City Want to Demolish Affordable Housing

HELP SAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PETERBOROUGH!

Peterborough City Council wants to demolish the building at 1130 Water Street - the house that homeless people and anti-poverty activists took over this past summer to protest that lack of affordable housing in the City. We need your help to save affordable housing in Peterborough.

This report includes:

i) Update / Report on 1130 Water Street
ii) Why 1130 Water Street should be Saved
iii) What you can do to help save affordable housing in Peterborough.

i) UPDATE ON 1130 WATER STREET SQUAT: CITY WANTS TO DEMOLISH SQUATTED BUILDING

(Peterborough, ON) -- On Monday, Oct 27, 2003, the Peterborough City Council will vote on a recommendation to bull-doze the house at 1130 Water Street. This past summer, members of the Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty (PCAP) and homeless people in the community took over this building to protest the lack of affordable housing in Peterborough. After two and a half weeks, squatters were removed from the building by police and the house has sat empty since. Prior to the squat, the building had been used for affordable housing, but then was closed due to mould contamination.

The city recently commissioned a report, which states that the costs to remove the mould and restore the house to a basic living standard is $6900. The cost to demolish the building is $7000. However, now the city is now saying that additional repairs (including replacing the roof) should be completed, raising the total cost to $22,000.

PCAP points out, however, that even if the full repairs were completed, the costs would equal $366 a month over five years - which is a reasonable monthly rent. PCAP also suggests that the City allow community groups get involved to fund-raise, provide materials and labour - which would also reduce costs.

However, the city argues that because the long-term city plan stipulates that the land along the river should be converted to green space, the building is slated to be demolished in 5 years.

PCAP believes that this building should not be demolished and that it is financially feasible to complete repairs so that 1130 Water Street. Moreover, it will be many years before the City is able convert the property at 1130 Water Street into green space. There are two privately owned homes on either side of the property as well as a number of City-owned homes that are currently used for affordable housing. If the city goes ahead with the greenspace plan, it will mean a greater loss in affordable housing.

PCAP believes that the city should make affordable housing a priority over greenspace in this area. Since at least two of the original 1130 Water Street squatters are still without housing, this building could provide the shelter that they require.

PCAP is asking the community to urge the City to save 1130 Water Street. For ways to help in this campaign please see below.

For more information, contact PCAP: (705) 741-5068 pcap@riseup.net

ii) REASONS WHY THE BUILDING SHOULD NOT BE DEMOLISHED:

1. The cost to repair 1130 Water Street is a small price to pay for affordable housing.

The cost to implement the minimum repairs ($6900) is less than the cost to demolish the building.

The "bare minimum" costs of repair are $6900. If the house were rented for 5 years, those costs would amount to $1380 a year, or $115/month, which could be covered by rent. If the full $22,000 in repairs were completed, the monthly costs (over 5 years) would equal $366.

2. It is more cost effective to invest in existing affordable housing than to build new units or pay for emergency shelter. Even if the difference between the repair costs and the demolishing costs ($15, 000) is invested in an affordable housing fund, this is not sufficient to build a replacement unit. If the City is going to demolish affordable housing - it should be replaced!

3. A city partnership with local groups and community members would help share the costs and encompass a more grassroots approach to affordable housing.

The Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty and other groups have expressed interest in repairing the building at 1130 Water Street so that it can be maintained as affordable housing. The City should give these groups the opportunity to develop proposals regarding 1130 Water Street before it decides to demolish the building.

4. The urgency for affordable housing should take priority over creating green space.

Before the squat took place on June 15, city planners stated that it could take 50 years before the buildings along the Otonabee were demolished and green space created. Now the City claims that the house at 1130 will be demolished in 5 years. Unless planning to make a very small green space in the lot at 1130 Water Street, the City will also have to demolish the buildings in the adjacent lots - which means a loss of more affordable housing (since many of the buildings along Water Street are currently used for affordable housing). Moreover, there are two privately owned homes on either side of 1130 Water - and it is unlikely that the city will be able to purchase those buildings immediately. If the City follows through on this plan, the City will face the:

Loss of numerous units of affordable housing

Costs to demolish 1130 Water Street

Costs to demolish or move adjacent units of affordable housing

Costs to purchase private houses on either side (minimum property value of each: $100, 000)

If the city has the funds to purchase these properties for green space, it has the funds for affordable housing. Housing should be its priority until the problem of homelessness is alleviated. Given the length of time it will take to create total green space along the river, it seems reasonable that housing should be given priority until such time that the problem of homelessness is remedied.

iii) WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. E-mail or Phone councillors to say DON'T DEMOLISH 1130 WATER ST. (e-mails below)

2. Attend the council meeting on Monday Oct 27th to show your support.

3. Develop alternative proposals to demolishing the building (ie. join other groups in fund-raising, offering labour, materials, etc).

4. Pledge money to help renovate the building if the city decides not to demolish it.

COUNCILLORS E-MAILS and PHONE #:

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

Jeff Leal 742-1361
henry clarke 749-3149
margeree edwards 745-5864
glen paggett 742-4595
sylvia sutherland 743-3299
jack doris 745-5939
bill juby 745-4156
doug peacock 741-5435
paul ayotte 742-9835
bob hall 749-0867
john pritchard 741-2313

FOR MORE INFO: (705) 749-9694 pcap@riseup.net