Places for People’s (P4P) Nataly Mylan said her non-profit’s upcoming Sleeping in Cars fundraiser is all about enduring short-term pain for long-term gain.
The event returns to the Head Lake Park parking lot March 27, where Mylan expects around 50 people to rough it overnight in their vehicles. Now in its seventh year, Mylan said the fundraiser provides perspective to participants on how fortunate they are to have a roof over their heads.
“It’s uncomfortable, a little on the chilly side, but it’s all about making sure people have gratitude and don’t take the niceties we have in life for granted,” Mylan said. “When you’re stuck in your car and your legs are going to sleep, you’re going to be reminded about how comfortable and beautiful that bed is at home and how grateful you are to have it.”
After raising north of $40,000 last time out – the event’s best return yet – Mylan is aiming to hit $60,000 this year. As of March 11, they’d brought in $8,770.
Gaining momentum as a grassroots community effort, Mylan said Sleeping in Cars is gaining more traction in the County’s business community this year. Andria Cowan Molyneaux has confirmed her business, ACM Designs, will have a team slumbering outdoors again, with Matt Renda’s Boshkung Brewing also pitching in.
The Mill Pond Restaurant in Carnarvon is donating $1 from every coffee sold through March, with all proceeds going to P4P, while Haliburton Gold Group, RE/ MAX Professionals North and MyPortal Marketing have also donated to the cause.
Cowan Molyneaux said it’s an effort close to her heart. She’s been participating for three years, after finding out that one of her employees spent time living in their car.
“Sleeping in Cars raises critical funds and awareness while shining a light on a reality that often goes unseen in our community – housing insecurity,” Cowan Molyneaux said. “While Haliburton County is known for its beautiful lakes and strong sense of community, access to safe, appropriate and affordable housing remains a serious challenge for many young families and working professionals. Too often, homelessness is hidden through temporary solutions like couch surfing or sleeping in vehicles.
“Housing insecurity isn’t just an affordability issue; it’s a supply issue… the ripple effects touch everyone,” she added.
Mylan said P4P is doing its part to address that shortfall in affordable housing. It currently owns 21 units in the County and has plans to add 15 more next year, once Habitat for Humanity completes its 35-unit build overlooking Grass Lake.
With P4P a partner in that project, Mylan said the project is on schedule to break ground in 2027. She said building permits should be finalized by this fall. The nonprofit has said it will likely take millions of dollars to purchase the 15 units once construction is wrapped.
“We are moving forward on this with lightning speed… I think now more than ever we’re beginning to realize the scope of the housing problem in our area. We’re also discovering that, unless we as a community are the ones to step up and take on the challenge, that nobody else is going to do this for us,” Mylan said. “We want our community to thrive, to be resilient, and the way to do that is by making sure there is space for everyone to live affordably.”
To donate, search ‘sleeping in cars 2026’ on www.zeffy.com
