Item - 2019.PH11.5

Tracking Status

  • City Council adopted this item on December 17, 2019 with amendments.
  • This item was considered by Planning and Housing Committee on December 10, 2019 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on December 17, 2019.

PH11.5 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on December 17 and 18, 2019, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council adopt the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan included as Attachment 1 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, and its recommended actions as the framework to guide the City's efforts over the next 10 years to strategically and effectively addressing housing and homelessness needs.

 

2.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the Executive Director, Financial Planning, to establish a consolidated list of actions identifying funding needs for a 10-year period, informed by the federal and provincial funding commitments and third party partnerships, reviewed annually for consideration as part of the City’s annual budget process.

 

3.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to include a request for $250,000 in the 2020 Housing Secretariat operating budget submission to be used to establish a housing fund and identify options to access private capital to support the development of affordable rental housing, and to report to City Council on the results by the third quarter of 2020.

 

4.  City Council approve, in principle, the new 10-Year Investment Plans for the Housing Now Initiative and Open Door Affordable Rental Housing Program outlined in the Financial Impact section of the report to activate the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and support the creation of 20,000 new affordable rental and supportive homes.

 

5.  City Council direct the City Manager to establish the role or function of Housing Commissioner in 2020 and request the City Manager to report to City Council by the third quarter of 2020 with options for the function to independently assess implementation of the revised Toronto Housing Charter and the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and ensure that the City, within its legislative authorities, and through implementation of various programs and policies, is taking concrete actions to combat systematic housing discrimination and address systemic hurdles in the housing system.

 

6.  City Council request the City Manager, in examining the establishment of a Housing Commissioner role, to consult with human rights experts and other groups and individuals with an interest in the establishment of the position.

 

7.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to include $70,000 in the 2020 Operating Budget submission to be used by Neighbourhood Information Post to administer and hire an additional Full-Time Employee for the Trusteeship Program to maintain caseloads at a 1:50 ratio, reduce the current waiting list, and manage clients with increasingly complex needs for trusteeship services.

 

8.  City Council direct the City Manager to forward the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, including a full list of recommended actions in Attachment 2 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, and estimated costs to:

 

a.  inform current and future housing policies, programs and initiatives; and

 

b.  request continuation of existing programs to 2030 as well as new and enhanced investments in Toronto in the amount of $6.9 billion in provincial investment in from 2020-2030 to address the health, socio-economic and environmental well-being of residents in the city and the region.

 

9.  City Council request the Provincial Government take the following actions to mitigate the rising number of homeless persons in Toronto:

 

a. identify Provincially-owned space which could be made available for emergency homeless shelter this winter and, should City staff request these sites on a short-term basis, immediately provide them for this use;

 

b. require municipal governments receiving Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding to build new shelters that provide sufficient capacity to accommodate their local homeless populations;

 

c. immediately expand funding to create new supportive housing units in the City of Toronto to transition people experiencing homelessness from shelters to permanent housing;

 

d. create a specific funding stream for shelter services in Toronto that is responsive to sudden increases in demand for services, and in recognition that many people from underserved municipalities are accessing Toronto’s emergency shelter system; and

 

e. provide equal rent scales for Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program recipients regardless of what type of housing they reside in.

 

10.  City Council request the City Manager to forward the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to the Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, including a list of recommended actions in Attachment 3 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and estimated costs to:

 

a.  inform current and future housing policies, programs and initiatives; and

 

b.  request continuation of existing programs to 2030 as well as new and enhanced investments in Toronto in the amount of $6.4 billion in federal investments from 2020-2030 to address the housing crisis impacting the health, socio- economic and environmental well-being of residents in the City, the region and the country as a whole.

 

11. City Council request the Federal Government take the following actions to mitigate the rising number of homeless persons in Toronto:

 

a. identify Federally-owned spaces which could be made available for emergency homeless shelter this winter and, should City staff request these sites on a short term basis, immediately provide them for this use;

 

b. develop a federally administered system to house refugee/asylum claimants who arrive in Toronto without adequate housing;

 

c. create a predictable funding regime to ensure the city is quickly reimbursed for its expenditures for providing temporary housing for refugee/asylum claimants; and

 

d. immediately expand funding to create new supportive housing units in the City of Toronto to transition people experiencing homelessness from shelters to permanent housing.

  

12.  City Council request the Government of Canada to immediately fund and accelerate development of an Emergency Housing Allowance Fund to prevent additional people from falling into homelessness and to quickly move people out of shelters into permanent housing.

 

13.  City Council recognize that homelessness in Toronto is a critical issue requiring expedited action by all levels of government.

 

14.  City Council recognize that homelessness in Toronto is an ongoing critical and emergency issue requiring the Provincial and Federal governments to commit on an expedited basis to build on the initiatives the city has taken to date.

