(Report dated June 4,1998, addressed to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, fromShirley Hoy, Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services.)

Subject:Progress Report re: 11 Ordnance Street, Trinity Niagara Ward

Purpose:x

This report outlines a plan for developing an existing City-owned warehouse at 11 Ordnance Street as a model shelter project for street youth. The report requests that the building be assigned for shelter purposes.

Funds Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The Capital Leverage Fund contains $500,000.00 which is available to support the capital costs of this project. These funds reside in a reserve account created for this purpose.

The 1998 Homeless Initiatives Fund is requesting approval from the Municipal Grants Review Committee for $50,000.00 for the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project which will assist with the development and implementation of this shelter project. Funds are available in the approved 1998 Consolidated Grants Program Budget.

No other operating funds will be needed in 1998. Sources of ongoing operating funds are being explored by Hostel Services.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the youth shelter demonstration project be developed at 11 Ordnance Street and staff report back on the progress of this project;

(2)the existing City-owned site at 11 Ordnance Street be assigned to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department for shelter projects; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background:

During consideration of the Capital and Operating Budget of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department on March 30 and 31 and April 2 and 3, 1998, the Budget Committee requested that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services submit a report to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on the development of 11 Ordnance Street as a model housing project.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Description of 11 Ordnance:

11 Ordnance is a 33.2m x 57.9m municipally owned site located in the Trinity Niagara Ward (Ward 20 ), east of Strachan Avenue, south of King Street West. The site includes a warehouse building which was built in the 1920s with a ground floor area of 1722.3m² in a number of large open sections. The overall building is in good repair and the open span structure of the building means that alternative forms of housing can be built within the shell without extensive structural changes. In addition, the structure is ideal for two storey construction within the building as more than 70% of the building has ceiling heights in excess of 20 feet.

The northern section of the building was partially renovated this past winter for a temporary overnight facility for homeless people which closed the end of May 1998. This property has been surplus to the needs of the municipality for some time.

Plan for the Use of 11 Ordnance:

 After some street youth occupied Nathan Phillips Square in 1996, a group of youth serving agencies and municipal staff began to look at housing issues. The idea for a project which assists homeless youth to develop the skills necessary to obtain and maintain housing came out of these and other related discussions over the past two years with more than fifteen agencies which work with homeless youth and/or provide housing. Youth themselves have repeatedly indicated that they need both housing and jobs. This past winter, the plight of one group of homeless youth living in the ARooster@ squat received national attention and highlighted the need for such services.

This report comments on the key elements of a long term plan to efficiently utilize an existing building to develop a model transitional housing project for street youth which addresses the cycle of streets, hostels, housing and back to the streets. In the short term, Women=s Residence, a City operated hostel for single women, is using the space from June 1,1998 - December 15, 1998 while their permanent hostel undergoes renovations. Thus 11 Ordnance Street will continue to be utilized for homeless people while the plan for street youth is further developed.

 Development of the Program for Street Youth:

The long term plan is for a two tiered project for fifty street youth which will break the cycle of streets, hostels, housing and back to the streets. The project will primarily assist street youth to develop the skills necessary to get and keep housing and secondarily develop similar skills to access employment/educational opportunities. Youth will also receive assistance to access health care. The project will focus on homeless young men and women ages 18 - 24 years who have demonstrated an interest in developing housing skills through participation in a hostel program.

The first tier of the project will be a resident assessment area with minimal housing amenities where residents and staff can plan an approach to skills development. Most residents will stay no longer than six months in this tier and while many will move into the next stage, others will move directly into housing in the community of their choice.

The second tier will be in five - six houses with shared living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and private bedrooms. Residents will be able to stay a maximum of 12 months and will further develop the skills necessary to find and keep housing and a job. There will be additional interior common multipurpose space to compensate for the lack of exterior yard space. Uses of this space would include social/recreational activities and community economic development projects.

One lead agency will operate this project and will work in partnership with other programs in order to promote linkages to existing resources. Street youth who are potential residents will be consulted through the efforts of the lead agency in collaboration with the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project, a project funded through the City=s Homeless Initiatives Fund. Staff have already met with a small group of agencies who have indicated interest in participating in the development of a project such as this. These agencies will be invited to the project=s Resource Working Group which is being organized immediately to work with the City and the selected lead agency to further develop the model and to address issues such as consultation with key stakeholders and program evaluation. Participants will include community agencies with expertise in operating youth hostels, housing projects, employment programs for street youth and health care services for street youth and will ensure that this project is strongly connected to the appropriate sectors.

A notice is being sent to community agencies working with homeless youth and which currently receive municipal funding asking them to indicate their interest in being selected as the lead agency in the development and implementation of this project. The selection criteria for the lead agency will include demonstrated ability to work with street youth to provide effective services, demonstrated ability to collaborate with other youth serving programs and a history of accountable relationships with the municipalities.

By the end of 1998 the following will be accomplished: the City, the lead agency and the Resource Working Group will have further developed the program model; a building design will be developed with input from the City, the lead agency, the Resource Working Group and some potential residents; a Building Permit will have been issued and renovations will be underway. Appendix A contains a development plan with deadlines.

 Staff have consulted with the local ward councillors regarding this plan and will keep them updated as the project moves forward.

Budget Implications:

The City=s capital contribution of $500,000.00 will provide a modest facility with minimal amenities, however, staff will work with the lead agency and Resource Working Group to fundraise furnishings, equipment and other requirements. The City=s funds will also lever donations of labour and materials/furnishings from the private sector and service club organizations and resources from the other levels of government.

 The 1998 Homeless Initiatives Fund request for $50,000.00 for the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project is currently before the Municipal Grants Review Committee and, as part of its intensive housing help to street youth survivors, includes support for the development of the Transitional Housing/Extended Shelter Project and assistance to residents during the implementation of the Transitional Housing Project.

No other operating funds will be needed in 1998. Sources of ongoing operating funds are being explored by Hostel Services.

 Conclusions:

 Staff have identified the need for model shelter project for street youth which breaks the cycle of streets, hostels, housing and back to the streets. This project will assist fifty street youth to develop the skills necessary to get and keep housing and jobs. This site, 11 Ordnance Street, is surplus to the current needs of the City and should be assigned to Community and Neighbourhood Services. Staff will be reporting back on the progress of this project.

 Contact Name:

  APPENDIX A