Item - 2015.CD2.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 31, 2015 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Community Development and Recreation Committee on March 23, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on March 31, 2015.
CD2.2 - Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 31, April 1 and 2, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Director, Real Estate Services, to assist Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff to identify appropriate facilities for use as the 15 potential new emergency shelter sites, both temporary and permanent, that will be needed in the next five years.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to work with the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights to identify strategies to increase the number of physically accessible shelter beds available.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to report through the 2016 budget process on the impacts of the strategies identified in this report in achieving a 90 percent occupancy target in each emergency shelter sector, and the implications for additional resources needed.
4. City Council forward the report (March 9, 2015) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in particular the workplan on a Mental Health and Substance Use strategy in shelters, to the Board of Health for information.
5. City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments provide additional funding to create additional supportive housing spaces for long term shelter users with significant health, mental health and addiction issues.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-77792.pdf
(March 23, 2015) Presentation - from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, on Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-78163.pdf
Communications (Committee)
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Apr-02-2015 5:14 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - CD2.2 - Adopt the item |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 33 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Norman Kelly, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
Total members that were Absent: 12 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Jim Karygiannis, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, John Tory |
CD2.2 - Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the Director, Real Estate Services, to assist Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff to identify appropriate facilities for use as the 15 potential new emergency shelter sites, both temporary and permanent, that will be needed in the next five years.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to work with the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights to identify strategies to increase the number of physically accessible shelter beds available.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to report through the 2016 budget process on the impacts of the strategies identified in this report in achieving a 90 percent occupancy target in each emergency shelter sector, and the implications for additional resources needed.
4. City Council refer the report (March 9, 2015) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in particular the workplan on a Mental Health and Substance Use strategy in shelters, to the Board of Health for information.
5. City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments provide additional funding to create additional supportive housing spaces for long term shelter users with significant health, mental health and addiction issues.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Community Development and Recreation Committee requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to:
1. Report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on:
a. the adequacy of Provincial and Federal funding, and areas where the City should be requesting enhanced or new funding;
b. strategies to improve the ability of the City to locate and relocate shelters in an efficient and community sensitive way; and further that the Community Engagement Best Practices for Emergency Shelters be amended and updated to include clear timelines; and
c. progress of the Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan on a semi-annual basis.
2. Review the drop-in programs funded by the City with a view to analyzing their efficiency in homelessness prevention and possible enhanced funding.
3. Review sites at risk, in consultation with Real Estate Services, and report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on:
a. strategies to maintain existing shelter locations; and
b. potential acquisition sites to secure the system.
The General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration gave a presentation to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System.
Origin
Summary
This report sets out an infrastructure and service improvement plan to guide transformation of the emergency shelter system. This plan reflects the City's Housing First approach to ending homelessness by assisting people to move from emergency shelter into permanent housing as quickly as possible, while recognizing the importance of maintaining a robust and responsive emergency shelter system to provide assistance to people in crisis. The plan also supports the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The report provides a detailed overview of the emergency shelter system in a city that is seeing less and less affordable housing, rising property values, and increased poverty. It discusses how the system is structured, who uses it and current service use trends. It highlights areas that need to be changed in order for client needs to continue to be met in an effective and efficient manner. This analysis lays the foundation for a range of proposed actions, including:
- Development of a new program that focuses on housing long term shelter users to free up shelter beds for their original emergency purpose. The report outlines a range of Housing First approaches to achieve this objective, including partnership opportunities with Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to provide housing and supports for clients with complex physical, mental health and substance use issues.
- An overview of the additional shelter capacity required to meet a 90 percent occupancy target in each emergency shelter sector, while also responding to the need for relocation of multiple existing shelter sites, including those related to George Street Revitalization and the displacement of existing shelters caused by real estate development initiatives. The report sets out a clear process for identifying and seeking approval for new shelter sites that will be needed, and outlines a plan for the capital investments required.
- An update on a number of strategic initiatives underway to improve access and the effective operation of the emergency shelter system. These include updating the Shelter Standards, review of the use of transitional shelter programs, development of an enhanced centralized access system for emergency shelters, development of a harm reduction framework and development of strategic performance indicators and a new funding model that creates incentives to support clients in moving to permanent housing.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-77792.pdf
(March 23, 2015) Presentation - from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, on Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-78163.pdf
Communications
Speakers
Derek George
Joyce Rankin, Street Health
John Clarke, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
Mark Aston, Fred Victor/Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness
Susan Gapka
Councillor John Campbell
Motions
That the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the adequacy of Provincial and Federal funding, and areas where the City should be requesting enhanced or new funding.
The General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on strategies to improve the ability of the City to locate and relocate shelters in an efficient and community sensitive way; and further that the Community Engagement Best Practices for Emergency Shelters be amended and updated to include clear timelines.
That the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on progress of the Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan on a semi-annual basis.
That the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration review the drop-in programs funded by the City with a view to analyzing their efficiency in homelessness prevention and possible enhanced funding.
That the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, review sites at risk, in consultation with Real Estate Services, and report back to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on:
a. strategies to maintain existing shelter locations; and
b. potential acquisition sites to secure the system.