Item - 2023.PH2.8

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council direct the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors to ensure that:

a. the terms of reference for the Tenant Advisory Committee be developed in collaboration with the Tenant Advisory Committee and the City with consideration of the recent efforts and approach by Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation in establishing its Senior Tenant Advisory Committee;

b. an additional round of recruitment be completed for the Tenant Advisory Committee in partnership with the City, which targets tenants who are not currently involved in Toronto Community Housing Corporation's tenant engagement system, and that meetings with the new and current Committee members begin early in the second quarter of 2023; and

c. Toronto Community Housing Corporation appoint a current tenant director to the Tenant Advisory Committee to liaise between the Tenant Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors;

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to ensure that City staff provide support to the Tenant Advisory Committee, to assist with both the development of the terms of reference of the Tenant Advisory Committee and the recruitment of new members.

3. City Council request that the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, jointly co-chair the Tenant Advisory Committee on a transitional basis to provide leadership and establish an effective Committee which will provide the basis for stronger voices from tenants within Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

4. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to report back in the first quarter of 2024 on the progress of the new Tenant Advisory Committee, including the Terms of Reference that were developed.

On December 14, 2022, City Council adopted Member Motion 2.16, Ensuring a Successful Tenant Advisory Committee at Toronto Community Housing Corporation, which directed the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, to have City staff, through the Tenants First initiative, review the proposal for a new Tenant Advisory Committee including:

• Terms of Reference;
• recruitment and confirmation of members;
• role of tenant directors in a Tenant Advisory Committee; and
• role of the City in a Tenant Advisory Committee

Council directed City staff to report back on the review and recommendations to the February 28, 2023 meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee.

As directed, this report provides recommended direction and advice for Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and the City of Toronto to ensure that the Tenant Advisory Committee is successful and that tenants are fully engaged in the process to refresh the broader Toronto Community Housing Corporation tenant engagement system. Working collaboratively, these efforts will support improved communication and engagement between Toronto Community Housing Corporation staff and tenants.

To provide leadership and ensure success in establishing the Tenant Advisory Committee and its Terms of Reference, it is also recommended that the Committee be supported by City staff and co-chaired by the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation on a transitional basis.