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. “Under international law everyone has the right to adequate housing.”
United Nations rapporteur statement
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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?
Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is an innovative project offering a low-cost, community solution to a high-profile community problem.
It offers a housing alternative that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, while meeting the common need for autonomy and privacy., within a safe and secure environment.
PATH is following a model that has been proven to work with the Community First model in Austin Texas. Our plans have been influenced by the work in other communities, such as A Better Tent City (ABTC), Kitchener – Father Toby Collins and Jeff Wilmer
Our Livable Solutions, Kingston – Chrystal Wilson,
12 Neighbours, Fredericton, NB, as well as many others in Canada.
It offers a housing alternative that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable