Critical Moment for 1130 Water St.
We Need Your Support Today!!
Please e-mail endorsements/support to City Council (details below).
UPDATE:
On Monday night, the squatters (who have been occupying an empty city building since June 15th), along wiht PCAP, made an incredibly well-received presentation to the Peterborough City Council (see below for details about the proposal that was presented). Although the City originally asked the squatters to leave the building on Tuesday until the safety risks of the mold in the house could be determined, the squatters now seem to have a few more days in the house while we wait for the City's response to the presentation. The City has agreed to spend $5000 on a study to investigate the mold as well as the cost to remove it. One councillor is even quoted as saying that the squatters/PCAP "may have come up with a model that works extremely well for a lot of people."
The council meeting was attended by many supporters as well as a national rep from the CAW and the president of the Peterborough & District Labour Council - both of whom are exploring tangible ways to support and work in partnership with the the squatters and the City. The squatters are also investigating the inclusion of another local organization to oversee some hands-off responsibility for what will be a self-managed home. As the city councillor's consider the squatters' proposal regarding the future of 1130 Water St. the next few days are a critical time for the squat.
The squatters are confident that they will be able to reach an agreement with the City which will be agreeable and beneficial to everyone involved. We also know that support from the local community and beyond is crucial for the City to endorse the squat proposal.
Now, more than ever, we need a demonstration of support from individuals and organizations in the Peterborough community. Let the City know that you / your organization endorse this innovative and creative project where diverse partners will join together to provide affordable housing for homeless members of this community.
Send your letters of support and endorsement to these Councillors and City Officials:
Please copy all e-mails to: slamble@pipcom.com
GPagett@city.peterborough.on.ca
mayor@city.peterborough.on.ca
BHall@city.peterborough.on.ca
JoPritchard@city.peterborough.on.ca
DPeacock@city.peterborough.on.ca
PAyotte@city.peterborough.on.ca
medwards@nexicom.net
BJuby@city.peterborough.on.ca
JDoris@city.peterborough.on.ca
HClarke@city.peterborough.on.ca
JLeal@city.peterborough.on.ca
mhunt@city.peterborough.on.ca
clyon@city.peterborough.on.ca
Squatters' Proposal to City Council:
In order to come to a mutual agreement regarding the future use of 1130 Water Street which will both address City concerns and create affordable housing, PCAP has developed a proposal for Council to consider. Although we began last Sunday with 5 demands to the City, in the spirit of cooperation and compromise we have significantly changed our proposal so as to accommodate the city's concerns. Based on discussions of the City's Draft 'Letter of Understanding' dated June 18, 2003, PCAP proposes the following:
a) PCAP agrees to take full responsibility for the improvements necessary to ensure a safe standard of occupancy (as agreed by the occupants and the City) at 1130 Water Street;
b) The City will authorize a 5-year loan of 1130 Water Street to PCAP or an entity on behalf of PCAP to be self-managed by its occupants; Given that PCAP will bear the costs of repairs on a building that the City intended to keep empty, we feel it is not unreasonable for rental payments to be waived;
c) The occupants at 1130 Water Street agree to pay all utility costs during the 5 years;
d) The occupants will be granted access to the property unless the building is proven to be hazardous, at which point, the occupants must be provided with alternative housing as agreeable to them. If such housing is not found the occupants must be allowed to remain on the property outside the building;
e) The City will increase the funding and supports available to assist residents of Peterborough whose hydro has been or will be cut off because they can not afford to pay the bill;
(NOTE: For a full-copy of the 5 page presentation, please contact slamble@pipcom.com and we will forward you a copy).
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Support the Squat at 1130 Water Street Building.
PCAP has occupied an empty city-owned building!!!
1. FILM NIGHT: Sunday June 22 @ 8 p.m.
Community event at the squat, 1130 Water St. , Peterborough
Film (TBA), Discussion, and Free Food
2. CITY COUNCIL MTG Monday June 23 @ 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting at city hall, 500 George St. N.
Squatters will present their case to the Council
Pack the Meeting! Support the Squat!
Demand Affordable Housing NOW!
Squat Update #2:
PCAP Squat enters fourth night amidst negotiations with city
(Peterborough , ON ) -- As of Wednesday June 18, 2003 the Squat at 1130 Water Street is still going strong. A dozen squatters have been staying on the property (both inside the house and in tents on the back lawn) accompanied by numerous daily visitors.
The squatters have been busy working to improve the property -- cutting the lawn, planning a flower garden, installing fire detectors and looking into building repairs. A communal cooking, composting and cleaning schedule has been devised and daily tasks are shared cooperatively.
The community response has been very positive -- the neighbours are friendly and some have donated furniture and household supplies to the squat. One neighbour even called the city to demonstrate her support.
On Monday, two city planners visited the squat and indicated that they would like to resolve the matter through discussion with the squatters. The city officials assured the squatters that the police would not be called unless there were complaints from the neighbours or evidence of illegal activity.
