Item - 2024.HS3.1

The Housing Rights Advisory Committee:

1. Adopted the Housing Rights Advisory Committee Priorities Framework, included as Attachment B to this report,

2. Established four working groups comprised of up to five committee members to align with the components outlined in the Housing Rights Advisory Committee Priorities Framework; and

3. Invited the Federal Housing Advocate to the Housing Rights Advisory Committee’s first meeting in 2025.

The Chair provided an update on the activities of the working groups.

Following the direction of Item HS2.4 - Overview and Discussion of Housing Rights Advisory Committee Framework for Priority Setting, three working groups were established and convened over the course of July and August. The meetings had the same agenda in order to have a consistent consultation that included all committee members. The agenda included the following: 

• Review and clarify the proposed Priorities Framework;
• Review the City of Toronto pipeline of key housing reports and emerging issues;
• Discuss the Housing Rights Advisory Committee structure and working groups: process and focus; and,
• Consider the application of a human rights based approach to City items like the Shelter Safety Report Review

The minutes of the working group meetings are included as Attachment A to this report. Attachment B to this report is the Housing Rights Advisory Committee Priorities Framework, with the suggested edits from the working group meetings.

The proposed new working groups will align with the following components outlined in the Housing Rights Advisory Committee Priorities Framework: 

• Supporting people who are unhoused
• Access to housing
• Maintaining housing
• Increasing the right supply

Each working group will provide in-depth review of priority items identified by the Committee and support the development of recommendations for consideration by the Housing Rights Advisory Committee.