Item - 2023.DM5.2

City Council on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023, adopted the following:

1. City Council authorize Ombudsman Toronto to establish a dedicated unit within the office that will focus on investigations and reports related to systemic housing discrimination and systemic hurdles in the City of Toronto’s housing planning and service delivery roles.

The unit will report to the Ombudsman and be led by a Deputy Ombudsman, Housing, with appropriate staff. Ombudsman Toronto will report to Council on investigations undertaken by the unit and will make public related findings and recommendations. In addition, Ombudsman Toronto will report back to Council on all housing-related complaints handled by the unit, as part of its annual reporting to Council.

2. City Council direct the Ombudsman to develop a job description reflecting the appropriate duties and responsibilities of Deputy Ombudsman, Housing in line with the Role of a Housing Commissioner on page 32 of Attachment 1 to 2022.EX34.7, Headed "Review and Considerations for a Housing Commissioner Role or Function."

3. City Council direct the Ombudsman to ensure the work of the Deputy Ombudsman, Housing would have a strong focus on systemic reviews as well as systemic investigations.
 

4. City Council request the Ombudsman to create a hiring process for the role that takes full advantage of internal and external expertise related to the Right to Housing.

5. City Council request the City Clerk to advise Council on any procedural changes that would allow the Deputy Ombudsman, Housing to report directly to Council.