Item - 2021.PH25.21

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat print 750 hard copies of the Eviction Prevention Tool Kit and distribute ten each to every City Councillor's office and the offices of all Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament in Toronto and follow-up with each of these offices to provide a URL where the Tool Kit will be available online so those offices can download and print the latest version themselves.

At its meeting on June 14, 2021, the Subcommittee on the Protection of Affordable Rental Housing considered Item RH5.1, a report (May 31, 2021) from the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat on Tenant Advisory Committee Updates and 2021-2022 Work Plan.

To support delivery of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan with specific focus on helping renters, the City's Protection of Affordable Rental Housing Advisory Group was established by the Planning and Housing Committee in December 2019 for staggered two-year terms.

On December 8, 2020, through Item PH19.8, the Planning and Housing Committee adopted a new mandate and terms of reference to support the creation of a Tenant Advisory Committee. The Committee also directed the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to issue a call for members by the end of the fourth quarter of 2020. Following the call for members, the new Tenant Advisory Committee was officially created in March 2021.

This report provides an update on the work of the newly created Tenant Advisory Committee ("TAC"). As directed by the Planning and Housing Committee, TAC will work with City staff to develop annual work plans to advance the protection of affordable rental housing and tenancies. TAC will also provide advice and feedback on policy and program development aimed at preserving affordable housing in Toronto. Additionally, it will support City divisions involved in the development of renter-related services, policies, programs and consultations.

TAC has already begun its work to support City policies, programs and actions. This report outlines priorities identified by TAC and its proposed 2021-2022 work plan. Key areas of focus include the preservation of affordable housing, tenant rights, and ensuring well-maintained homes for renters. Specific projects proposed will focus on: renovictions; small site acquisitions; the creation of tenant hubs; development of proactive tenant communications; and testing and providing feedback on options for a RentSafeTO updated evaluation tool and interactive website.