 

15.  City Council advise the Provincial and Federal governments that the following actions have been taken by the City over the last five years:

 

a. the City has added more than 3,000 shelter beds since 2015. Toronto’s shelter system has more than 7,000 beds across 64 permanent shelters and motel/hotel programs. Close to 2,300 beds in hotel-based programs are designated primarily to serve families. The City operates 11 shelters directly and provides funding to community agencies for the operation of the remaining 53 shelters;

 

b. in addition to the existing 24-hour respite sites with 414 spaces, the City has opened six new services this winter, adding 485 spaces, for a total of at least 899 spaces available as part of the 2019-2020 winter services plan with additional contingency spaces that may be activated as needed. This is an increase over the 805 spaces provided last winter, and significantly more service than 2014 when just two services were provided during Extreme Cold Weather Alerts only. This is the sixth consecutive winter that the City will increase overall capacity to ensure safe and welcoming places for people who need them; and

 

c. since 1998, the City of Toronto has warned that homelessness is a national crisis that requires urgent action on housing by Provincial and Federal governments. 

 

16.  City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments, as part of their 2020 Budgets, to commit to capital and operating funding to support the creation of 1,800 new units of supportive housing annually, in order to reduce homelessness in Toronto.

 

17.  City Council request the City Manager to engage other levels of government in order to establish an Intergovernmental Working Group with a mandate to secure increased investment and support from the other levels of government to expedite the City's initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto.

 

18.  City Council request Provincial and Federal representatives to meet with City staff and appropriate stakeholders before January 15, 2020 to develop an immediate six-month action plan and strategy framework that expedites the City’s initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto including:

 

a.  identifying the unaddressed low-income housing support gaps, including those of mental health and addictions, economic insecurity, long-term health issues and any challenge that may contribute to homelessness in Toronto;

 

b.  identifying and recommending programs, supports, and services that can be provided on an expedited basis by the appropriate levels of government respective to their jurisdictions but in collaboration with each other to prevent homelessness upstream and provide the current population with accessible options for dignified, stable, secure and supportive housing; and

 

c.  reporting on rapid re-housing and other coordinated approaches to quickly move people out of shelters and into permanent housing whenever possible and track performance indicators to demonstrate the effectiveness of this response and incorporate what is learned into next steps.

 

19.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Planning and Housing Committee on February 12, 2020 and June 11, 2020 with an update on the progress of discussions from the Intergovernmental Working Group.

 

20. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to incorporate the work of the Student Dwell TO initiative, a collaboration of the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, and OCAD University, into the next annual update to City Council on the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

21. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to further engage postsecondary institutions and students with respect to the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to ensure student housing needs are formally addressed in the next steps of the Action Plan.

 

22.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report by June 2020 to the Planning and Housing Committee with a detailed implementation plan for the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

23.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report by June 2020 on any additional City staffing resources necessary to support implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Plan, and to be considered as part of the 2021 City Budget process.

 

24.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter Support and Housing Administration to take the following actions to deal with the urgent issue of homelessness in Toronto:

 

a. continue to look for sites, both City and privately owned, to complete Council’s previously approved plans for shelter expansion;

 

b. continue to explore opportunities to maintain and expand the regional refugee strategy and provide housing opportunities for refugee households in surrounding municipalities;

 

c. continue to develop opportunities to partner with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to access vacant units in order to provide housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness; and

 

d. continue to work with the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness to continue to expand the Coordinated Access to Housing and Supports system and increase housing outcomes for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

 

25. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and other applicable staff to:

 

a. support the City of Toronto's Rent Bank program, administered by the Neighbourhood Information Post, by undertaking the following actions no later than February 2020:

 

1. improve the program’s visibility on the City of Toronto’s website; and

 

2. find new channels and opportunities to educate the public about the Rent Bank program’s existence and function.

 

b. undertake an evaluation of the Rent Bank program administered by the Neighbourhood Information Post and develop new options for the enhancement of the program including opportunities to extend the program to tenants in rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units by the end of 2020.

 

26.  City Council endorse an Indigenous set-aside for new affordable housing units, including more deeply affordable housing units.

 

27.  City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee with recommendations on an Indigenous set-aside for new affordable housing units, including more deeply affordable housing units, no later than May 2020.

 

28.  City Council request City staff to consider the presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, as part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

  

29.  City Council adopt the principle that the affordability period for any affordable rental housing built on City land or receiving City funding, subsidy, or incentives shall be permanent, wherever possible.

 

30.  City Council acknowledge and thank the participants that contributed to the development of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, including members of the External Advisory Committee, organizations that hosted community-led consultations, stakeholders in the housing sector, the public, City staff and LURA Consulting.

 

31.  City Council request Mayor Tory and Deputy Mayor Bailão to send letters of appreciation to the following members of the HousingTO 2020-2030 External Advisory Committee:

 

Pedro Barata, United Way of Greater Toronto, Ryerson University

Kris Boyce, Greenwin

Alyssa Brierley, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation

Cherise Burda, Ryerson City Building Institute

Cheryll Case, CP Planning

Daryl Chong, Greater Toronto Apartment Association

Tom Clement, Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto

Geordie Dent , Federation of Metro Tenants Associations

Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Judy Duncan, ACORN Canada

Kira Heineck, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness

Matthew Huxley, People With Lived Experience Group - Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness

Brian Kelcey, Toronto Region Board of Trade

Kelly Lawless, Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG)

