Housing Program

We believe that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable home.

At One City, housing is a core part of our work and one of the most meaningful ways we respond to homelessness and housing instability in our community. Housing is more than four walls and a place to stay; it creates opportunities for safety, belonging, health, autonomy, and purpose. Our housing continuum is designed to respond to changing needs, creating opportunities for people to move between different housing options while remaining connected to the supports and relationships that help them to thrive.

We also recognize the complexity and responsibility that comes with owning and developing property on the unceded, traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg. As a property owner, we have a responsibility to consider what reconciliation means in practice; through our relationships and partnerships, our decisions about land development, and the ways we grow affordable housing in this community.

Our Approach to Housing

Purchasing & Developing Affordable Housing

We believe that increasing affordable housing is one of the most effective long-term responses to homelessness. Rather than relying solely on existing rental housing, we actively purchase and develop homes that remain affordable for years to come.

Housing has increasingly become a financial asset rather than a basic human need. By purchasing and stewarding affordable housing, we remove it from the market and help to preserve affordable homes for long-term community benefit.

We acquire properties through a combination of community fundraising, generous donor support, grants, municipal incentive programs, and strategic partnerships. Whenever possible, we work toward purchasing properties mortgage-free, allowing rental income to be reinvested into maintaining homes, supporting residents, and creating future affordable housing opportunities.

Owning housing allows us to preserve affordability, respond quickly to maintenance and repairs, and ensure these homes continue serving the community for years to come.

Read our Nonprofit Housing Acquisition Guide

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Congregate Living

Most of our homes use a congregate model, where residents have private bedrooms while sharing common spaces.

This approach creates opportunities for connection and community, while allowing supports to be provided in a home environment. Shared housing also helps make the best use of limited affordable housing, while helping more people access a stable and supported home environment.

We recognize that congregate living isn’t the right fit for everyone, which is why we continue expanding a range of housing options, including more private and self-contained homes.

Partnerships that Grow Housing

Housing is a community effort, and responding to homelessness requires collaboration.

Some partnerships focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing. Others combine One City’s housing with specialized supports delivered by healthcare providers, addictions services, and other community organizations. We also work alongside municipalities, funders, private landlords, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen housing opportunities across Peterborough.

These partnerships allow organizations to contribute their unique strengths while creating more coordinated pathways to housing, healthcare, recovery, and long-term stability.

Interested in partnering with One City?

We’re always interested in conversations with property owners, builders, healthcare providers, community organizations, funders, and others who share our commitment to expanding affordable housing and strengthening support services in our community.

Whether you have a property you are considering selling, specialized expertise, a funding opportunity, or an idea you’d like to explore, we’d love to hear from you.

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Additional Rental Units (ARUs)

Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are self-contained homes built on existing One City properties. They create new affordable housing while making efficient use of land already owned by the organization.

ARUs are currently One City’s only single-occupancy housing option and are an important part of our housing continuum. They provide opportunities for residents whose needs have changed to transition into a more independent living environment, while creating space for new residents to access congregate supportive housing.

We continue working with community partners to expand this model as a practical and cost-effective way to increase affordable housing in Peterborough.

Stabilization Supports

Housing is more than providing a place to live. For people exiting homelessness, maintaining housing often requires individualized supports that respond to changing needs over time. Our housing team works alongside residents to build long-term stability through relationships and practical support.

This may include tenancy support, goal setting, healthcare connections, eviction prevention, conflict resolution, life skills, community building, and navigating community resources. We recognize that housing stability looks different for everyone, and our supports evolve alongside each resident’s goals, strengths, and changing circumstances.

Tenant Matching

Creating a successful home involves so much more than filling a vacancy. We intentionally consider compatibility, accessibility needs, support requirements, and shared living preferences when matching residents.

Whenever possible, current residents are involved in welcoming new housemates and helping build healthy, respectful home communities. Rather than simply filling the next available room, we focus on creating conditions for long-term success. By investing time in finding the right fit, we’re able to foster stronger relationships, healthier home environments, and lasting tenancies.

Reintegration Housing

Older adults leaving federal correctional facilities often face complex barriers to successful reintegration, particularly when they are living with mobility limitations, chronic illness, or other significant health concerns. Individuals are referred to this program prior to their release date. Our team works closely with Probation, Parole, and institutional staff to ensure the program is an appropriate fit, and to increase residents’ chances of success.

