The United Way of Peterborough and District has released its annual Housing Is Fundamental report, with author Paul Armstrong noting the continued impacts of income inequality on housing affordability – a situation made worse by the pandemic and increased demand for housing.
Key findings reveal Peterborough’s vacancy rate is the lowest in Ontario at one percent, the average rent for a two-bedroom unit is $1,316, up 10.5 percent from 2020, and there has been no growth in rental housing supply but demand has risen 1.5 percent.
United Way Manager of Community Impact Betsy Farrar says people’s inability to find and secure affordable housing affects them adversely in a number of ways, including their health.
Farrar adds that comprehensive reports like this are important because they provide a snapshot of the broad picture. That, she says, is key in working toward solutions.
United Way-commissioned reports such as this, assures Farrar, don’t sit on a bookshelf collecting dust.
Copies of the 17th annual Housing Is Fundamental report are available at the United Way office at Stewart and King streets.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