Lisa Levin, AdvantAge Ontario

Heather McGregor, YWCA Toronto

Harmy Mendoza, Woman Abuse Council of Toronto

Jason Mercer, Toronto Real Estate Board

Glenn Miller, Toronto’s Seniors Accountability Table

Ingrid Palmer, Tenant's First Advisory Panel

Emily Paradis, Urban Studies University of Toronto Maytree Fellow

David Reycraft, Co-Chair Dixon Hall

Moray Tawse, First National

Steve Teekens, Na-Me-Res 

Steven Torresan, Dream Team

Diane Walter, Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services

David Wilkes, Building Industry and Land Development Association

 

and to the following organizations that hosted community-led consultations:

 

Acorn

Africans in Partnership Against Aids

Anishnawbe Health Toronto

APG Toronto Equity Forum

Artscape

Bangladesh Centre and Community Services (BCCS)

Black Urbanism TO

Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 

Centre for Equality Rights In Accommodation

Centre for Independent Living in Toronto

Community Living Toronto

Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto

Davenport Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre

Dream Team and Houselink

Elizabeth Fry Toronto

FCJ Refugee Centre

Flemingdon Thorncliffe Inter-Agency Network

Indigenous Housing and Resource Collective of Tkaronto

Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society (IRIS)

Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre

Kerry’s Place Autism Services

Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy and Action Group   

Le Comité Francophone de Scarborough

Mainstay Housing

Margaret’s Housing and Community Services

Native Women’s Resource Centre

North York Community House (Lawrence Heights, Neptune)

PARC

Romero House

Regenesis York

Rooming House Project
(Includes Dixon Hall Services, Homes First and Ecuhomes)

Scarborough Community Legal Services

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities

Scarborough Civic Action Network

St. Stephen’s Community House

Sistering

Social Planning Toronto

Springboard

Springtides and FTMA

The 519

The Housing Help Centre

The Redwood

The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO)

Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre

Unison Health and Community Services

Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre

Weston Tenants Association

Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke

Woman Abuse Council of Toronto

Woodgreen

2 Spirited of the First Nations

Background Information (Committee)

(November 26, 2019) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services on HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140650.pdf
Attachment 1 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140651.pdf
Attachment 2 - Consolidated List of Recommended Actions for the Provincial Government
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140630.pdf
Attachment 3 - Consolidated List of Recommended Actions for the Federal Government
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140631.pdf
Attachment 4 - Housing Opportunities Toronto: Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010-2020 - Status Update
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140632.pdf
Attachment 5 - Toronto Housing Market Analysis: From Insight to Action
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140633.pdf
Attachment 6 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan Consultation Summary Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140634.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Presentation from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, Community and Social Services on Housing TO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140988.pdf

Background Information (City Council)

(December 16, 2019) Supplementary report from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat on HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan on New Affordable Rental Housing Targets (PH11.5b)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-141224.pdf
Appendices 1 and 2 to motion 3d by Councillor Bailão
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-141291.pdf

Communications (Committee)

(December 2, 2019) Letter from Councillor Ana Bailão (PH.Main.PH11.5.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99461.pdf
(December 5, 2019) Letter from Allen MacInnis, President, Board of Directors, Church-Isabella Residents' Cooperative (PH.New.PH11.5.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99608.pdf
(December 5, 2019) Letter from Tom Clement, Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (PH.New.PH11.5.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99609.pdf
(December 5, 2019) E-mail from Kate Chung (PH.New.PH11.5.4)
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Wellesley Institute (PH.New.PH11.5.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99619.pdf
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Brian F. Kelcey (PH.New.PH11.5.6)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99652.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Kenneth Hale, Director of Advocacy and Legal Services, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (PH.New.PH11.5.7)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99661.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Kira Heineck, Executive Lead, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (PH.New.PH11.5.8)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99662.pdf
(December 9, 2019) E-mail from Brian Davis, Executive Director, Houselink Community Homes (PH.New.PH11.5.9)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99663.pdf
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Marva Burnett, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN Canada) (PH.New.PH11.5.10)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99664.pdf
(December 10, 2019) E-mail from Emily Paradis (PH.New.PH11.5.11)
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Alyssa Brierley, Executive Director and General Counsel, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (PH.New.PH11.5.12)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99623.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Submission from Doris Power (PH.New.PH11.5.13)

Communications (City Council)

(December 11, 2019) Letter from Roger Sauve, President, Board of Directors, and George Beattie, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Beech Hall Housing Co-operative Incorporated (CC.Supp.PH11.5.14)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/comm/communicationfile-99717.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Submission from Denese Gascho, Board Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CC.Supp.PH11.5.15)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/comm/communicationfile-99765.pdf
(December 16, 2019) Letter from Andrew Thomson, Chief of Government Relations, University of Toronto (CC.New.PH11.5.16)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/comm/communicationfile-99835.pdf
(December 17, 2019) E-mail from Heather Tremain, CEO, Options for Homes (CC.New.PH11.5.17)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/cc/comm/communicationfile-99840.pdf

Motions (City Council)

1a - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Josh Matlow (Lost)

That City Council amend Planning and Housing Committee Recommendation 4 so that it now reads as follows:

 

4.  City Council approve, in principle, the new 10-Year Investment Plans for the Housing Now Initiative and Open Door Affordable Rental Housing Program outlined in the Financial Impact section of the report to activate the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and support the creation of 20,000 new affordable rental and supportive homes subject to a value-for-money report by the City Manager to the Planning and Housing Committee in the first quarter of 2020.

