PLACES FOR PEOPLE - OUR GOALS

The goal of Places for People is to do more than renovate homes. We don’t think it’s good enough just to get by. We want to help our tenants break the cycle of poverty that often plagues people who have spent too long with too little. This part of the plan has three prongs.

      1)  The first part is simply to provide the lowest rent possible, based on the family’s actual income. Our units will rent for the actual shelter costs provided by Social Assistance (minimum $335 - $427) or not more than 30% of a working person’s income. 

      2)  The second part is of the plan is to provide the residents with equity, creating an asset base for them to move forward on. Places for People will be setting aside a portion of the tenants’ monthly rent payments. These funds will be held in trust, to be accessed only when the family is ready to move on from the unit, or in cases of extreme emergency, only with the consent of the board and only when all other options have been exhausted.

       3)  The third part is to support our tenants. We anticipate that that our residents may need additional supports to be successful in their tenancy. Support may be as simple as a neighbour who helps out with laundry or childcare, or there may be a more serious need in the household, like mental health support. Each resident will be assessed and provided with access to appropriate, non-invasive supports in the community. To ensure the security and harmony of the residence, a criminal record check will be required of all applicants.

Helping Youth

Places for People also has an ongoing mandate to focus on helping children and youth who might be at risk: 
               a)  All three units in the current project will house children and/ or a youth.

             b)  Reducing housing costs leaves more money to meet other family needs.

             c)  Tenant equity will help families invest in their futures, not just subsist in the present.

             d)  All occupants will have individualized support programs, to ensure success not just in this tenancy, but success for the future of the family. 

The long-term goal of Places for People is to acquire a substantial number of houses in Orillia. In this way, we hope to revitalize every corner of our community and provide equal access to secure and affordable housing for all of the residents of our town.