What I'm Hearing in Otonabee

Participants described Peterborough as a city with unrealized potential. They wanted graduates, entrepreneurs and community members to find meaningful opportunities here instead of feeling they must leave to build a career or business.

Participants wanted a real path from emergency shelter to transitional and supportive housing, rent-geared-to-income homes and stable market housing. The concern was not simply a shortage in one part of the system, but the gaps between each stage.

Housing was the strongest theme across the Hope City conversations. Participants described a Peterborough where people are not forced to leave because they can no longer afford to stay, and where homelessness is treated with urgency.

Participants repeatedly described a Peterborough where everyone has enough income for rent, food and other basic needs. Many connected this vision directly to Basic Income and to income supports that reflect the actual cost of living.

Participants wanted Peterborough to protect green space, farmland and Treaty land while directing growth toward complete, walkable neighbourhoods with housing, parks and everyday services.

Participants wanted people experiencing a mental health crisis to be met first with appropriate health and crisis support rather than an enforcement response. They pointed to co-response work as a direction worth expanding.

Participants described social-service organizations spending too much time reapplying for short-term grants. They wanted reliable, multi-year funding that allows agencies to retain experienced staff, plan ahead and concentrate on serving people.

Participants described transit as too expensive or limited for some residents and raised particular concerns about safety at night. They wanted a service that people of different ages, incomes and abilities can trust throughout the day.

Participants wanted the City to be an active partner to small businesses and community enterprises. They emphasized simpler processes, practical support and fewer unnecessary barriers for people trying to start or grow something locally.

Participants envisioned measurable climate progress, cooler and safer homes and public spaces, stronger preparation for extreme weather, and a more resilient and self-reliant Peterborough.

Participants wanted dignified shelter and drop-in options for different circumstances, including women, youth and families, people needing greater safety, and people who cannot use the existing shelter system.

Participants wanted affordability to be planned into new development instead of depending on occasional projects or favourable market conditions. They supported using development rules and public agreements to secure homes that remain affordable.

Participants envisioned affordable or free recreation, more outdoor gathering places, community centres and visible support for music, art and shared civic life.

Participants imagined protected food-producing land, thriving markets and gardens, more local processing and packaging, and less dependence on distant supply chains.

A participant described witnessing or experiencing stigma toward people who are homeless or use drugs. Their vision was for every interaction with first responders to begin with dignity, regardless of a person's circumstances.

Participants wanted emergency plans to reach people who may not receive a website or radio update. Their vision included accessible information, food and practical support delivered through strong neighbourhood, community and public-health partnerships.

A participant emphasized the people delivering emergency services. Their vision included enough trained staff, fair compensation and sustained support for workers residents depend on during fires, medical emergencies and other crises.

One contribution focused on young people who cannot reliably reach work, school or social activities without a car or help from their parents. The vision was for transit that gives youth genuine freedom of movement.

Participants described mental health care as too expensive, too slow and disconnected from where people live. They wanted counselling, psychiatry and peer support available in the community before a situation becomes a crisis.

A participant wanted City budgets, bylaws and plans to show how decisions affect low-income residents, disabled people, newcomers and others who face barriers.

Participants described roads, sidewalks, trails and public rights-of-way that remain safe and dependable through winter, construction and changing conditions. They raised maintenance, lighting, snow clearing and accessible parking as connected concerns.

Participants wanted services that are easy to find, respectful and connected across organizations. They described active outreach and practical help that continues instead of requiring a person in crisis to navigate every program alone.

Participants were frustrated that stigma and neighbourhood opposition can delay or block supportive housing. They wanted elected leaders to explain the value of these homes clearly and treat supportive housing as part of a healthy community.

Participants wanted accessible garbage and green-bin services, enough public bins, cleaner streets and information that works for residents with different incomes, languages and living circumstances.