By Mike Anderson
For Peter and Brittany living on a boat during the winter is a better option than living in a tent or temporary shelter.
“For the past eight years, I was living in a tent or at the bandstand in Jackson’s Point. Then Pete and I got together,” Brittany said.
“The boat seemed the best option for us. And in the summertime it’s great. We have all the amenities at the marina. They have a shower there. They got running water. They got hydro. But they shut it down in the winter.”
The boat, a 30-foot 1986 Sea Ray cabin cruiser, is now moored outside the marina at a dock in Keswick’s Maskinonge River.
The couple rely on a diesel generator to run a portable heater and to keep the boat’s batteries charged.
The batteries power a bilge pump that acts like a bubbler, preventing the ice from crushing the boat’s fibreglass hull.
Peter says he spends about $40 on diesel a week to keep the generator running 24/7. He says he’d prefer to have shore power, but his neighbours, despite his offer to pay them, won’t supply it.
“My major concern is a place to live. Because Brittany’s adapted to living on the boat. This is her home now. So, whatever it takes to keep this thing afloat and as long as my health is willing, I’m going to make sure that happens,” he said.
Peter, 52, a marine technician, can’t work because he has a broken leg. With no income and limited savings, first and last month’s rent was out of the question. And without proof of current employment, no landlord would take a chance on him.
“No proof of income, no apartment,” he said.
Brittany, 33, says the stigma of being homelessness also makes it harder to find a place to rent.
“If you’re on the street, people consider you a drug addict, or you have mental issues. They won’t rent you a room. But that’s not the case here. Some people are just really struggling,” she said.
Both Peter and Brittany would like to see more emergency and transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness in Georgina.
“There should be a co-ed shelter, where a couple can go and be together. They should have at least that option. Little dorm rooms, or a tiny house or something like that, to help them transition to an apartment,” Brittany said.
“When I was fully homeless on the street, the most they gave me was a blanket and some hand warmers, and then they told me to get on my way.”
“There are no options for us. You have to be a youth or be willing to move to a place with a big shelter. But we would be separated from each other.”
Currently, there is only one location in Georgina that offers emergency and transitional housing.
While Sutton Youth Services, run by the Salvation Army, operates a program called The Bridge, it only has capacity for 10 people aged 16 and over – six 1-bedroom units, and two 2-bedroom units.
But Brittany says they’re not eligible for The Bridge.
“It’s for families; So either expecting mothers, or families that have children,” she said.
While Peter and Brittany are confident they can make it through the winter. They admit they couldn’t do it without help from others.
Friends and family have been dropping off food for them.
And the Street Outreach Van, operated by Newmarket’s Loft Community Services in partnership with York Region Public Health, provided a replacement generator after theirs stopped working.
“They got us a generator because they see we’re trying. And they got me boots and a winter jacket. They’re good that way. But when it comes to housing, there needs to be a bigger step up.”
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