Item - 2022.GL31.18

The General Government and Licensing Committee deferred consideration of the item until its July 4, 2022 meeting.

On October 1 and 4, 2021, City Council received a report on the eligibility criteria and financial implications of providing a one-time no-fault grant for residential property owners and/or tenants in the Rockcliffe neighbourhood of Ward 5, York South-Weston, and other similarly impacted areas, that experienced basement flooding. The report recommended that the City Council not proceed with a no-fault grant program, and noted practical and equity challenges.  The report also highlighted that the City is not legally obligated to provide a no-fault grant program to residents, and that such a program would not reduce future risk of flooding.

City Council requested this supplementary report outlining the criteria, funding, funding sources and an implementation plan to provide a no-fault grant for residents that experienced basement flooding in the Rockcliffe area since 2000, until planned and approved improvements are made to the infrastructure in the area. Reporting on comparable costs and implementation options to implement a similar grant program through other areas in the City that are flood prone was also requested.

While it remains the recommendation that City Council not proceed with the no-fault grant, this report provides considerations on implementation options for appropriate properties in the Rockcliffe area or within Special Policy Areas identified in the Official Plan. The report outlines eligibility criteria and program details including a discussion of how the Ombudsman enquiry into basement flooding and sewer backup claims could be referenced in the development of a grant program. It is also recommends that a no-fault grant program not be applied retroactively. This report provides information on options not recommended by staff for a no-fault grant program moving forward.

Council requested that this report identify alternative funding sources to fund a no-fault grant program other than the water rate. Considering that the damages caused by rain events in areas susceptible to flooding are not always or exclusively attributed to the performance of the sewer system, and that the grant payment would not contribute to any alleviation of future flooding events, it would be appropriate that such a program be funded from the tax base.