An advocate for affordable housing asked council to consider adding money to the rent supplement program at a meeting on Monday, but council didn't vote on the matter.

There were 56 registered delegations on Monday, plus several more people stayed all evening to wait their turn to speak.

Council was expected to adopt a 2020 budget on Monday, though the vote was put off until Thursday. People were there to speak about a variety of issues in the budget such as housing.

Joanne Bezak-Brokking asked council to consider adding $216,000 to its rent supplement program, which helps people who are about to be evicted from their apartments because they can't afford the rent.

"Rent supplements save lives: that what people with lived experience say," she said. "They give people a fighting chance to get their life back."

An additional $216,000 would help 30 people avoid eviction and homelessness this year, she said.

But Coun. Keith Riel, the co-chairperson of housing, said the city is putting aside more than $2.1 million on rent supplements this year.

"I think this is a city that sets the pace," Riel said. "Every year, we put more supplements in. Thank you for being an advocate - but I think we're doing our part."

Coun. Henry Clarke, the other co-chairperson of housing, said more money may be coming to boost rent supplements - but he didn't say how much money, whether it's a grant, or where it may be coming from.

Another housing advocate, Morgan Carl, said "it's a punch in the gut" to see young people he knows depending on food banks to make ends meet.

Carl said it's too bad so many luxury apartments are planned right now when people are overpaying for their rent and facing possible homelessness.

"This is a crisis ... I do think we've been in this state so long it's lost its meaning," he said.

Outside City Hall on Monday, several people held up protest signs asking council to boost affordable housing.

Nancy Duprey and her five-year-old son were there; Duprey said she and her family are homeless and have been couch-surfing with relatives for a few weeks.

Their apartment building became unsafe, she said, when a new tenant with a mental health issue moved in and tried breaking down her apartment door while she was inside with her children.

Duprey said she's tried to find a homeless shelter, but unless you're a woman fleeing domestic abuse with your children it's hard to find a spot.

Council reconvenes Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall to debate adoption of the 2020 budget.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com