One City’s Community Residential Facility, Haley House, provides specialized care for men transitioning from federal incarceration who require enhanced health, mobility, or daily living supports. Through 24-hour staffing, personal support workers, nursing care, case management, and strong partnerships with healthcare providers and Correctional Service Canada, we support residents in building stability, maintaining their health, and successfully reintegrating into the community with dignity and safety. We also advocate for compassionate transfer of incarcerated individuals approaching end of life to a more appropriate palliative care setting.

Our Journey: Growing Affordable Housing in Peterborough

One City’s housing work began with a commitment to creating affordable housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. For nearly a decade, One City has been creating affordable and innovative housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Today, our housing continuum includes emergency relief, supportive housing, reintegration housing, congregate living spaces, ARUs, and individualized supports.

As community needs evolve, so does our work. We continue to invest in affordable housing development, strengthen partnerships across Peterborough, and imagine new possibilities for what housing can look like in our community.

2019

In 2019, One City Peterborough emerged, formerly Peterborough Reintegration Services. Through two homes purchased many years prior, and the addition of a housing support program, housing became a core part of our work.

2020

As of 2020, we made an internal commitment to continue purchasing 1 house per year, as long as it is financially possible. We continued developing our supports and our housing management practices.

2024

We partnered with Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to build our first Additional Residential Unit (ARU) in the backyard of one of the homes we own. This was our first self-contained unit

TODAY

We currently own 8 houses, have completed 3 ARUs, partner with private landlords to offer units in another 3 homes, and work with 2 nonprofits to expand our reach. We offer a total of 48 One City owned units for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and several more that are managed by One City as agent of the homeowner.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Increasing permanent, affordable housing stock
Expanding ARUs
Increasing accessibility
Expanding partnerships
Creating more opportunities for residents to age in place

Housing Impact Report

Read our latest Housing Impact Report!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for One City’s housing programs?

One City’s housing programs support people exiting homelessness or incarceration, and use a variety of referral pathways depending on the program. Some housing units are filled through Coordinated Access and referrals from community partners, while others may accept referrals directly from One City programs or other agencies. Our reintegration home supports men transitioning from prison, who are aging or living with mobility challenges.

How do I apply for housing?

If you are looking for housing, we encourage you to connect with your current support worker or local housing resources, including Social Services or the Housing Resource Centre, who can help identify the housing options that best match your needs and circumstances.

Does One City have a housing waitlist?

One City housing opportunities are not filled through a traditional public waitlist. Vacancies are filled through referral processes that consider the needs of current residents, housing goals, compatibility within shared homes, and the supports available to help someone succeed in housing.

We encourage people experiencing homelessness to connect with a Coordinated Access agency and local housing resources to ensure they are considered for appropriate opportunities as they become available.

What kind of housing does One City offer?

One City offers a range of housing options designed to respond to different needs and stages of people’s housing journey.

Our housing continuum includes:

Congregate supportive housing, where residents have private bedrooms and share common living spaces while receiving individualized supports
Reintegration housing, supporting people transitioning from incarceration back into the community
Additional Residential Units (ARUs), which provide self-contained living spaces for residents who are ready to live more independently
Affordable housing, developed and stewarded by One City to increase housing opportunities in our community.

How long can someone stay in One City housing?

One City’s supportive housing program is designed to provide permanent housing, not short-term or emergency accommodation. Residents enter into a four-year occupancy agreement, with the opportunity to transition to a lease agreement after one year.

While transitional housing plays an important role within the broader housing continuum, many people exiting homelessness face significant barriers to finding long-term affordable housing due to shortages in affordable housing stock.

In those cases where we own the home and other agencies provide support, time limits may look different.

Get Involved

Volunteer with Housing

Volunteers support housing through gardening, painting, preparing units for move-in, landscaping, housing builds, and other special projects.

VOLUNTEER

Partner with Us

We welcome conversations with homeowners, landlords, developers, community organizations, funders, and others who are interested in creating more affordable housing opportunities or strengthening support services.

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Support Affordable Housing

Financial donations help us purchase and maintain affordable housing, prepare homes for new residents, respond to emerging needs, and continue expanding housing opportunities in our community

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