Item - 2021.EC25.5

Tracking Status

EC25.5 - Results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on November 9, 10 and 12, 2021, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council adopt the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan in Attachment 2 to the report (October 6, 2021) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.

 

2.  City Council thank all of the community partners, frontline staff and stakeholders who provided input into the development of the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan, the City of Toronto and community provider staff who led the implementation of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and the more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness who participated in the 2021 Street Needs Assessment survey and shared what services they need to find and maintain housing.

  

3.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to approve and implement all ongoing enhancement and development of the Shelter Management Information System and its alternative iterations required to transform the system into a Homelessness Management Information System, including enhanced flow of information across programs with all of the necessary security, privacy and client consent practices in place.

 

4.  City Council reiterate its requests to the Federal and Provincial Governments to:

 

a.  continue to provide funding to deliver the COVID-19 response for people experiencing homelessness until such time as Ontario Ministry of Health guidance related to physical distancing in congregate living settings changes and allow for the implementation of the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan while ensuring stabilization of the homelessness service system through to recovery;

 

b.  provide ongoing and sustainable funding to ensure that appropriate primary health care, harm reduction, overdose prevention and mental health case management services are available to adequately support individuals who are homeless and implement the shelter health services framework to provide a coordinated and consistent approach to health services across the shelter system; and

 

c.  recognize that permanent solutions to ending chronic homelessness are not possible without increased, long-term funding commitments and provide the capital and ongoing operating funding needed to meet the City of Toronto's supportive housing targets of 1,800 new supportive housing units every year for 10 years.

 

5. City Council reiterate its requests for the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide new, enhanced and accelerated investments and policy tools to help deliver the City of Toronto's HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan by 2030.

 

6. City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide additional investments to fully fund the City of Toronto's 24-month COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Recovery Response Plan, as outlined in Item 2020.PH16.8, headed "Addressing Housing and Homelessness Issues in Toronto through Intergovernmental Partnerships", including:

 

a.  capital funding to create the remaining 517 new supportive homes; and

 

b.  $48 million in annual ongoing operating funding beginning in 2022 to ensure the homes created result in 2,000 new supportive housing opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized individuals, including people experiencing homelessness.

 

7. City Council request the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to approve all Rapid Housing Initiative Phase Two applications in Toronto currently being considered.

 

8. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to report back to the January 26, 2022 meeting of the Executive Committee with an estimated breakdown of the costs necessary to ensure that everyone living in shelters, hotel shelters and 24-hour respite centres could receive a one-year rental subsidy to enable independent living and a cost analysis for additional funding needed for housing supports for individuals who are unable to live independently, affirming housing as a human right and providing a housing-first approach to end homelessness.


9. City Council direct the City Manager to make a formal request to the Federal and Provincial Governments for the total of the estimated amounts in Part 8 above and to report back to the first regular Budget Committee meeting of 2022 on any progress from that funding request.

Background Information (Committee)

(October 6, 2021) Report from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration on Results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171728.pdf
Attachment 1 - 2021 Street Needs Assessment Results Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171729.pdf
Attachment 2 - Homelessness Solutions Service Plan (October 2021)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171730.pdf
Attachment 3 - Service Plan Engagement Summary Report: What We Heard (June 2021)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171731.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Presentation from the Acting General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and the Director, Service Planning and Integrity, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration on Homelessness Service System Update
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-172278.pdf

Background Information (City Council)

(November 8, 2021) Supplementary report from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat on Federal and Provincial Investments in Affordable and Supportive Housing (EC25.5a)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-173046.pdf

Communications (Committee)

(October 21, 2021) Submission from Kira Heineck, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137653.pdf
(October 20, 2021) Submission from Dr. A.J. Withers, Adjunct Faculty, Critical Disability Studies, York University (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137686.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Harmy Mendoza, Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137694.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Doug Johnson Hatlem, Sanctuary Toronto (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137708.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Greg Cook (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137744.pdf

Communications (City Council)

(November 9, 2021) Letter from Ruth Crammond, Vice President, Community Investment and Development, United Way Greater Toronto (CC.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/comm/communicationfile-138547.pdf
(November 10, 2021) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (CC.New)
(November 8, 2021) Letter from Jelena Trajkovic (CC.New)
(November 9, 2021) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (CC.New)

Motions (City Council)

1a - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing, to report back to the January 2022 meeting of the Executive Committee with an estimated breakdown of the costs necessary to ensure everyone living in shelter, hotel shelter and 24-hour respite centre could receive a one-year rental subsidy to enable independent living, and cost analysis for additional funding needed for housing supports for individuals who are unable to live independently, affirming housing as a human right and providing a housing-first approach to end homelessness.

