Item - 2021.CC34.1

That City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the September 30 and October 1, 2021 meeting of City Council on the feasibility of the following improvements to shelter operations:

a.  a review of existing advisory groups to Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and establish an advisory committee of current and past shelter clients to provide advice to improve shelter operations for clients;

b.  a review of existing shelter and respite standards and operational practices to further enhance opportunities to provide a more welcoming environment, including, but not limited to, allowing food in room; 

c. a review of policies that restrict shelter access, including service restrictions, for reasons that are not direct threats to the health and safety of clients or staff, provide support to help clients meet shelter expectations, and ensure that restrictions are reviewed centrally to ensure transparency and accountability;

d. that clients are able to meet with a housing and health care worker within the first week of arrival to understand their needs and develop a housing and health care plan;

e. independent audits of shelter operations to ensure the city’s shelter and respite policies are followed and that clients are regularly surveyed regarding their access to housing and health supports, and for feedback upon discharge;

f.  to ensure that clients are able to sleep and have privacy by reviewing and providing guidance on how to conduct “bed-checks” in a manner that respects client dignity and privacy while ensuring effective shelter operations;

g. to provide supports to ensure nutritious meals are available for clients; and

h. to affirm and ensure that the City’s policy to not permit strangers to be placed in a shared room together in shelter hotels and that clients have eligible possessions put in storage is adhered to and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

That:

1.  City Council reiterate its commitment to taking a housing first and human rights approach to housing those experiencing homelessness and ensuring that City staff develop and implement a response consistent with the findings of the Faulkner Inquest, specifically as it relates to the health and safety of those currently living in encampments.

2.  City Council direct the City Manager to develop a strategy, in consultation with relevant staff, organizations serving the homeless population and focused on the right to housing and, most importantly, residents with lived experience of homelessness, in order to engage in a collaborative approach to providing safe indoor shelter and housing opportunities for residents of encampments that ensures the safety and dignity of encampment residents and frontline staff.

3.  City Council request the City Manager to consider a third-party facilitator familiar with housing and homelessness to support the process in Recommendation 2 above.

4.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the September 21, 2021 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee on the progress towards establishing a Housing Commissioner for the City of Toronto, as outlined in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.

Part 2 of motion 2 by Councillor Layton did not carry.

Part 3 of motion 2 by Councillor Layton was ruled redundant as Part 2 did not carry.

Part 4 of motion 2 by Councillor Layton was ruled out of order.

That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider the vote on Part 1 of motion 2 by Councillor Layton.

That:

1.  City Council direct staff to work with encampment residents to develop and activate individual and culturally appropriate housing plans on an accelerated basis regardless of whether an encampment resident accepts a placement in an “indoor space”.

2.  City Council direct staff to survey supportive housing agencies in Toronto to determine whether any supportive housing residents within their dedicated supportive housing buildings are no longer in need of supports and, with the appropriate housing benefit, would be interested in moving to other rental accommodation, thereby freeing up supportive housing for individuals on the waiting list or in need of supportive housing such as those in encampments.

3.  City Council direct staff to report to the September 21, 2021 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee on the potential new supportive housing opportunities by providing affordable housing pathways for residents in existing supportive housing and new housing opportunities for residents in need of supportive housing.

That City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to distribute, whenever possible, water to encampment residents and rotate the HTO To Go water trailers to various parks to ensure that free-of-charge tap water is safely available to all park visitors.

That City Council adopt a goal of zero encampments.

That City Council adopt a goal of ending chronic homelessness.

That City Council direct the City Manager to review the emergency shelter and COVID-response hotel program to ensure it is as hospitable as possible for homeless residents, minimizes denial of service and creates a sense of community while maintaining Infection Prevention and Control protocols to protect against COVID outbreaks.

Councillor Perks, on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor Cressy had remarked that he attempted to amend motion 5 by Councillor Holyday but was advised by the Clerk that by substituting the word "encampments" with the word "homelessness" it would be out of order.  Councillor Perks further stated that he wanted to confirm that changing that word would be contrary to Councillor Holyday's amendment.

Councillor Holyday, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to know if both propositions can be voted on.

Councillor Thompson, on a Point of Order, stated that his vote screen shows Part 1 of motion 2 but Council is voting on Part 2.

Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, on a Point of Order, asked if Part 3 of motion 2 by Councillor Layton was redundant.