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
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.
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we are sharing the news that our CEO, Jim Russell, will retire in July 2026.
Since joining United Way Peterborough & District in 2011, Jim has been a steady and passionate force for community change, leading more than $36 million in revenue generation and championing critical work to address poverty, homelessness, and income inequality across our region.
Under Jim’s leadership, United Way Peterborough and District has strengthened its role as a trusted community partner through impactful research, including Housing is Fundamental, multiple Point-in-Time Counts, and The Gap reports on income adequacy and living wages.
Jim’s commitment to Peterborough & District, and to building a more equitable, resilient community, has left a lasting mark. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his legacy over the coming months.
Please join us in congratulating Jim on his incredible contributions to our community!
🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only!
We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign!
Which one’s your favourite? 🤨
#UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity
As the holidays approach, we wanted to share a quick update on our office hours.
Our office will be closing early on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as we celebrate the season with our staff, board and committees. We will then be closed beginning at noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through January 5, returning to regular office hours in the new year.
If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7.
Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨
Looking for food support this holiday season?
Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals.
peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
Last-minute shoppers, we’ve got you covered! 🎄
Check out our holiday gift guide for one of a kind ideas.
🎶 For the music lover on your list:
Give the gift of live music with 2 tickets to Peterborough Performs on February 26. Featuring fourteen local artists performing all styles of music from eclectic pop to acoustic folk. Grab your tickets at showplace.org
🎟️ 50/50 Tickets = the gift that could win big!
You can now purchase 50/50 tickets as gifts, giving everyone on your list a chance to win while supporting our community at the same time. Enter today using the link in our bio.
🍴 For the foodie:
Looking for something deliciously different? Check out the John Howard Society`s Holiday Cookbook, packed with tasty recipes to try out this winter. Email cburkholder@jhsptbo.com to get your copy.
❤️ Not sure what to choose?
Make a donation in a loved one’s name and spread the joy even further. United Way Peterborough & District supports 20 local partner agencies, so your gift makes an impact across Peterborough and County.
What are your go-to holiday gift ideas? Comment below! 👇🎁
❤️We ended @unitedwayptbo Spirit Week on a cozy note with our second annual #PJDayForUnitedWay
Big smiles, big heart - and one team member (👋hi, Joy!) reminding us that participation was not in the fine print of her contract. And yet, she shows up anyways!
👏Now that’s team spirit!
❤️It’s Thank You Thursday!❤️
Thank you to the whole team at J & M Automotive who welcomed us into their shop to present a generous gift to @unitedwayptbo
We also want to thank @darcybonner2829 Campaign Cabinet member, for helping build these strong community connections.
We’re so grateful for local businesses who step up for our community! Remember that every dollar raised here, stays here supporting our 20 outstanding partner agencies.
❄️Even with the snow coming down outside, our spirit week continues strong with Statement Sock Day!
🧦Bold statements, adorable animals, throwback characters - the team brought it all.
❤️Proud of this team for finding joy, colour and community no matter the weather!
Consider this your official invitation to United Way`s PJ Day! 🎉🛏️
Feeling the winter chill? Warm up with us this Friday, December 12th and get cozy in support of United Way Peterborough & District’s annual campaign.
To participate, simply donate $5 and enjoy rocking your fuzziest slippers, comfiest PJs, or favourite track pants all day long. You can event invite your coworkers and make it a workplace PJ party!
When you donate to the United Way, every dollar you give supports 20 local partner agencies doing vital work right here in Peterborough & County.
Ready to get cozy for a cause?
👉 Visit the link in our bio to take part!