Vote (Amend Item) Dec-17-2019 4:13 PM

Result: Lost Majority Required - PH11.5 - Matlow - motion 1a
Total members that voted Yes: 1 Members that voted Yes are Josh Matlow
Total members that voted No: 24 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

1b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Josh Matlow (Redundant)

That City Council direct that any rental housing development under Housing Now and Open Door, or any other housing development receiving City support through land, direct funding, and tax or development charge rebates, include a provision that no landlord may increase the rent charged on a unit by more than the Guideline, as prescribed in Sec. 120 (1) of the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act, 2016.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata (Upheld)
Speaker Nunziata made the following ruling:

Councillor Matlow's motion 1b requires a reopening of Council's decision on MM12.33 made in November 2019. In that Motion, Council asked for a report to the January 22, 2020 Planning and Housing Committee on the same topic. Councillor Matlow's motion 1b proposes to advance the decision-making and make that decision today, and for that reason a two-thirds of Council is required for City Council to reopen its previous decision.
Challenged by Councillor Josh Matlow


Motion to Re-open Item (Lost)

Reopening of Item MM12.33.

Vote (Re-open Item) Dec-17-2019 4:17 PM

Result: Lost Two-Thirds Required - PH11.5 - Reopen MM12.33
Total members that voted Yes: 7 Members that voted Yes are Joe Cressy, John Filion, Jim Karygiannis, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Gord Perks, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 18 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

2a - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Carried)

That City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and other applicable staff to:

 

a. support the City of Toronto's Rent Bank program, administered by the Neighbourhood Information Post, by undertaking the following actions no later than February 2020:

 

1. improve the program’s visibility on the City of Toronto’s website; and

 

2. find new channels and opportunities to educate the public about the Rent Bank program’s existence and function.

 

b. undertake an evaluation of the Rent Bank program administered by the Neighbourhood Information Post and develop new options for the enhancement of the program including opportunities to extend the program to tenants in rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units by the end of 2020.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:18 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 2a Part a only
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:19 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 2a Part b only
Total members that voted Yes: 24 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 1 Members that voted No are Denzil Minnan-Wong
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

2b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Carried)

That City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to include $70,000 in their 2020 Operating Budget submission to be used by Neighbourhood Information Post to administer and hire an additional Full-Time Employee for the Trusteeship Program to maintain caseloads at a 1:50 ratio, reduce the current waiting list, and manage clients with increasingly complex needs for trusteeship services.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:20 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 2b
Total members that voted Yes: 23 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 2 Members that voted No are Mike Colle, Stephen Holyday
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

2c - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Carried)

That City Council request the Government of Canada to immediately fund and accelerate development of an Emergency Housing Allowance Fund to prevent additional people from falling into homelessness and to quickly move people out of shelters into permanent housing.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:21 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 2c
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

3a - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council amend Planning and Housing Committee Recommendation 11 by deleting the words "intergovernmental table" and inserting the words "Intergovernmental Working Group" so that it now reads as follows:

 

11.  City Council request the City Manager to engage other levels of government in order to establish an Intergovernmental Working Group with a mandate to secure increased investment and support from the other levels of government to expedite the City's initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto.

 

2.  City Council amend Planning and Housing Committee Recommendation 12 by deleting the word "expedited" and inserting the words "immediate six-month" so that it now reads as follows:

 

12.  City Council request Provincial and Federal representatives to meet with City staff and appropriate stakeholders before January 15, 2020 to develop an immediate six-month action plan and strategy framework that expedites the City’s initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto including:

 

3.  City Council amend Planning and Housing Committee Recommendation 13 by adding the date "and June 11, 2020" after the date "February 11, 2020" and deleting the words "with the Provincial and Federal governments on this issue" and inserting the words "from the Intergovernmental Working Group" so that it now reads as follows:

 

13.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Planning and Housing Committee on February 12, 2020 and June 11, 2020 with an update on the progress of discussions from the Intergovernmental Working Group.

Vote (Amend Item) Dec-17-2019 4:14 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Bailão - motion 3a
Total members that voted Yes: 24 Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 1 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

Vote (Amend Item) Dec-17-2019 4:15 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Bailão - motion 3a - REVOTE
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

Motion to Reconsider Vote moved by Councillor Brad Bradford (Carried)

That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider the vote on motion 3a by Councillor Bailão.


3b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council recognize that homelessness in Toronto is an ongoing critical and emergency issue requiring the Provincial and Federal governments to commit on an expedited basis to build on the initiatives the city has taken to date.

