Councillors in Peterborough has directed staff to explore alternative locations for additional winter shelter capacity as the city continues to face growing pressure on its homelessness system.
Councillors voted on Monday to refer a staff report back for further review, asking staff to return in August with options for potential winter shelter sites instead of proceeding with a proposal centered on the former fire station on Carnegie Avenue.
The report outlined plans for a temporary seasonal shelter program aimed at supporting individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness during the winter months, when health and safety risks increase significantly.
City officials say the current homelessness system includes 127 beds across four emergency shelters and an overnight drop-in program, but demand has consistently exceeded available space.
According to the report, at least 932 individuals experienced homelessness in 2025, including people living unsheltered, staying in shelters or couch surfing while connected to local services. That represents a 16 per cent increase from 2024.
During the 2025-26 winter season, the city implemented an unplanned temperature-based emergency shelter response to add temporary beds during periods of extreme cold. Staff say the approach demonstrated strong community responsiveness but created operational and staffing challenges and did not consistently provide shelter during all dangerous weather conditions.
Officials are now recommending a planned seasonal winter shelter model as a more stable approach.
Two operating models were proposed, each offering at least 30 overnight beds operating for 11 hours daily.
The first option would run from January through March with startup costs of $20,000 and an annual operating budget of approximately $303,050.
The second option would operate from November through April with the same startup costs but an estimated annual budget of $576,600.
Staff say both options carry different implications related to staffing, costs and service reliability.
Council is expected to revisit the issue later this summer after staff identify and assess alternative shelter locations.
