions on the day that the applications are due.
Reaching Home Funding Opportunities: www.uwpeterborough.ca/funding
Community Homelessness Reports: www.uwpeterborough.ca/reports
Reaching Home – Peterborough Community Plan 2024-28: www.uwpeterborough.ca/reports
☁️If you’re looking for a sign (and the chance to win big, give back and change lives) this is it!
🎟️Our next 50/50 draw takes place on January 30th! Purchase tickets online through the link in our bio.
*Ontario residents only. Must be 18 or older to purchase tickets.
Looking for a night that’s guaranteed to be unforgettable? 🎶
Peterborough Performs returns February 26th for an incredible evening of live local music!
For one night and one night only, fourteen talented local artists will take the stage under one roof, showcasing a vibrant mix of folk, pop, and everything in between. You’ll discover new favourites, sing along to familiar hits, and experience the best of Peterborough’s music scene.
Best of all, you can feel good knowing every ticket makes a difference. Proceeds raised from Peterborough Performs support our local partner agencies and their housing and homelessness initiatives. By coming together through music, we’re strengthening our community and helping create lasting solutions.
🎟️Get your tickets today at showplace.org or through the link in our bio
And don`t forget to keep an eye out for our online auction - coming soon...👀
First up in our PTBO Performs VI artist series 🎤
@caitlinoconnormusic of @detentionclubmusic
🕘 9:10 PM | Thursday February 26
📍 Main Stage, Showplace Performance Centre
🎉 Making their first-ever Peterborough Performs appearance!
PTBO Performs VI: Musicians United to End Homelessness is Peterborough’s biggest night of live music - with fourteen acts set to take both stages @ptboshowplace in support of our work ensuring everyone has a place to call home.
Tickets available online [link in bio] and at the @ptboshowplace box office.
Don’t miss it. 🔥
#PTBOPerformsVI #PTBOMusic #LiveMusicPTBO
Office pranks on Jim are back and better than ever for 2026🐭🤣!
High spirits, strong teamwork and lots of laughs and heart here at UWP.
After many years of dedicated service, we are preparing to celebrate Jim Russell’s upcoming retirement, and the incredible leadership he has provided to United Way Peterborough & District. Jim’s commitment to community, collaboration, and compassion has helped shape the organization we are today, and we are deeply grateful for the impact he leaves behind.
As we look ahead to our next chapter, we are now seeking a Chief Executive Officer to build on this strong foundation and lead UWP through continued growth and community impact guided by Reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.
💻 Learn more by visiting www.uwpeterborough.ca/ceo-hiring/ [link in bio]
📧 To apply, send a resume and cover letter (PDF) to ceohiring@uwpeterborough.ca
🗓️ Deadline for applications: February 16th, 2026
✨ We’re back in the office and kicking off our first work day of 2026 with the best kind of news! Celebrating our December 50/50 winner and the incredible community that makes moments like this possible.
❤️ Our monthly 50/50 draws are a growing way to support our 20 local partner agencies while giving Ontario residents the opportunity to win big.
🎟️ The January draw is live now - tickets are on sale through the link in our bio, and our next draw takes place on January 30 at 1:00 PM.
*Must be 18+ to purchase tickets. Ontario residents only.
From all of us at the Peterborough & District United Way, we are wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! We`re excited to continue our work with our amazing donors, partners, and volunteers in the years to come.
📅 Reminder: The tax deadline for charitable contributions is December 31.
Show your #LocalLove and donate to United Way Peterborough & District to help build community & change lives.
Consider donating today, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our work and ways to give.
2025, what a year!
We’re so grateful for the generosity, care, and community spirit that made these moments possible.
As the year comes to a close, this is also a friendly reminder that gifts made by December 31 are eligible for 2025 charitable tax receipting. Thank you for supporting your neighbours, today and all year long.
Learn more about the ways to give at the link in our bio.
Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.
🚨Reaching Home Funding Applications Are Now Open!🚨
United Way Peterborough & District is happy to share that we are accepting applications from agencies for the Reaching Home program, on behalf of the Government of Canada.
👉 What is Reaching Home? It is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.
Applications close January 22nd, 2026. Find eligibility requirements and full application details on our website:
🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow the link in our bio
To our neighbours,
As we head into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment to community have meant so much to us throughout the year.
Whether you gave your time, made a donation, attended an event, or simply showed up for local causes, you helped make Peterborough & District a stronger, more caring place.
As of 12:00 pm today (Dec. 24), our office will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5. During this time, we hope you’re able to slow down, rest, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.
From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, connection, and possibility.
There’s still time to get in on our December 50/50 draw, happening January 5! 🎉
Now when you buy your tickets, you can choose to purchase in support of one of our Campaign Cabinet members, helping grow the jackpot while celebrating the community leaders powering this year’s Campaign.
🎟️ Secure your tickets at the link in our bio!
🎶 Peterborough Performs Tickets Are On Sale Now! 🎶
Join us on February 26, 2026, for the city’s most anticipated music event of the year! 14 local musicians are set to take the stage at Showplace Performance Centre to support United Way Peterborough and our partner agencies who advocate for people experiencing homelessness.
This event is made possible thanks to our amazing sponsors. Their generosity directly fuels organizations and programs that make our community stronger, more inclusive, and a better place to call home. 🙌
🎟️ Grab your tickets today at showplace.org to join us for an unforgettable night of music that makes a difference.
