Susan Tromanhauser will be one of several first-timers braving the elements to spend a night outdoors next month as Places for People brings its Sleeping in Cars fundraiser back for a sixth year.
The County-based non-profit uses the event to drive conversation about housing affordability in the Highlands, as well as bringing in money to help bolster local rental inventory.
Since 2019, Sleeping in Cars has raised approximately $100,000.
“We hear people say stuff like ‘oh, we don’t have homeless people here’, just because they aren’t sleeping on park benches or lined up along Highland Street, it doesn’t mean they aren’t here. Our homeless people are sleeping in cars, they’re couch surfing, or sleeping in housing that isn’t suitable,” said Tromanhauser, who took over as P4P president last fall.
“There are many people in our community in need of appropriate housing. This event gives people the opportunity to spend a night in their shoes, get a little taste of what they have to go through,” she added.
This year’s event takes place March 22 at Head Lake Park. Tromanhauser noted there are 37 people registered, which is roughly double the usual turnout. She believes this is proof P4P’s message is getting out to the public.
The organization owns and operates five properties across the County, with 12 affordable housing units. Its immediate focus is setting as much money aside as possible for a potential 16-unit build on Peninsula Road in Haliburton.
Owner of the land, Paul Wilson, pledged one of four lots fronting Grass Lake to P4P in 2022. A proposal to develop the property has been supported by Dysart et al and Haliburton County councils, though is subject to an Ontario Land Tribunal review, scheduled for November.
Tromanhauser said P4P is also looking for opportunities to invest in existing rentals, like the deal struck in 2022 to take over a fiveplex in Carnarvon.
“We need to maintain as many rental units in this County as possible. We can’t afford to lose a single one,” Tromanhauser said, noting P4P receives dozens of applications for every unit that becomes available.
More than 400 Highlands households are waiting on subsidized community housing through Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation. Michelle Corley, KLH spokesperson, noted there has been a marked increase in homelessness in the County since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tromanhauser said she wants to be an advocate for those struggling to find housing.
“My husband and I moved from the city – we’re originally from St. Catherines but have had a cottage on Saskatchewan Lake for 30 years. We have a real love for the area,” she said. “It wasn’t until we retired here that we realized how big a gap there is between the haves and the have nots in Haliburton County, especially when it comes to things like affordable housing.
“I’m not really sure what to expect. We’re planning some activities for before bed – I’ve already dug myself a nice pair of woolly socks and a few blankets out to help get me through,” she added.
There will be live entertainment from 7 p.m., with people encouraged to gather and share stories around a campfire. A light breakfast will be served the next morning.
For more information, or to register, visit placesforpeople.ca. Minimum donation of $50 required to participate.