 

2. City Council advise the Provincial and Federal governments that the following actions have been taken by the City over the last five years:

 

a. the City has added more than 3,000 shelter beds since 2015. Toronto’s shelter system has more than 7,000 beds across 64 permanent shelters and motel/hotel programs. Close to 2,300 beds in hotel-based programs are designated primarily to serve families. The City operates 11 shelters directly and provides funding to community agencies for the operation of the remaining 53 shelters;

 

b. in addition to the existing 24-hour respite sites with 414 spaces, the City has opened six new services this winter, adding 485 spaces, for a total of at least 899 spaces available as part of the 2019-2020 winter services plan with additional contingency spaces that may be activated as needed. This is an increase over the 805 spaces provided last winter, and significantly more service than 2014 when just two services were provided during Extreme Cold Weather Alerts only. This is the sixth consecutive winter that the City will increase overall capacity to ensure safe and welcoming places for people who need them; and

 

c. since 1998, the City of Toronto has warned that homelessness is a national crisis that requires urgent action on housing by Provincial and Federal governments. 

 

3. City Council request the Federal Government take the following actions to mitigate the rising number of homeless persons in Toronto:

 

a. identify Federally-owned spaces which could be made available for emergency homeless shelter this winter and, should City staff request these sites on a short term basis, immediately provide them for this use;

 

b. develop a federally administered system to house refugee/asylum claimants who arrive in Toronto without adequate housing;

 

c. create a predictable funding regime to ensure the city is quickly reimbursed for its expenditures for providing temporary housing for refugee/asylum claimants; and

 

d. immediately expand funding to create new supportive housing units in the City of Toronto to transition people experiencing homelessness from shelters to permanent housing.

 

4. City Council request the Provincial Government take the following actions to mitigate the rising number of homeless persons in Toronto:

 

a. identify Provincially-owned space which could be made available for emergency homeless shelter this winter and, should City staff request these sites on a short-term basis, immediately provide them for this use;

 

b. require municipal governments receiving Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) funding to build new shelters that provide sufficient capacity to accommodate their local homeless populations;

 

c. immediately expand funding to create new supportive housing units in the City of Toronto to transition people experiencing homelessness from shelters to permanent housing;

 

d. create a specific funding stream for shelter services in Toronto that is responsive to sudden increases in demand for services, and in recognition that many people from underserved municipalities are accessing Toronto’s emergency shelter system; and

 

e. provide equal rent scales for Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program recipients regardless of what type of housing they reside in.

 

5. City Council direct the General Manager of Shelter Support and Housing Administration to take the following actions to deal with the urgent issue of homelessness in Toronto:

 

a. continue to look for sites, both City and privately owned, to complete Council’s previously approved plans for shelter expansion;

 

b. continue to explore opportunities to maintain and expand the regional refugee strategy and provide housing opportunities for refugee households in surrounding municipalities;

 

c. continue to develop opportunities to partner with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to access vacant units in order to provide housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness; and

 

d. continue to work with the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness to continue to expand the Coordinated Access to Housing and Supports system and increase housing outcomes for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:22 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Bailão - motion 3b
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

3c - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to incorporate the work of the Student Dwell TO initiative, a collaboration of the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, and OCAD University, into the next annual update to City Council on the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

2. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to further engage postsecondary institutions and students with respect to the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to ensure student housing needs are formally addressed in the next steps of the Action Plan.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:22 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Bailão - motion 3c
Total members that voted Yes: 24 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 1 Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

3d - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council acknowledge and thank the participants that contributed to the development of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, including members of the External Advisory Committee, organizations that hosted community-led consultations, stakeholders in the housing sector, the public, City staff and LURA Consulting.

 

2. City Council request the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão to send letters of appreciation to the members of the HousingTO 2020-2030 External Advisory Committee, listed in Appendix 1 attached to this motion, and to the organizations that hosted community-led consultations, listed in Appendix 2 attached to this motion.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-17-2019 4:23 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Bailão - motion 3d
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Dec-17-2019 4:24 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - PH11.5 - Adopt the item as amended
Total members that voted Yes: 24 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 1 Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday
Total members that were Absent: 1 Members that were absent are Jaye Robinson

5a - Indigenous Set-Aside of Affordable Housing Units

Background Information (Committee)
(November 22, 2019) Letter from the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee on Indigenous Set-Aside of Affordable Housing Units
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140654.pdf
Presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, as part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140664.pdf

PH11.5 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

Committee Recommendations

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:  

 

1.  City Council adopt the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, included as Attachment 1 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, and its recommended actions as the framework to guide the City's efforts over the next 10 years to strategically and effectively addressing housing and homelessness needs.

 

2.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the Executive Director, Financial Planning, to establish a consolidated list of actions identifying funding needs for a 10-year period, informed by the federal and provincial funding commitments and third party partnerships, reviewed annually for consideration as part of the City’s annual budget process.

 

3.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to include a request for $250,000 in the 2020 Housing Secretariat operating budget submission to be used to establish a housing fund and identify options to access private capital to support the development of affordable rental housing, and report to Council on the results by the third quarter of 2020.

 

4.  City Council approve, in principle, the new 10-Year Investment Plans for the Housing Now Initiative and Open Door Affordable Rental Housing Program outlined in the Financial Impact section of the report to activate the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and support the creation of 20,000 new affordable rental and supportive homes.