 

2. City Council direct the City Manager to make a formal request to the Federal and Provincial Governments for the total of the estimated amounts, and to report back to the first regular Budget Committee meeting of 2022 on any progress coming from that funding request.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-12-2021 11:03 AM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EC25.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 1a
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, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, 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, Michael Ford

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-12-2021 11:05 AM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EC25.5 - Wong-Tam - motion 1a - 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, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, 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 Michael Ford

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 1a by Councillor Wong-Tam.


1b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Carried)

That City Council adopt the following recommendations in the supplementary report (November 8, 2021) from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat [EC25.5a]: 

 

1. City Council request the federal and provincial governments to provide additional investments to fully fund the City of Toronto's 24-month COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Recovery Response Plan outlined in Item PH16.8 - "Addressing Housing and Homelessness Issues in Toronto through Intergovernmental Partnerships", including:

 

a. capital funding to create the remaining 517 new supportive homes; and

 

b. $48 million in annual ongoing operating funding beginning in 2022 to ensure the homes created result in 2,000 new supportive housing opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized individuals, including people experiencing homelessness.

 

2.  City Council request the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to approve all Rapid Housing Initiative Phase Two applications in Toronto currently being considered.

 

3. City Council re-iterate its requests for the federal and provincial governments to provide new, enhanced and accelerated investments and policy tools to help deliver the City's HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan by 2030.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-12-2021 11:07 AM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EC25.5 - Wong-Tam, motion 1b
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, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, 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 Michael Ford

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-12-2021 11:08 AM

Result: Carried Majority Required - EC25.5 - Adopt the Item as amended
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, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, 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 Michael Ford

Point of Order by Councillor Mark Grimes

Councillor Grimes, on a Point of Order, stated would like to know if he could ask a question of the Mayor.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata ruled that Mayor Tory had asked questions of staff on the item but had not yet spoken on the item.


Point of Order by Councillor Gord Perks

Councillor Perks, on a Point of Order, stated he felt that the Speaker was rushing Members of Council during debate and that if the volume of business on the agenda was becoming too much to handle that Council should be presented with an amended meeting schedule. Councillor Perks further stated that the Council Procedures provide for Members to participate.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata ruled that she was not asking Members to not participate in the debate and that she had only reminded Members that the meeting must recess by 3:30 p.m.


Point of Order by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

Councillor Wong-Tam, on a Point of Privilege, stated that she had misstated an address during her earlier remarks and that she had intended to refer to residents displaced from 280 Wellesley Street and not 650 Parliament Street.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata accepted the Point of Privilege and thanked Councillor Wong-Tam for the correction.

EC25.5 - Results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

Committee Recommendations

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

 

1.  City Council adopt the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan in Attachment 2 to the report (October 6, 2021) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.

 

2.  City Council thank all of the community partners, frontline staff and stakeholders who provided input into the development of the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan, the City of Toronto and community provider staff who led the implementation of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and the more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness who participated in the 2021 Street Needs Assessment survey and shared what services they need to find and maintain housing.

 

3.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to approve and implement all ongoing enhancement and development of the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS) and its alternative iterations required to transform the system into a Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), including enhanced flow of information across programs with all of the necessary security, privacy and client consent practices in place.

 

4.  City Council reiterate its requests to the Federal and Provincial Governments to:

 

a.  continue to provide funding to deliver the COVID-19 response for people experiencing homelessness until such time as Ontario Ministry of Health guidance related to physical distancing in congregate living settings changes and allow for the implementation of the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan while ensuring stabilization of the homelessness service system through to recovery;

 

b.  provide ongoing and sustainable funding to ensure that appropriate primary health care, harm reduction, overdose prevention and mental health case management services are available to adequately support individuals who are homeless and implement the shelter health services framework to provide a coordinated and consistent approach to health services across the shelter system; and

 

c.  recognize that permanent solutions to ending chronic homelessness are not possible without increased, long-term funding commitments and provide the capital and ongoing operating funding needed to meet the City of Toronto's supportive housing targets of 1,800 new supportive housing units every year for 10 years.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Economic and Community Development Committee considered Items EC25.5 and EC25.6 together.

