Item - 2019.PH3.6

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1.  Directed the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to make best efforts to bring forward the follow-up supportive housing report to the May 28, 2019 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee.

This report is in response to City Council’s direction on January 30, 2019 that the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services report on options for an aggressive supportive and transitional housing build plan in Toronto.

On February 15, 2019, the Affordable Housing Office (AHO) and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) hosted an initial meeting of supportive and transitional housing providers to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector.  A cross-section of 19 agencies from the supportive and transitional housing sector participated in the meeting representing a range of clients and needs. 

The initial discussion resulted in a number of concrete suggestions on addressing the urgent need for supportive housing for homeless and vulnerable residents.  There was universal agreement that there were fewer and fewer pathways from homelessness to housing. 

The participants recommended strong collaboration among City divisions in protecting existing housing opportunities and creating more housing.  A follow-up meeting is being scheduled to consider what can be done to leverage existing programs and activate any resources that may arise from the upcoming federal and provincial budgets.

City staff will report to the Planning and Housing Committee on these matters in July 2019.  The participants also expressed a strong interest in participating in the City’s public consultations on the development of the City’s new Housing Plan 2020-2030.