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Homelessness and Housing Research & Reports
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
Housing Opportunities Toronto: An Affordable Housing Action Plan
Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) is the City of Toronto’s 10 year affordable housing plan. The plan contains 67 actions to meet the housing needs of all Toronto’s residents, contained within eight strategic themes. HOT is a roadmap to steer the work and investment decisions of the City in partnership with federal and provincial governments, as well as the public and private housing sectors over the next decade.
Final Report on Adequate Housing by Miloon Kothari, UN Special Rapporteur, 2009
At the invitation of the Canadian Government, the UN Special Rapporteur toured Canada from October 9-22, 2007. His report focuses on four areas: homelessness; women and their right to adequate housing; Aboriginal populations; adequate housing and the possible impact of the 2010 Olympic Games on the right to adequate housing in Vancouver. |
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Caring for Toronto Residents Displaced as a Result of Neighbourhood Emergencies: Review of Recent Events and Proposed Strategies March 2010
The purpose of this report is to review the response provided during the neighbourhoodlevel emergencies where evacuation was required that have arisen over the past two years, reflect on lessons learned, and based on these experiences propose policies and financial strategies to guide the services provided to residents displaced as a result of any future emergency.
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HOSTELS (SHELTERS) |
Funding
2012 Per Diem Rates for the Purchase of Service Shelter System
This report provides recommendations on the 2012 Per Diem rates for the purchase of service (POS) shelter system and funding levels for other related operating contracts.
2011 Per Diem Rates for the Purchase of Service Shelter System
Recommendations on the 2011 Per Diem rates for the purchase of
service (POS) shelter system and funding levels for other related operating contracts. All
rates remain unchanged from 2010.
2010 Per Diem Rates for the Purchase of Service Shelter System and Results of the Review of the Per Diem Funding Model (staff report)
Recommendations on the 2010 Bed Capacities and Per Diem rates for purchase of service shelters and funding levels for other operating contracts as well as the Youth Shelter Interagency Network report; the Hostel Services Funding Model Review; and a shelter system update. Ten appendices accompany this report.
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Shelter Standards
Quality Assurance Review of Shelters, July 2005 (staff report)
Information on Quality Assurance and the results of the Quality Assurance Review of shelters, phase 1.
Toronto Shelter Standards, 2003
To ensure that shelter services are provided in a appropriate and respectful manner, the City has developed Shelter Standards to provide shelter operators and residents with a clear set of guidelines for providing shelter services in Toronto. All emergency and transitional shelters, funded or directly operated by the City of Toronto, are required to adhere to the Shelter Standards.
Complaints Criteria, 2005-14
Hostel Services has a complaints management system with a dedicated staff person responsible for initially investigating and/or managing all complaints that Hostel Services receives. For more information please email the Client Services Supervisor or call 416-392-8741.
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Occupancy Information
For occupancy information, please see
Appendix C: 2010 vs. 2011 Occupancy Information, 2012 Per Diem Rates for the Purchase of Service Shelter System
Appendix C: 2008 vs. 2009 Occupancy Information and
Appendix D: Total Number of Unique Individuals Using the Shelter System from 2000-2008 of the
2010 Per Diem Rates for the Purchase of Service Shelter System and Results of the Review of the Per Diem Funding Model (staff report)
Seaton House
Request for Authority to Negotiate a Public Interest
Partnership for Redevelopment of the Seaton House
Shelter and Revitalization of the George Street
Neighbourhood
This report recommends that Council authorize staff to negotiate with Spike Capital Corporation, Kearns Mancini Architects and others with interests in the adjacent privately owned properties to the south (collectively, “Spike/KMAI”) to develop a non-binding proposal for redevelopment of the City-owned property at 339 George St, currently the site of the Seaton House shelter, together with the adjacent privately-owned properties to the south, and report back to Committee and Council for approval.
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HOMELESSNESS |
Funding
2012 Funding Allocations Report (staff report)
This Staff Report requests approval for the allocation of a portion of the funds from the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program (CHPP). CHPP is a funded entirely by
the provincial Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS). It is made available to the City of Toronto to support agencies that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness improve their living conditions, maintain health and safety and move toward independence.