 

The Acting General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and the Director, Service Planning and Integrity, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration gave a presentation on Homelessness Service System Update.

 

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

 

1.  Requested the City Manager, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to report directly to the November 9 and 10, 2021 meeting of City Council on the following:

 

a.  an update on capital and operating funding contributions from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario toward:


1.  the 24-month plan approved by City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020 to deliver 3,000 affordable rental and supportive homes by the end of 2022; and

 

2.  the targets in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to create 18,000 new supportive housing opportunities by 2030 in order to functionally end chronic homelessness in Toronto; and

 

b.  opportunities to accelerate or expand City Council's targets for building affordable housing to functionally end chronic homelessness in Toronto as a result of COVID-19, evictions, housing unaffordability and other upstream contributors to homelessness.

Origin

(October 6, 2021) Report from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration

Summary

This report provides an update on the results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment (SNA), and seeks Council approval of the attached Homelessness Solutions Service Plan for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA).

 

The SNA, conducted in April 2021 for the fifth time in Toronto, is a needs assessment survey and point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto led by SSHA, in collaboration with community partners in the homelessness sector. The 2021 results provide critical data needed to understand the impact of the pandemic on homelessness, and to understand broader service needs of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The SNA also gives people experiencing homelessness a voice in what services would help them get housing and the supports they need to end their homelessness.


Based on the results of the SNA, as well as extensive engagement and feedback with frontline staff, service providers, sector partners and people with lived experience of homelessness, the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan identifies the implementation priorities to guide SSHA and our partners in the homelessness service system in Toronto over the next three years. The plan supports our ongoing efforts to build and strengthen a responsive homelessness service delivery system which uses an integrated and person-centred approach to address homelessness.

 

These priorities will advance the outcomes of ensuring people experiencing homelessness in Toronto have access to safe, high quality emergency shelter, and are provided housing-focused supports that ensure homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring.

 

Homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be solved by any one organization or sector. While the Service Plan identifies the actions related to the homelessness service system, it also highlights the importance of working together. Effective delivery of the housing and homelessness system will require continued close collaboration between SSHA and the Housing Secretariat, other interdivisional partners, as well as ongoing engagement and partnership with community providers, other service sectors, other orders of government and people with lived experience of homelessness, towards our shared goal of ending chronic homelessness in Toronto.

Background Information

(October 6, 2021) Report from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration on Results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171728.pdf
Attachment 1 - 2021 Street Needs Assessment Results Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171729.pdf
Attachment 2 - Homelessness Solutions Service Plan (October 2021)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171730.pdf
Attachment 3 - Service Plan Engagement Summary Report: What We Heard (June 2021)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-171731.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Presentation from the Acting General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and the Director, Service Planning and Integrity, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration on Homelessness Service System Update
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-172278.pdf

Communications

(October 21, 2021) Submission from Kira Heineck, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137653.pdf
(October 20, 2021) Submission from Dr. A.J. Withers, Adjunct Faculty, Critical Disability Studies, York University (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137686.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Harmy Mendoza, Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137694.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Doug Johnson Hatlem, Sanctuary Toronto (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137708.pdf
(October 21, 2021) Submission from Greg Cook (EC.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ec/comm/communicationfile-137744.pdf

Speakers

Kira Heineck, Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness
Harmy Mendoza, WomanACT
Dr. A.J. Withers, Adjunct Faculty, Critical Disability Studies, York University
Doug Johnson Hatlem, Sanctuary Toronto
Greg Cook, Shelter Housing and Justice Network
Jean Stevenson
Councillor Paul Ainslie

Motions

Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That:

 

1.  The Economic and Community Development Committee request the City Manager, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to report directly to the November 9 and 10, 2021 meeting of City Council on the following:

 

a.  an update on capital and operating funding contributions from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario toward:


1.  the 24-month plan approved by City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020 to deliver 3,000 affordable rental and supportive homes by the end of 2022; and

 

2.  the targets in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan to create 18,000 new supportive housing opportunities by 2030 in order to functionally end chronic homelessness in Toronto; and

 

b.  opportunities to accelerate or expand City Council's targets for building affordable housing to functionally end chronic homelessness in Toronto as a result of COVID-19, evictions, housing unaffordability and other upstream contributors to homelessness.


Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Michael Thompson (Carried)
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council