 

5.  City Council direct the City Manager to establish the role or function of Housing Commissioner in 2020 and request the City Manager to report to Council by the third quarter of 2020 with options for the function to independently assess implementation of the revised Toronto Housing Charter and the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and ensure that the City, within its legislative authorities, and through implementation of various programs and policies, is taking concrete actions to combat systematic housing discrimination and address systemic hurdles in the housing system.

 

6.  City Council request the City Manager, in examining the establishment of a Housing Commissioner role, to consult with human rights experts and other groups and individuals with an interest in the establishment of the position.

 

7.  City Council direct the City Manager to forward the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, including a full list of recommended actions in Attachment 2 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, and estimated costs to:

 

a.  inform current and future housing policies, programs and initiatives; and

 

b.  request continuation of existing programs to 2030 as well as new and enhanced investments in Toronto in the amount of $6.9 billion in provincial investment in from 2020-2030 to address the health, socio-economic and environmental well-being of residents in the city and the region.

 

8.  City Council request the City Manager to forward the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to the Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, including a list of recommended actions in Attachment 3 to the report (November 26, 2019) from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and estimated costs to:

 

a.  inform current and future housing policies, programs and initiatives; and

 

b.  request continuation of existing programs to 2030 as well as new and enhanced investments in Toronto in the amount of $6.4 billion in federal investments from 2020-2030 to address the housing crisis impacting the health, socio- economic and environmental well-being of residents in the city, the region and the country as a whole.

  

9.  City Council recognize that homelessness in Toronto is a critical issue requiring expedited action by all levels of government.

 

10.  City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments, as part of their 2020 Budgets, to commit to capital and operating funding to support the creation of 1,800 new units of supportive housing annually, in order to reduce homelessness in Toronto.

 

11.  City Council request the City Manager to engage other levels of government in order to establish an intergovernmental table with a mandate to secure increased investment and support from the other levels of government to expedite the City's initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto.

 

12.  City Council request Provincial and Federal representatives to meet with City staff and appropriate stakeholders before January 15, 2020 to develop an expedited action plan and strategy framework that expedites the City’s initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto including:

 

a.  Identifying the unaddressed low-income housing support gaps, including those of mental health and addictions, economic insecurity, long-term health issues and any challenge that may contribute to homelessness in Toronto;

 

b.  Identifying and recommending programs, supports, and services that can be provided on an expedited basis by the appropriate levels of government respective to their jurisdictions but in collaboration with each other to prevent homelessness upstream and provide the current population with accessible options for dignified, stable, secure and supportive housing; and

 

c.  Reporting on rapid re-housing and other coordinated approaches to quickly move people out of shelters and into permanent housing whenever possible and track performance indicators to demonstrate the effectiveness of this response and incorporate what is learned into next steps.

 

13.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Planning and Housing Committee on February 12, 2020 with an update on the progress of discussions with the Provincial and Federal governments on this issue.

 

14.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report by June 2020 to the Planning and Housing Committee with a detailed implementation plan for the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

15.  City Council  request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report by June 2020 on any additional City staffing resources necessary to support implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Plan, and to be considered as part of the 2021 City budget process.

 

16.  City Council endorse an Indigenous set-aside for new affordable housing units, including more deeply affordable housing units.

 

17.  City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to report to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee with recommendations on an Indigenous set-aside for new affordable housing units, including more deeply affordable housing units, no later than May 2020.

 

18.  City Council request City staff to consider the presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, as part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

  

19.  City Council adopt the principle that the affordability period for any affordable rental housing built on City land or receiving City funding, subsidy, or incentives shall be permanent, wherever possible.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Planning and Housing Committee:

 

1.  Directed the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report directly to City Council on December 17, 2019 with an annual housing target that can be achieved regardless of the participation of other governments.

 

The Executive Director Housing Secretariat, Community and Social Services gave a presentation on Housing TO - 2020 - 2030 Action Plan.

Origin

(November 26, 2019) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services

Summary

This report requests Toronto City Council to adopt a set of recommendations to activate the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.  The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan provides a blueprint to assist some 341,000 households achieve “housing success” in Toronto’s challenging housing market.

 

Toronto's housing market has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade. While this has benefited the local, regional and national economies, it has left many low-and-moderate-income households in the city struggling to make ends meet. In particular, high rental and ownership costs have left over 194,000 households (or 17.5% of all private households) paying more that 50% of their income on housing. And although the City of Toronto has expanded emergency shelter capacity during the past three years, much of the shelter facilities were occupied immediately and most shelters continue to operate at capacity with over 7,500 users on any given night.

 

While all orders of government have taken action to address the city's housing challenges over the past decade, there is a need to expand existing efforts and take new measures during the next 10 years. With Toronto's population estimated to grow by up to one million new residents by 2030 and the rental housing vacancy rate currently at 1%, all orders of government need to prioritize and increase investments in affordable and supportive housing. All orders of government must work together to strategically align resources to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis effectively. This strategic alignment includes focusing on permanent affordable housing solutions to improve housing stability, health and economic outcomes for residents.

