by Sarah Lamble, PCAP Organizer
Dear Supporter of Affordable Housing
The Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty (PCAP) is writing to ask for your support in encouraging the City of Peterborough to repair the empty building at 1130 Water Street so that it can be used for affordable housing.
As you may be aware, this summer PCAP took over the building at 1130 Water Street in an effort to convince the city that the property should be used for affordable housing. The building had been used for affordable housing in the past, but was closed due to mould contamination in the basement.
The City recently released a report outlining that the mould in the house is not toxic and can be removed at a cost of $3000-$4000. The City is currently looking into costs for full repairs to the house and will likely release these results at the Council Meeting on Monday, September 15, 2003.
City housing chairman Henry Clarke has stated that the house at 1130 Water Street could be demolished in 5 years to create green space along the river. Realistically, however, as other city officials have suggested, it could be decades before this happens. Regardless of the building's long-term future, even 5 years of affordable housing is a worthwhile investment for those individuals currently on the affordable housing waiting list.
PCAP will be attending City Council this month to encourage the city to complete the repairs so 1130 Water Street can be returned to the affordable housing pool. PCAP feels that the estimated $3000 - $4000 to remove the mould is a very small price to pay for another unit of affordable housing in Peterborough.
Given that the city commissioned $5000 for the mould report, but only used $500, the remaining $4500 could be used towards repairs.
WE NEED YOUR HELP. If enough members of the community demonstrate their support, we could convince the city to create one more building of affordable housing.
We are asking that you, as an individual or a group, endorse the attached statement or write your own statement supporting the conversion of 1130 Water Street into affordable housing.
STATEMENT SUPPORTING 1130 WATER STREET FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WHEREAS, the lack of affordable housing in Peterborough has reached a crisis state and current strategies to address the problem are inadequate;
WHEREAS, every single building that can be converted to affordable housing is one step closer to eliminating homelessness in Peterborough;
WHEREAS, it is practically and financially feasible to repair the building at 1130 Water Street for use as affordable housing;
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, urge the City of Peterborough to make the repairs necessary to restore 1130 Water Street for use as affordable housing.
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: ________________________________
Please send all endorsements to PCAP, either by e-mail: pcap@riseup.net or to the PCAP office at 393 Water Street, Unit 17 Peterborough, K9H 3L7.
Thank you for your efforts toward the creation of more affordable housing in Peterborough. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please call the PCAP office.
On behalf of PCAP,
-Sarah Lamble, PCAP organizer
About Us
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- PCAP is a direct action anti-poverty group made up of poor people and their allies. We believe in the power of people to organize themselves. PCAP mounts social justice campaigns against regressive government policies that affect poor, homeless and working communities. We also provide free advocacy for individuals and families. Please note there is a change of office hours and location. We are hosting outreach meetings within Peterborough County. FIGHT to Win! Email: pcap@riseup.net;