Item - 2013.CD23.4
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on October 8, 2013 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by Community Development and Recreation Committee on September 18, 2013 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on October 8, 2013.
- See also By-law 1331-2013
CD23.4 - Housing Stabilization Fund - Updates and New Housing Allowance
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on October 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the General Managers of Toronto Employment and Social Services and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to deliver a time-limited housing allowance program to assist up to 260 homeless and at-risk senior households in Toronto in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the report (September 4, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
2. City Council authorize the reallocation of funding for the Housing Stabilization Fund of $3.7 million gross and revenue for $0 net, from the 2013 Approved Operating Budget for Toronto Employment and Social Services at the end of the year, provided these funds are unspent, to the 2013 Approved Operating Budget for Hostel Services for this purpose.
3. City Council authorize the establishment of a new "Housing Allowance Reserve" as an ear-marked reserve, for the purpose of providing a housing allowance to individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness, in accordance with the criteria set out in Appendix A to the report (September 4, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer by:
a. amending Municipal Code Chapter 227 (Reserves and Reserve Funds) by adding the "Housing Allowance Reserve" to Schedule 1 (Corporate Reserves) with criteria as set out in Appendix A; and
b. funding the "Housing Allowance Reserve" in the amount of up to $3.7 million from the 2013 Hostel Services Operating Budget.
4. City Council authorize the allocation of $3.7 million from the 2013 Hostel Services Operating Base Budget as a contribution to the newly established Housing Allowance Reserve, to provide funding for time-limited housing allowances in accordance with the criteria set out in the report (September 4, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
5. City Council direct the General Manager of Toronto Employment and Social Services to change the Housing Stabilization Fund asset limit to $2,500 to align with the change in new asset limit rules for Ontario Works in the 2013 Ontario Budget.
6. City Council request the Provincial government to demonstrate its commitment to its Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy by:
a. in the immediate term, making the one time transitional funding of $12.3 million that it provided to the City in 2013, a permanent part of the City's funding allocation under the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI);
b. in the immediate term, building a cost of living escalator into the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding allocation to ensure that the real value of the funding does not diminish over time; and
c. in the longer term, increasing the amount of funding for affordable and social housing and homelessness prevention programs and services to a level recognizes the high level of need in the City of Toronto.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-61340.pdf
Communications (Committee)
Communications (City Council)
CD23.4 - Housing Stabilization Fund - Updates and New Housing Allowance
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the General Managers of Toronto Employment and Social Services and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to deliver a time-limited housing allowance program to assist up to 260 homeless and at-risk senior households in Toronto in accordance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the report (September 4, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
2. City Council authorize the reallocation of funding for the Housing Stabilization Fund of $3.7 million gross and revenue for $0 net, from the 2013 Approved Operating Budget for Toronto Employment and Social Services at the end of the year, provided these funds are unspent, to the 2013 Approved Operating Budget for Hostel Services for this purpose.
3. City Council authorize the establishment of a new "Housing Allowance Reserve" as an ear-marked reserve, for the purpose of providing a housing allowance to individuals experiencing and at risk of homelessness, in accordance with the criteria set out in Appendix A to the report (September 4, 2013) from the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer by:
a. Amending Municipal Code Chapter 227 (Reserves and Reserve Funds) by adding the "Housing Allowance Reserve" to Schedule 1 (Corporate Reserves) with criteria as set out in Appendix A; and
b. Funding the "Housing Allowance Reserve" in the amount of up to $3.7 million from the 2013 Hostel Services Operating Budget.
4. City Council authorize the allocation of $3.7 million from the 2013 Hostel Services Operating Base Budget as a contribution to the newly established Housing Allowance Reserve, to provide funding for time-limited housing allowances in accordance with the criteria set out in this report.
5. City Council direct the General Manager of Toronto Employment and Social Services to change the Housing Stabilization Fund asset limit to $2,500 to align with the change in new asset limit rules for Ontario Works in the 2013 Ontario Budget.
6. City Council request the provincial government to demonstrate its commitment to its Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy by:
a. in the immediate term, making the one time transitional funding of $12.3 million that it provided to the City in 2013, a permanent part of the City's funding allocation under the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI);
b. in the immediate term, build a cost of living escalator into the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding allocation to ensure that the real value of the funding does not diminish over time; and
c. in the longer term, increase the amount of funding for affordable and social housing and homelessness prevention programs and services to a level recognizes the high level of need in the City of Toronto.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Community Development and Recreation Committee:
1. Requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the October 28, 2013 meeting of the Community Development and Recreation Committee on how the future housing allowance will be designed to meet the needs of at-risk senior, LGBTQ and Aboriginal households consistent with the findings of the most recent Street Needs Assessment.
Origin
Summary
In May, 2013, Council directed staff to report back on the take up and expenditures for the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) in the second quarter of 2013, and report on the plan to use the unallocated funds to support a new housing allowance.
Council previously directed the use of Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding to establish the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF), which provides assistance to Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients in obtaining and/or retaining their housing, or relocating to more appropriate or affordable accommodation.
This report provides an update on the Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) spending for the period ended June 30, 2013, and outlines the steps that Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS) has taken to increase the take up of HSF, including providing improved communication, additional outreach and updating eligibility changes.
This report also requests authority to create a time-limited housing allowance program that supports homeless and at-risk seniors households, including identifying the eligibility criteria, target groups, funding levels, and administration processes. The proposed housing allowance will be jointly delivered by TESS and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA).
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-61340.pdf
Communications
Speakers
Alex Abramovich
Susan Gapka, Trans Lobby Group
Joan Anderson, Project Manager, Toronto HIV/AIDS Network
Councillor Janet Davis
Motions
That the Community Development and Recreation Committee:
1. Request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the October 28, 2013 meeting of the Community Development and Recreation Committee on how the future housing allowance will be designed to meet the needs of at-risk senior, LGBTQ and Aboriginal households consistent with the findings of the most recent Street Needs Assessment.
That:
1. City Council request the provincial government to demonstrate its commitment to its Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy by:
a. in the immediate term, making the one time transitional funding of $12.3 million that it provided to the City in 2013, a permanent part of the City's funding allocation under the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI);
b. in the immediate term, build a cost of living escalator into the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding allocation to ensure that the real value of the funding does not diminish over time; and
c. in the longer term, increase the amount of funding for affordable and social housing and homelessness prevention programs and services to a level recognizes the high level of need in the City of Toronto.