Following a recent night of music, art and philanthropy, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) is launching a project slated to bring 41 more affordable housing units to Peterborough.
On June 1, Habitat PKR held its first-ever garden party, “HomeGrown: A Habitat Garden Party Fundraiser,” at Peterborough’s Northview Gardens.
Garden party guests enjoyed fiddle music of Irish Millie and an aerial performance by Nicole Maulbeuf of Trellis Entertainment. Some attendees took home ceramic centrepieces, created by more than 15 volunteers from the Kawartha Potters Guild, which raised more than $1,000.
“Filled with community spirit, entertainment, and remarkable generosity” according to a media release, the HomeGrown fundraiser also served as the kick-off to Habitat PKR’s new planned development: a multi-unit condominium to be located on Lansdowne Street West.
“Modelled after the award-winning Leahy’s Lane project, this (initiative) will be a life-changing hand-up to over 40 families in the Peterborough community,” Habitat PKR said.
The first phase of the Leahy’s Lane project, a 41-unit affordable condo development at 33 Leahy’s Lane near Parkhill Road East and Armour Road, was completed in April 2022, and the second phase, a 12-unit affordable condo development at 21 Leahy’s Lane, is approaching completion.
The proposed Lansdowne Street West condominium development will be located just east of the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Habitat PKR is currently involved in the rezoning process for the Lansdowne project, and is excited about the next steps, Jenn MacDonald, Habitat PKR’s communications and donor services manager, told kawarthaNOW.
“Following the success of the phase one and two developments on Leahy’s Lane, (Habitat PKR) is looking forward to helping more local families and individuals into much-needed safe and affordable housing,” MacDonald said.
“With a low vacancy rate and lack of affordable housing in the city of Peterborough, this new development will provide a hand-up to another 41 homeowner families, giving them the stability they need to invest in their futures.”
Attendees at the HomeGrown fundraiser, which in total raised more than $21,500 for affordable home building projects, heard the story of a local Habitat homeowner family who shared how affordable homeownership enabled them to achieve strength and stability.
“Habitat PKR extends heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, donors, and attendees who made HomeGrown an unforgettable evening,” the release noted. “Your support is invaluable in helping to build a better future where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.”
Habitat PKR is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting affordable homeownership. Since 2002, Habitat PKR has helped 83 local families achieve affordable homeownership.
