PETERBOROUGH, ON (February 2, 2023) – Today in the training centre of the John Howard Society on Stewart Street, United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell announced the current round of funding to address critical needs in our community related to homelessness. The United Way is the Community Entity for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
A total investment of $1,798,667 was distributed to 8 community partners. This funding has been provided in addition to the ongoing, multi-year Reaching Home partnerships that the United Way holds with YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Fourcast, and the Elizabeth Fry Society.
“Our current shelter system is strained to meet the needs of all those community members experiencing homelessness. It is imperative that any investment is strategic, encourages partnerships, and puts the needs of those individuals, our neighbours, at the forefront of service and intervention” states Russell.
Joining Russell at today’s announcement were representatives from the following organizations:
- Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
- Community Counselling and Resource Centre
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
- One City Peterborough
- Fourcast
- John Howard Society of Peterborough
- Research for Social Change Lab – Trent University
- Peterborough Housing Corporation
The coalition of partners is dedicated to ending homelessness in Peterborough and will be administering programs encompassing outreach, supportive housing, purchasing housing stock, partnering with private sector landlords, transitional housing, research, winter warming room. Please see the attached summary for program descriptions and funding amounts.
Kathy Neill, Executive Director of the John Howard Society, who hosted the media event noted, “I am excited by the energy in this community and desire to work together as partners with the goal of ending homelessness.”
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to supporting our most vulnerable, especially those in the Peterborough area who are experiencing or are at risk of being homeless. We will continue to do our part to help those who need it most and ensure no one is left behind,” shared Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
This funding will run through until March 31st, 2024 noted Russell. “We all have a stake morally, economically and in particular as a human rights issue to end homelessness.”
For further information, please contact: Jim Russell
CEO, United Way Peterborough
E: jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca
T: 705-742-8839
