Item - 2013.CD24.5
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 13, 2013 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by the Community Development and Recreation Committee on October 28, 2013 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on November 13, 2013.
CD24.5 - Toronto Rent Bank Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 13, 14, 15 and 18, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to negotiate, execute and amend agreements for the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 with Neighbourhood Information Post (the lead community agency coordinating the Rent Bank Program in Toronto) to deliver the Toronto Rent Bank Program, in accordance with the guidelines set out in Appendix A to the report (October 10, 2013) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, subject to the approval of the 2014 and 2015 Operating Budgets for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.
2. City Council allocate a budget of up to $1,053,000 gross and $0 net from the 2014 Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Program for the Toronto Rent Bank Program, subject to the approval of the 2014 Operating Budget and up to $370,812 gross and $0 net from the January 1 to March 31, 2015 Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Program, subject to the approval of the 2015 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.
3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to make changes to the guidelines, as outlined in Appendix A to the report (October 10, 2013) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Rent Bank Steering Committee, in order to improve service delivery and ensure effective use of Rent Bank funds.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-62492.pdf
CD24.5 - Toronto Rent Bank Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to negotiate, execute and amend agreements for the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 with Neighbourhood Information Post (the lead community agency coordinating the Rent Bank Program in Toronto) to deliver the Toronto Rent Bank Program, in accordance with the guidelines set out in Appendix A to the report (October 10, 2013) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, subject to the approval of the 2014 and 2015 Operating Budgets for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.
2. City Council allocate a budget of up to $1,053,000 gross and $0 net from the 2014 Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Program for the Toronto Rent Bank Program, subject to the approval of the 2014 Operating Budget and up to $370,812 gross and $0 net from the January 1 to March 31, 2015 Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative Program, subject to the approval of the 2015 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.
3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to make changes to the guidelines, as outlined in Appendix A to the report (October 10, 2013) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Rent Bank Steering Committee, in order to improve service delivery and ensure effective use of Rent Bank funds.
Origin
Summary
Since 2004, the provincial government has provided funding for a Rent Bank Program in Toronto to provide interest-free loans to low income tenants at risk of eviction. Starting in 2013, the Provincial Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) replaced five existing homeless services funding programs: Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program (CHPP), Emergency Hostels, Emergency Energy Fund, Domiciliary Hostels (none operating in Toronto) and the Rent Bank Program. CHPI is funded by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH).
Council directed that 2013 was a transitional year for the new CHPI Program. The Toronto Rent Bank Program continued to operate throughout 2013 within the same funding and operating parameters which were outlined in the 2009 Rent Bank Agreement between MMAH and the City of Toronto, and the Local Rules approved by Council on October 26 and 27, 2009. However, beginning in 2014, these parameters, known as the Provincial and Local Rules, will no longer be in effect. In their place, new guidelines have been developed to assist low income tenants at risk of eviction.
This report recommends that Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into, amend and administer agreements with respect to the Toronto Rent Bank Program. It also outlines new guidelines for operating the program which are in keeping with the mandate of the program to provide interest-free loans to low income tenants and includes a new pilot program to address the unique needs of tenants at risk of becoming homeless.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-62492.pdf