Item - 2023.CC10.2

City Council on September 6, 2023, adopted the following:

1. City Council request the Federal Government to fund and implement a regional response in municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and beyond that provide adequate shelter and support for refugee claimants, including:

a. the full reimbursements to the City of Toronto for the estimated $200 million in expected 2023 costs to support the refugee claimants in Toronto's shelter system, inclusive of the $97 million in funding already announced through the Interim Housing Assistance Program;

b. an ongoing commitment of Interim Housing Assistance Program funding to address the estimated $250 million annual costs for refugees in 2024 and commit to future funding until the demand for shelter returns to sustainable levels;

c. increase the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit allocations in municipalities across Ontario to allow refugee claimants to improve access to housing throughout the province, including $6.67 million to Toronto and a prorated amount to other municipalities;

d. fund the Canadian Red Cross and Toronto-based representatives of the Ontario Coalition for Refugee Claimants to establish and manage a reception centre for refugee claimants who arrive in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area;

e. secure and fund the operation of all-season mobile health units to create capacity for up to 200 spaces; and

f. identify and purchase/retrofit existing hotels and other suitable buildings to provide accommodation to refugees.

2. City Council:

a. first request the Federal Government to respond by September 18, 2023, that it will provide the funding to reimburse up to $750,000 to churches or community organizations; and

b. should the Federal Government fail to provide the funding in part a. above, City Council increase the 2023 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration by $0.750 million gross and $0 net fully funded by a one-time draw from the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to:

i. provide further compensation of up to $750,000 to churches or community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration for expenses incurred towards providing temporary shelter to refugee claimants; and

ii. enter into agreements with the churches and community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to distribute the compensation on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration.

3. City Council request the City Manager to publish regular data on shelter client origin on the City's webpage, including the numbers of refugees, and those that have recently arrived from places outside Toronto in Canada or internationally, and those that cannot be determined.