2011 Funding Allocations Report (staff report)
This report provides information on funding to programs in the Street Outreach, Housing Help Outside of Shelters, Housing Help Within Shelters, Supports to Daily Living, and Drop-In Services sectors, the Health and Safety Fund and Appeals. Allocations recommended in this report are funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services - Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program (CHPP)
2010 Funding Allocations Report (staff report)
This report provides information on funding for 2010 partnership programs administered by Shelter, Support and Housing Administration including street outreach, housing help services within and outside of shelters, the Supports to Daily Living program, and drop-in services. Below are the funding allocations reports for 2009-2010:
New Provincial Rent Bank Agreement for 2009 and Subsequent Years
2010 Homelessness Programs: Daily Living Supports
2010 Homelessness Programs: Drop-in Services
2010 Homelessness Programs: Housing Help Services Outside Shelters
2009
Funding Allocations Report
2009 Funding Allocations from the Toronto Homelessness Initiatives Fund, the Provincial Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program and Rent Bank Fund (staff report)
This report provides information on funding for 2009 partnership programs administered by Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. There are eight appendices that accompany this report.
Street Outreach Programs
From Streets into Homes: A Strategy to Assist Homeless Persons Find Permanent Housing, February 2005 (staff report)
A 79-page report from the Policy and Finance Committee submitted to City Council for approval of the Streets to Homes program.
Cost Savings Analysis of the Enhanced Streets to Homes Program (staff report)
This report provides a cost benefit analysis of the enhanced Streets to Homes (S2H). Program to assess the social costs that are offset by this program. Previous research shows that people housed through S2H are less likely to use costly emergency services such as shelters, ambulance and emergency hospital care, police services and jails.
Enhancing Streets to Homes Service to Address the Needs of People Who Are Street Involved, Involved, Including Those Who Panhandle (staff report)
This report provides findings from a pilot program which aimed to provide a social service response to meet the needs of people who are street involved, including those who panhandle. For more information please see the following appendices:
Appendix A - Streets to Homes Post-Occupancy Survey Summary
Appendix B - Map of Panhandling Locations
Appendix C - Case Studies of Effective Interventions
Appendix D - Helping Homeless People in Toronto Brochure
Appendix E - Programs Used in Other Jurisdictions
Appendix F - Table of Canadian Bylaws Restricting or Prohibiting Panhandling
What Housing First Means for People: Results of 2007 Post-Occupancy Research
This report presents findings from a survey of 88 formerly homeless people housed through Streets to Homes and contributes to the growing literature on the impacts of a Housing First approach to ending homelessness.
It found that homeless people housed directly from the street can keep their housing with the appropriate supports in place. It also has client perspectives on the housing process, the supports they received, and changes to quality of life indicators.
Guide to Services for People who are Homeless 2012
People who are homeless in Toronto can access a comprehensive network of services provided by community agencies working in partnership with the City of Toronto. The 2011 guide provides a brief overview of the year-round services and supports available
Street Needs Assessment
2009 Street Needs Assessment: Results and Observations
This report outlines the results and key findings of the April 15, 2009 Street Needs Assessment, which provide a better understanding of the service needs of homeless individuals in Toronto. The results are also compared to the findings of the 2006 Street Needs Assessment to determine any changes in the characteristics and service needs of
homeless people since that time.
2009 Street Needs Assessment Results
According to the newly released results from the 2009 Street Needs Assessment, an estimated 400 people were living on Toronto’s streets in 2009, less than half of the 2006 estimate of 818. In total, an estimated 5,086 people were homeless on the night April 15, 2009, slightly up from the 2006 estimate of 5,052.
2006 Street Needs Assessment: Results and Key Findings, June 2006 (staff report)
This report outlines the results and key findings of the April 19, 2006 Street Needs Assessment, which provide a better understanding of the service needs of individuals who were homeless on that night.
