A new pilot program will put people facing barriers to traditional employment to work helping clean streets and public spaces in downtown Peterborough.
City council has endorsed providing $25,000 to One City Community Development Services for an eight-week Community Stewardship – Clean Streets pilot program this fall.
The funding will come from the city’s existing waste collection and operations budget.
The initiative is expected to provide supervised work opportunities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness while improving cleanliness in neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Participants will help clean areas surrounding One City’s Trinity Centre shelter as well as a section of downtown bounded by Hunter, Charlotte, Park and Water streets.
According to the city, the initiative is intended to create cleaner and more welcoming public spaces while giving participants an opportunity to contribute directly to the neighbourhoods where they live and spend time.
The program is also designed to strengthen connections between people experiencing homelessness, residents, businesses, service organizations and the broader community.
City staff say the $25,000 investment will allow them to test the stewardship model over eight weeks.
Following the pilot, staff are expected to report back to council in early 2027 with results and recommendations.
That could include expanding the program into other areas of Peterborough, potentially with financial support from businesses, community organizations and other partners.
