Our Mission

The Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) mission is to provide homes to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Residents have the opportunity to share their gifts in this intentional and relational model , supported by those in the wider community, working together to welcome, nurture, heal and serve.

Those currently homeless and their allies form a tiny homes community (or communities).

PATH is 100% privately funded, and welcomes sponsors and social enterprise partnerships, undertakes fundraising, reviews applications and ensures the smooth running of the independent, economically-viable community through use of volunteers and staff.

How You Can Help Build a ‘Community First Outlook’

Housing is a Human Right

It is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in many international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

It is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in many international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. “Under international law everyone has the right to adequate housing.”

 

United Nations rapporteur statement

What has contributed to this crisis and what is the outlook?

The financialization of rental housing has drastically affected affordability for low-income earners. Additionally, the gradual disappearance over the past few decades of single-room occupancy units has led to fewer choices. Affordable spaces in boarding and rooming houses and hotels, often occupied by marginalized, low-income singles, are no longer available to them.

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario questions the ability of federal or provincial programs to bring relief to low-income households and the homeless (Housing is Fundamental 2021)

The Financial Accountability Office projects that the total number of households in “core housing need” will increase to 815,500 in 2027, an increase of 80,500 from 2018.

What are the City and County of Peterborough doing to address homelessness?

The City and County have outlined their direction in Peterborough’s “Built for Zero” report, which aims to end chronic homelessness by 2025.

Can it be done?

“This can only be done with a collaborative, community-wide approach”. (United Way 2021) Commissioner of Community Services, Sheldon Laidman’s report #CSSS22-004, May 9, 2022, strongly recommends more proactive and preventative actions that develop an all-community response.

Many social agencies, organizations, faith groups and friends and allies of people experiencing homelessness are working daily to help but there need to be more options.

How does PATH fit into the City / County’s plan?

What is presently available?

• 50 sleeping cabins: transitional housing at the municipal Bridge project
• 45 overnight drop-in accommodations (winter only) at Trinity Community Centre
• 82 Emergency shelter beds throughout the city
• The gap is at least 100. The housing crisis continues.