Homelessnes Partnering Strategy
City of Toronto Homelessness Partnership Initiative Community Plan 2007-2009
The federal government has been providing funds to help communities address homelessness since 2000, first under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) and, as of April 2007, through the Homelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI). This document outlines how we invested those funds to March 2009. Learn more about the Homelessness Partnering Strategy for 2011-2014
Aboriginal
Toronto Aboriginal Research Project (TARP) 2011
With a sample of over 1,400 individuals, 14 topics studied and seven methodologies utilized, the TARP study provides an extensive picture of the current situation, successes, aspirations, and challenges facing Aboriginal people in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Dealing Effectively with Aboriginal Homelessness in Toronto
The 2006 Street Needs Assessment determined that 16% of all homeless people we encountered that evening identified themselves as Aboriginal. As a result, Toronto City Council required that 20% of all HPI funding (net of administration) be specifically directed to projects that address Aboriginal homelessness.
A consultation process was held with staff from Aboriginal agencies and clients.
This is the final consultation report.
Drop-ins
Toronto Drop-in Network Good Practices Toolkit
This Toolkit, sponsored by the City of Toronto, is based on the collective wisdom of the Toronto Drop-in Network and discussions with drop-in staff and participants. It contains practical strategies, helpful tips, and information designed to help drop-in workers improve or develop new policies and practices.
Collaborating with the Business Sector to End Homelessness in Toronto
This initiative helps non-profit organizations and businesses work together to bring about positive social change, and more specifically, address the issue of homelessness. The manual outlines numerous ways that businesses can support the sector by providing financial support, employment and volunteer opportunities; access to networks of other business people; and expertise in areas such as legal, financial or human relations. They can also shop at social enterprises that employ low-income people.
- Ending Homelessness is Good Business
This is a four-page brochure with some basic information on the benefits of working together that can be used in conjunction with a targeted proposal letter.
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Related Reports
Salvation Army Homelessness Study, May 2009
The tragedy of poverty is widespread and demands action. In 2008, The Salvation Army surveyed hundreds of
men facing extreme poverty and using the Army's shelter services. They were asked about their
lives, their needs and their experiences. By providing this information, The Army wants to
educate Canadians on the root causes of homelessness and severe poverty.
BC Auditor General Report 16 - Homelessness: Clear Focus Needed, March 2009
Despite establishing many best practice strategies and programs, the BC government has not been able to reduc homelessness. Clear goals and objectives for homelessness and adequate accountability for results remain outstanding. A lack of adequate information about homelessness and what services are currently available hampers effective decision‑making.
Lost in the Shuffle: The Impact of Homelessness on Children’s Education In Toronto-Phase III, September 2007
The Kid Builders Research Project, examined the educational needs of homeless children living in Toronto and the links between homelessness and school success. It focused on elementary schools and children aged six to 12, inclusive and is the first major study to investigate the education of homeless children in Canada. |
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MENTAL HEALTH |
Mental Health Commission of Canada, April 2009 (staff report)
This report provides information on the four-year, $22.5 million research demonstration project the City of Toronto was selected to do for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. In partnership with the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital (CRICH), the City of Toronto
will examine the benefits of certain service models on the health and well-being of mentally ill homeless people.
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office 25th Anniversary Report, May 2008
This anniversary report celebrates a quarter century of mental health advocacy and rights protection, including a historical, current and future look at the mental health system. |
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SOCIAL HOUSING
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Putting People First: Transforming Toronto Community Housing, Special Housing Workgroup Report, Sept. 17, 2012
What Toronto Community Housing (THC) does and how it does it makes a significant
difference to Toronto, its neighbourhoods, its people and its residents.
Residents are at the heart of TCH's responsibility. There are some 164,000 residents
who make their homes in rental housing provided by TCH. TCH residents come from all walks of life and include children, families, seniors and
people with special housing needs. They live in homes mixed throughout Toronto in
2,200 buildings.
Lawrence Heights Revitalizations - Corporate Implementation Actions and Social Development Plan June 2010 (staff report)
In addition to Toronto’s planning role, City Council has three interests to consider in addressing TCHC’s intention to redevelop Lawrence Heights – that of TCHC shareholder, Service Manager under the Social Housing Reform Act (SHRA) and Municipal Government. This report provides a consolidated set of actions required by the City of Toronto. It also includes an implementation structure to ensure corporate coordination across the City and a coordinated access point for TCHC on this project.
Report on the Eviction of Al Gosling and the Eviction Prevention Policy of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (LeSage Report) May 2010
In October 2009 Toronto Community Housing Corporation asked the Honourable Patrick LeSage to conduct a review and prepare a report on the circumstances surrounding the eviction and subsequent death of Al Gosling and their Eviction Prevention Policy and practices, particularly as they relate to ‘vulnerable’ tenants.