 

The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan builds upon the City's last 10-year housing plan, Housing Opportunities Toronto: Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010-2020. It proposes a number of actions to address critical needs across the housing spectrum including emergency shelters and transitional housing, social and supportive housing, market and affordable rental housing and homeownership. Maintaining a ten-year housing plan also fulfills the City's legislative requirement to develop and maintain a housing plan pursuant to the provincial Housing Services Act, 2011.

 

In 2009, City Council approved the "Toronto Housing Charter: Opportunity for All". This was an important step in recognizing the City’s commitment to supporting housing equality and non-discrimination in housing regardless of whether an individual or family was without a home, was a tenant or a homeowner. The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan recommends updating the "Toronto Housing Charter: Opportunity for All" in line with new federal legislation and to guide the City in taking action, within its jurisdiction, to advance the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing. 

 

The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan sets out 13 key strategic directions and 76 actions to assist over 341,000 households and guide housing investments by all three orders of government of approximately $23.4 billion from 2020 to 2030. The City’s commitment through current and future investments is proposed to be $8.5 billion over 10 years (including operating, capital investment and other financial tools).

 

The targets in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan reflect a range of actions already being taken by government, as well as ramping up a full range of measures. Achieving these targets would produce major positive outcomes for Toronto residents. In particular, emergency shelter clients would have greater access to supportive housing; tenants paying more than 50% of their income on housing would get rent relief; residents of Toronto Community Housing would live in better maintained and safer homes; and residents would have access to new affordable, supportive and ownership housing opportunities.

 

The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan seeks to leverage existing government investments, while proposing substantial new funding and financing commitments from the City, the province and the federal government.  In particular, the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan calls on the federal government to enhance and extend efforts under the National Housing Strategy and the provincial government to commit to increasing income supports and supportive housing options to vulnerable people. In prioritizing government action across the entire housing spectrum, the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan seeks to provide a diverse range of opportunities for Toronto residents thereby creating greater housing choice and opportunity, while addressing the public’s concern with being “stuck” and “priced” out of Toronto’s housing market.

 

In recognition of the importance of working with our federal and provincial partners, it is proposed that the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan be forwarded to the Federal and Provincial governments to: 1) inform current and future housing policies, programs and initiatives; and 2) request additional investments to address the housing crisis impacting the health, socio-economic and environmental well-being of residents, the city, the region and the country.

 

This report and the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan was prepared with the invaluable insight and input from some 6,000 Toronto residents and an External Advisory Group who participated in public consultations held throughout 2019. 

 

The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan was developed as a corporate initiative with input, support and encouragement from the following City divisions: Housing Secretariat; Shelter, Support and Housing Administration; Social Development, Finance and Administration; Corporate Real Estate Management, CreateTO, Municipal Licensing and Standards; City Planning; Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Homes; Indigenous Affairs Office; Toronto Employment and Social Services; Financial Planning; City Legal; Revenue Services; Economic Development and Culture; Toronto Community Housing Corporation; Toronto Public Health; the offices of City Manager and Deputy City Manager; Community and Social Services; Infrastructure and Development Services; Corporate Services; and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Background Information

(November 26, 2019) Report from the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services on HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140650.pdf
Attachment 1 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140651.pdf
Attachment 2 - Consolidated List of Recommended Actions for the Provincial Government
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140630.pdf
Attachment 3 - Consolidated List of Recommended Actions for the Federal Government
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140631.pdf
Attachment 4 - Housing Opportunities Toronto: Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010-2020 - Status Update
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140632.pdf
Attachment 5 - Toronto Housing Market Analysis: From Insight to Action
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140633.pdf
Attachment 6 - HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan Consultation Summary Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140634.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Presentation from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, Community and Social Services on Housing TO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140988.pdf

Communications

(December 2, 2019) Letter from Councillor Ana Bailão (PH.Main.PH11.5.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99461.pdf
(December 5, 2019) Letter from Allen MacInnis, President, Board of Directors, Church-Isabella Residents' Cooperative (PH.New.PH11.5.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99608.pdf
(December 5, 2019) Letter from Tom Clement, Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (PH.New.PH11.5.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99609.pdf
(December 5, 2019) E-mail from Kate Chung (PH.New.PH11.5.4)
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Dr. Kwame McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Wellesley Institute (PH.New.PH11.5.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99619.pdf
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Brian F. Kelcey (PH.New.PH11.5.6)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99652.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Kenneth Hale, Director of Advocacy and Legal Services, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (PH.New.PH11.5.7)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99661.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Kira Heineck, Executive Lead, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (PH.New.PH11.5.8)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99662.pdf
(December 9, 2019) E-mail from Brian Davis, Executive Director, Houselink Community Homes (PH.New.PH11.5.9)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99663.pdf
(December 9, 2019) Letter from Marva Burnett, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN Canada) (PH.New.PH11.5.10)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99664.pdf
(December 10, 2019) E-mail from Emily Paradis (PH.New.PH11.5.11)
(December 10, 2019) Letter from Alyssa Brierley, Executive Director and General Counsel, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (PH.New.PH11.5.12)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/comm/communicationfile-99623.pdf
(December 10, 2019) Submission from Doris Power (PH.New.PH11.5.13)

