Item - 2020.HL13.5

The Board of Health:

1.  Expressed its support for the themes reflected in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

2.  Urged the federal and provincial governments to increase funding to community-based organizations and health care providers to support tenants with substance use and/or mental health issues through the following services: case management, peer support, harm reduction (including overdose prevention and response), crisis support, withdrawal management and other drug treatment, mental health services, and supports for daily living.

3.  Urged the federal and provincial governments to provide capital and ongoing operating funding to support the creation and delivery of 18,000 supportive housing units in the City of Toronto over the next 10 years.

4.   Requested the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to report to the Board of Health at its meeting on April 20, 2020 with details on the City of Toronto's plan to create 600 new supportive housing units every year, starting in 2020.

5.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to provide ongoing consultation and feedback during the implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and the updated Housing Stability Service Planning Framework.

6.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to forward the report (December 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, for consideration in the implementation of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

7.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to forward the report (December 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, for consideration as part of the updated Housing Stability Service Planning Framework.

Housing is an important determinant of health that has complex and multi-faceted relationships to health and health equity. At the intersection of health and housing, several populations are particularly at risk, including seniors and people with mental health and/or substance use issues. Supportive housing that matches housing need with the service needs of vulnerable subgroups is a key consideration in addressing Toronto's housing challenges. For example, integrating a harm reduction approach across housing types is a critical component of the response to the opioid crisis. Making progress requires a cooperative, multi-sectoral approach and investments from all levels of government.

Toronto Public Health strongly supports the efforts of the City of Toronto's Housing Secretariat to work across sectors and City divisions and agencies to provide a coordinated response to the range of housing needs for Toronto residents, as outlined in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. This report responds to direction from the Board of Health and summarizes approaches from Toronto and other jurisdictions with a focus on actions that can support the health needs of vulnerable Toronto residents. Recommendations reinforce the need for federal and provincial funding to allow the City of Toronto to act on its commitment to increasing housing options for Torontonians, in particular, housing for vulnerable populations.