Toronto Community Housing - LeSage Review Implementation Plan August 2010
Toronto Community Housing Corporation 2010-2012 Community Management Plan May 2010 (staff report)
The City’s Shareholder Direction to Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) requires TCHC to submit an annual Community Management Plan (CMP) to the City for comment. The CMP is a rolling three-year business plan including long-term business strategies but it is not a detailed activity plan.
Sale of 20 Toronto Community Housing Corporation Houses to Wigwamen Incorporated
April 2010 (staff report)
This report provides information on the sale by Toronto Community Housing Corporation of 20 houses to Wigwamen Incorporated.
Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program - Allocation of Year Two Funds February 2010 (staff report)
This report provides information on recommended projects for submission to the Province for year two funding in the amount of $121,433,789 under the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program (SHRRP).
Appendix A: Proposed SHRRP Regeneration Projects
Appendix B: Proposed SHRRP Year Two Mechanical Systems Replacement Projects
Appendix C: Proposed SHRRP Year Two Renovation Projects (TCHC Portfolio)
Appendix D: Proposed SHRRP Year Two Renovation Projects (non-TCHC Portfolio)
Update on the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit
Program, October 2009 (staff report)
This report provides information on the status of funding approved by the Province under
the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program (SHRRP), including a list of all
projects recommended to the Province under Year One of the Program. See Appendix A for a list of SHRRP Year One Projects.
Tied in Knots, Unlocking the Potential of Social Housing Communities in Toronto, November 2007 (staff report)
The long term viability of community-based social housing is at risk unless the federal and provincial governments provide supports. The City is requesting the full financial upload of all social housing costs. |
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ROOMING HOUSES |
Shared Accommodation in Toronto: Successful Practices and Opportunities for Change in the Rooming House Sector, 2008 (full report)
Key sections of the report:
Executive Summary and Recommendations
1. Good Practices in Toronto's Rooming House Sector
2. Learning from Tenants in Rooming Houses
3. Three Business Cases: The Economics of Rooming Houses in Toronto
The study aims to raise awareness of the positive contribution rooming houses make as part of the city’s housing continuum and to work towards increasing the supply of legal, safe and affordable housing for low-income people.
A key focus is to better understand the profile of tenants living in unlicensed rooming houses, their aspirations, and their views about where they live.
Second Suites Review, 2004
This report looks at the role of second suites in the affordable housing market in Toronto and identifies activities to support the expansion of second suite rental housing stock.
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TENANTS |
New Provincial Rent Bank Agreement for 2009 and Subsequent Years, 2009
This report provides information on the provincial changes to the Rent Bank program and the new
agreement between the Province and the City to continue receiving
provincial funding.
Welcome Home: A Guide to Services for Tenants 2011
Living on a tight budget is hard, but knowing how to take advantage of free or low cost services can make riding out the recession a little easier. Welcome Home, our newest guide to services, can help you find free or low cost meals, employment resources or free internet access.
Services for Landlords and Tenants in Toronto (brochure)
A quick resource guide to all the services landlords and tenants can access relating to rental units in the City of Toronto.
Housing Toronto’s Seniors, June 2006
This report examines
housing options and programs to help seniors get and keep affordable housing in the face of
rising housing costs and shrinking incomes.
Smart and Sub-Metering Electricity
Response to Consultations on the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2009 (Bill 235), (staff report) April 2010
In February 2010, staff reported to the Tenant Defence Sub-Committee on the status
of the Energy Consumer Protection Act (Bill 235), which was introduced by the Province
in December 2009. Bill 235 responds to the gap in regulations concerning sub-metering
of electricity in residential rental properties, and to the concerns identified in the August
13, 2009 decision of the Ontario Energy Board.
This report provides further information on Bill 235 and its
corresponding regulations, and to describe the actions taken to date to provide input into
Bill 235 and the regulations.
2010 Status Report: Applications under the Tenant Grants Support program April 2010
Energy Assistance Programs for Low-income Tenants, May 2010
The following chart provides information on a number of energy assistance programs for low-income tenants and energy grants for landlords along with important contact information.