This afternoon, squatters met again with the city planners to negotiate the building's future.
City planners expressed their concerns about mould in the basement which could be toxic -- citing this as the reason why the previous tenant was relocated to another building. However, after reading the health inspector’s report, squatters discovered that the type of mould in the building is not necessarily hazardous -- of a possible 185 varieties, only 20 types are considered toxic. The inspector advised a second report be conducted after a proper cleaning of the basement. Up until now the City has not followed up with this recommendation.
Upon the squatters' request, the City has now promised to finance a second pre-cleaning inspection to confirm the status of the mould (by an accredited inspector of the squatters' choice). The City has also offered a contractor's estimate for repairs. If the building is officially turned over to the squatters for self-managed housing, they are willing to take care of the repairs themselves.
Though previously used for affordable housing, the building has been vacant for at least 7 months since a flood damaged the basement. City planners did not repair the house because it is located on a stretch of riverside land that is slated to be converted into green space. The City intends to purchase all the houses along the river with the intent of relocating or demolishing the buildings in the vicinity.
Community members took over the empty building on Sunday evening as part of the Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty's "Give it or Guard it" Housing Campaign and Squatting tour. The summer-long campaign tours unused buildings in the city that could be used for squatting or affordable housing.
On Monday June 23, the squatters will take their case to city council. They will rally outside city hall at 7pm and then present the following demands to council:
1) Turn over the house at 1130 Water St. to the squatters to be self-managed as cooperative housing;
2) Create a City-financed support fund to assist residents of Peterborough whose hydro has been or will be cut off because they can not afford to pay the bill;
3) Undertake a city-wide inspection and repair blitz: Inspect and order repairs on all unsafe and substandard housing in the City;
4) Grant legal amnesty to all squatters at 1130 Water St.
1. FILM NIGHT: Sunday June 22 @ 8 p.m.
Community event at the squat, 1130 Water St. , Peterborough
Film (TBA), Discussion, and Free Food
2. CITY COUNCIL MTG Monday June 23 @ 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting at city hall, 500 George St. N.
Squatters will present their case to the Council
Pack the Meeting! Support the Squat!
Demand Affordable Housing NOW!
Squat Update #2:
PCAP Squat enters fourth night amidst negotiations with city
(Peterborough , ON ) -- As of Wednesday June 18, 2003 the Squat at 1130 Water Street is still going strong. A dozen squatters have been staying on the property (both inside the house and in tents on the back lawn) accompanied by numerous daily visitors.
The squatters have been busy working to improve the property -- cutting the lawn, planning a flower garden, installing fire detectors and looking into building repairs. A communal cooking, composting and cleaning schedule has been devised and daily tasks are shared cooperatively.
The community response has been very positive -- the neighbours are friendly and some have donated furniture and household supplies to the squat. One neighbour even called the city to demonstrate her support.
On Monday, two city planners visited the squat and indicated that they would like to resolve the matter through discussion with the squatters. The city officials assured the squatters that the police would not be called unless there were complaints from the neighbours or evidence of illegal activity.
This afternoon, squatters met again with the city planners to negotiate the building's future.
City planners expressed their concerns about mould in the basement which could be toxic -- citing this as the reason why the previous tenant was relocated to another building. However, after reading the health inspector’s report, squatters discovered that the type of mould in the building is not necessarily hazardous -- of a possible 185 varieties, only 20 types are considered toxic. The inspector advised a second report be conducted after a proper cleaning of the basement. Up until now the City has not followed up with this recommendation.
Upon the squatters' request, the City has now promised to finance a second pre-cleaning inspection to confirm the status of the mould (by an accredited inspector of the squatters' choice). The City has also offered a contractor's estimate for repairs. If the building is officially turned over to the squatters for self-managed housing, they are willing to take care of the repairs themselves.
Though previously used for affordable housing, the building has been vacant for at least 7 months since a flood damaged the basement. City planners did not repair the house because it is located on a stretch of riverside land that is slated to be converted into green space. The City intends to purchase all the houses along the river with the intent of relocating or demolishing the buildings in the vicinity.
Community members took over the empty building on Sunday evening as part of the Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty's "Give it or Guard it" Housing Campaign and Squatting tour. The summer-long campaign tours unused buildings in the city that could be used for squatting or affordable housing.
On Monday June 23, the squatters will take their case to city council. They will rally outside city hall at 7pm and then present the following demands to council:
1) Turn over the house at 1130 Water St. to the squatters to be self-managed as cooperative housing;
2) Create a City-financed support fund to assist residents of Peterborough whose hydro has been or will be cut off because they can not afford to pay the bill;
3) Undertake a city-wide inspection and repair blitz: Inspect and order repairs on all unsafe and substandard housing in the City;
4) Grant legal amnesty to all squatters at 1130 Water St.
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