Haliburton County residents and others can help address homelessness and the county’s pressing affordable housing situation by attending an upcoming benefit concert in Haliburton.
Charlie Angus and The Grievous Angels will be performing a fundraising concert for Haliburton County’s Places for People at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 31 at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Logging Museum, which is located at 1095 Redkenn Rd. in Haliburton.
Band frontman Angus is described as an outspoken advocate for affordable housing — especially in rural communities like Haliburton — and he’s also the NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, who is leaving politics to focus on his music.
Meanwhile, Places for People creates and manages quality affordable rental housing in Haliburton County, aiming “to foster an environment” in which its tenants can thrive.
By bringing the alt-folk country band and its housing advocate frontman to Haliburton, organizers are striving to raise money for Places for People and highlight the work the group does locally to provide homes for those in need, Sean Pennylegion, event organizer, told kawarthaNOW.
“The best things that could happen as a result of this gig is that more people will become aware of the work of Places for People,” Pennylegion said. “Two, we will raise some much-needed funding for them and, three, everyone will have a terrific, end-of-summer, night out with outstanding entertainment in a very funky venue.”
“We’re also looking forward to a really spirited, enjoyable concert by a very, very good band.”
Also on the agenda for the night is a toonie auction, with various items up for grabs including a Haliburton Forest gift certificate, tickets for a “Telling our Stories Speaker Series” event, and tickets for a Haliburton County Folk Society concert.
Pennylegion hopes people consider attending the concert and supporting Places for People, which is “doing all they can to address the needs of those in our community who are at risk of homelessness.” Money raised will help fund the organization’s continued efforts.
Places for People provides affordable housing in Haliburton County through 20 residential units and has provided homes for more than 100 people in the community since 2010, a media release noted.
In 2023, through a community bond raise, the community invested $850,000, which allowed Places for People to consolidate mortgages and obtain two new dwellings with 13 units. The group’s goal is to build new affordable units to address the ongoing need in the county.
Tenants in Haliburton County spend nearly 50 per cent of their income on housing, a recent study found.
“People working full time earning minimum wage can barely survive in this community and finding affordable housing is the main reason,” the release noted. “This impacts everyone from employers to tourists and local residents.”
The upcoming event is presented by the Haliburton County Community Co-operative’s “Telling our Stories Speaker Series” and the Haliburton County Folk Society.
Tickets for the August 31 benefit concert are $40 and are available online at haliburtonfolk.com.
Organizers are also asking community members to consider making a donation to Places for People by emailing info@placesforpeople.ca or by visiting the group’s website at placesforpeople.ca.