Installation of Smart Meters in Residential Rental Units and Its Impacts on Tenant Affordability, June 2008 (staff report)
This report provides initial information about the new Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) regarding the use of smart meters in residential rental buildings, the current practice of installing smart meters and its impacts on tenant affordability.
Further Report on Installation of Sub-meters in Residential Rental Units and Its Impact on Tenant Affordability, Dec. 2008 (staff report)
This report looks at sub-metering, tenant rights and the transfer of utility costs from the landlord to the tenant. The report includes findings from consultations with landlord and tenant groups, housing committees, other City divisions, and provincial ministries and agencies dealing with energy conservation, as well as recommendations aimed at addressing the situation.
Ontario Energy Board Decision on Installation of Smart Sub-Metering Systems in Rental Residential Buildings, Sept. 2009 (staff report)
This report provides an update on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) decision on sub-metering in rental residential properties. It looks at strategies available to landlords and to tenants who currently have had their units sub-metered and, as a result of the OEB decision, are no longer obliged to pay energy costs directly.
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POVERTY |
Who's Hungry Faces of Hunger: 2012 Profile of Hunger in the GTA, Daily Bread Food Bank Report
In this report, you will see that hunger in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is often hidden. Not being able to afford food and going hungry, let alone coming to a food bank, is often not discussed with friends, family or neighbours. It is often thought that people are not supposed to go hungry in a wealthy country like Canada. When they do, it is seen as an individual failing—something must be wrong with them.
In From the Margins: A Call to Action on poverty, housing and homelessness. December 2009
This is the final report from the Cities subcommittee to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Included among the vast range of measures recommended to make poverty a thing of the past in Canada: the coordination of a nationwide federal-provincial initiative on early childhood training; the development of a national housing and homelessness strategy; and the creation of a basic income floor for all Canadians who are severely disabled.
Poverty shouldn't be a life sentence: A report on the perceptions of homelessness
and poverty in Canada, Fall 2009
One in 10 people in Canada live in poverty. The Salvation Army continues its efforts to address the needs of those
living below the poverty line. This report illustrates the public’s perception on
homelessness and poverty to show the realities
and to dispel some commonly held misconceptions about homelessness and poverty.
2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada, Campaign2000
Two decades after the House of Commons’ unanimous resolution “to seek to
achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000,”
1 in 10 children in Canada still lives in poverty.
Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology on Poverty, June 2008
The number of
poor households living in urban areas continues to grow. Chronic
levels of poverty, polarized job opportunities, low wages, and
unaffordable and inadequate housing in large cities has created a fundamental
challenge to the future of Canada.
Toronto’s Vital Signs Report, 2009
Vital Signs looks at key indicators such as safety, health, education,
employment, and transportation that affect
the well-being of the community. It examines the gap between rich
and poor as well as civic responsibility, and cultural and environmental issues.
The Cost of Poverty, Nov. 2008
According to the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), the government needs to make investments to alleviate the costs of poverty for the future. OAFB believes that huge savings could be achieved by reducing poverty and its
social costs, and the government could pay for the needed policies
without asking taxpayers for more money.
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FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL REPORTS |
A Gathering Storm: the changing economic conditions in Ontario, 2008
This report looks at the impact of changing food, gasoline, and energy prices in Ontario and the changing economic conditions as they relate to food banks and people who use them. It also includes an analysis of trends in the price of these items, and a review of the current impacts of these changing conditions on food banks in Ontario.
Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review – Facing the Future Together, 2008
This report outlines the consensus achieved by the provincial government, the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario and the City of Toronto through a review of provincial-municipal
arrangements. It aims to achieve a vision that the Province and Ontario municipalities
share: an economically strong and competitive Ontario that offers a high quality of life to all of its
residents.
Toward a Volunteer and Non-Profit Labour Force Strategy, Aug. 2008
This report (second in a three-part series) contains findings from
Canada-wide Surveys of Employers and Employees. The Employers Survey looks at employers, their organizations, characteristics,
recruitment/retention practices, challenges, and skills needs.
The Employees Survey looks at employee demographics,
their work, their
likes/dislikes re their jobs and their future plans. WEBSITES
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