Speakers

Elizabeth McIsaac, Maytree
Alyssa Brierley, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
Brian Davis, TAEH Housing Development Working Group/Houselink Community Homes
Michael Rosenberg
Kira Heineck, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH)
Emily Paradis, Right to Housing in Toronto
Kenn Hale, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Denese Gascho, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto
Daniela Mergarten
Ingrid Milford
Doris Power, Living In Place campaign of Older Women’s Network (OWN) and Ontario Disability Coalition and Ontario Autism Coalition
Tristan Laing
Sean Meagher
Melissa Goldstein, Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust
Pablo Escobar, Dixon Hall
Tim Ellis, Etobicoke Lakeshore Community Network
Alejandra Ruiz Vargas, ACORN
Josie Weir, ACORN
Alejandro Gonzalez-Rendon, ACORN
Miguel Avila-Velarde
Helen Chilas, 1501-Woodbine Tenants Group
Bee Lee Soh
Patricia O'Connell

Motions

1a - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report by June 2020 to the Planning and Housing Committee with a detailed implementation plan for the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

2.  City Council  request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report by June 2020 on any additional City staffing resources necessary to support implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Plan, and to be considered as part of the 2021 City budget process.

 

3. City Council request the City Manager, in examining the establishment of a Housing Commissioner role, to consult with human rights experts and other groups and individuals with an interest in the establishment of this position.


1b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council recognize that homelessness in Toronto is a critical issue requiring expedited action by all levels of government.

 

2.  City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments, as part of their 2020 Budgets, to commit to capital and operating funding to support the creation of 1,800 new units of supportive housing annually, in order to reduce homelessness in Toronto.

 

3.  City Council request the City Manager to engage other levels of government in order to establish an intergovernmental table with a mandate to secure increased investment and support from the other levels of government to expedite the City's initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto.

 

4.  City Council request Provincial and Federal representatives to meet with City staff and appropriate stakeholders before January 15, 2020 to develop an expedited action plan and strategy framework that expedites the City’s initiatives to address housing challenges and homelessness in Toronto including:

 

a.  Identifying the unaddressed low-income housing support gaps, including those of mental health and addictions, economic insecurity, long-term health issues and any challenge that may contribute to homelessness in Toronto;

 

b.  Identifying and recommending programs, supports, and services that can be provided on an expedited basis by the appropriate levels of government respective to their jurisdictions but in collaboration with each other to prevent homelessness upstream and provide the current population with accessible options for dignified, stable, secure and supportive housing; and

 

c.  Reporting on rapid re-housing and other coordinated approaches to quickly move people out of shelters and into permanent housing whenever possible and track performance indicators to demonstrate the effectiveness of this response and incorporate what is learned into next steps.

 

5.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Planning and Housing Committee on February 12, 2020 with an update on the progress of discussions with the Provincial and Federal governments on this issue.


1c - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

The Planning and Housing Committee adopt the recommendations from the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee that:

 

1.  City Council endorse an Indigenous set-aside for new affordable housing units, including more deeply affordable housing units.

 

2.  City Council request City staff to consider the presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, as part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

 

3.  City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to report to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee with recommendations on Part 1 above in no later than May 2020.


2 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council adopt the principle that the affordability period for any affordable rental housing built on City land or receiving City funding, subsidy, or incentives shall be permanent, wherever possible.

 

2 .  That Recommendation 5 be amended to read as follows:

 

"5.  City Council direct the City Manager to establish a Housing Commissioner in 2020 and request the City Manager to report to Council by the third quarter of 2020 with options to establish the Commissioner role or function to independently assess implementation of the revised Toronto Housing Charter and the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and ensure that the City, within its legislative authorities, and through implementation of various programs and policies, is taking concrete actions to combat systematic housing discrimination and address systemic hurdles in the housing system."

 

3.  The Planning and Housing Committee direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report directly to City Council on December 17, 2019 with an annual housing target that can be achieved regardless of the participation of other governments.


3 - Motion to Amend Motion moved by Councillor Brad Bradford (Carried)

That part 2 of the motion by Councillor Gord Perks be amended as follows:

 

 "5.  City Council direct the City Manager to establish the role or function of Housing Commissioner in 2020 and request the City Manager to report to Council by the third quarter of 2020 with options for  to establish the Commissioner role  the function to independently assess implementation of the revised Toronto Housing Charter and the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and ensure that the City, within its legislative authorities, and through implementation of various programs and policies, is taking concrete actions to combat systematic housing discrimination and address systemic hurdles in the housing system."


Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Ana Bailão (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Dec-10-2019

Result: Carried Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 4 Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão (Chair), Brad Bradford, Gord Perks, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 2 Members that were absent are Paula Fletcher, Jaye Robinson

5a - Indigenous Set-Aside of Affordable Housing Units

Origin
(November 22, 2019) Letter from the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee
Summary

The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee on November 22, 2019, considered a presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle on Indigenous Set-Aside of Affordable Housing Units.

Background Information
(November 22, 2019) Letter from the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee on Indigenous Set-Aside of Affordable Housing Units
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140654.pdf
Presentation from Randy J. Pitt, Reaching Home Manager, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, as part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-140664.pdf
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council