Mayor Jeff Leal has announced a report from the Mayor’s Task Force for Housing Creation, featuring 15 recommendations aimed at tackling the city’s housing shortage.
The task force, formed in January, includes prominent local leaders such as Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, Chelsea Combot from Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, Brian Fenton of Peterborough Homes, Hans Jain of Atria Development, Hope Lee, former CEO of Peterborough Housing Corporation, Rebecca Schillemat of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Home Builders Association, Brad Smith of AON Inc., and Susan Zambonin of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.
The report’s recommendations target faster project approvals, reduced construction costs, and stronger partnerships with Indigenous, non-profit, and private sectors to meet Peterborough’s goal of 4,700 new housing units by 2031. Key proposals include a one-year approval timeline for non-profit and multi-unit housing, adjustments to municipal standards to lower costs, and calls for greater provincial and federal support.
City Council will review the recommendations at the December 2nd General Committee meeting.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)