May 29, 1998

 To:Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee

 From:Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

 Subject:Homelessness Action Task Force

 Purpose:

 At its meeting of April 16th, 1998, Council requested that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services Asubmit a report to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on the workplan and budget of the Homelessness Action Task Force, such report also to address the status of the Federal government contribution@. (Clause 4, Report 3 of Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, 1998). In addition, Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee had amended this clause to establish an upset limit of $170,000.00 for the City=s direct charges in support of the Task Force. This provides a status report on this initiative.

 Funding Sources:

 The Task Force=s total resources include grants by the City of Toronto for $170,000.00 and the Federal government for $200,000.00, the value of in-kind contributions by the City of Toronto for $383,800.00 in goods and services and by the Federal government of $100,000.00 plus substantial in-kind contributions of staff support by a number of other organizations.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that this report be received for information

 Comments:

 Task Force Resources and Funding

 The Federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Human Resources Development Canada, which have each contributed $100,000.00 to the Homelessness Action Task Force, has provided substantial financial support to the Task Force. An additional $100,000.00 of in-kind support has also been committed by C.M.H.C. As part of this contribution, C.M.H.C. will undertake some specific research for the Task Force on housing stock and income trends, both for the mainstream rental market, and for the low-rent sector including rooming houses and basement flats. In addition, a C.M.H.C. staff person will be seconded to the Task Force to do an analysis of new census data when it is available in June of this year.

 Anne Golden has been seconded from the United Way of Greater Toronto to be a part-time Task Force Chair. Additional communications support, and a half-time administrative staff person have also been provided by the United Way. Three other Task Force members are volunteers, and do not receive an honorarium. Councillor Jack Layton, and Federal Member of Parliament Tony Ianno are ex-officio members of the Task Force.

 A total of eight staff have also been seconded from the City of Toronto, the new Addictions and Mental Health Agency, and Toronto Hospital.

 The Task Force expenditures are currently on budget.

 Orientation, Consultation and Research

 The Task Force Terms of Reference were developed in consultation with more than 80 key informants. A background paper was produced by staff to identify key trends and current responses to homelessness in Toronto.

 The Task Force and staff have participated in more than 70 hours of orientation in over 20 locations. Orientation sessions took the form of site visits and tours, round table sessions, and formal presentations from a range of individuals with experience in the field. This included meeting with people at-risk, or currently homeless, as part of the site visits to specific agencies. Further, consultations with homeless persons, and a broad range of local, provincial and national stakeholders are expected during the summer of 1998.

 The Task Force is working closely with a number of City Committees to build on existing knowledge and experience and to avoid duplication in mandate and activities. The workplan has been developed to complement and support the activities already underway at the City of Toronto. Links have been established to individuals and municipalities across Canada to share best practices and municipal strategies for long-term solutions. European and American experiences will be reviewed to provide a comparative analysis of this global phenomenon of homelessness.

 A research plan is underway with eight specific projects tendered. Research areas include:

 -Poverty as a cause of homelessness

-A profile of homelessness

-Health issues as they relate to homelessness

-Mental health and homelessness

-Housing supply and affordability

- Cost analysis of different types of shelter

-An evaluation of supportive housing in Toronto; and

-Options for eviction prevention.

 Goals and Principles of the Task Force

 The Task Force has established ten principles to guide its work:

 1.Community-wide plan

 Homelessness is a community issue, requiring collective, community-wide response. Affordable housing and supportive services should be fairly distributed throughout the city and city-region.

 2.Integrated system

 Strategies to address homelessness will form a coherent plan and services will be delivered through an integrated, accessible system.

 3.Adequate housing

 Adequate housing, available to, and appropriate for the poorest of our citizens, must be central to the plan.

 4.Prevention

 Strategies that prevent people from losing their housing are key to addressing homelessness and will be encouraged.

 5.Cost-effectiveness

 The plan to prevent/reduce homelessness must invest in strategies and programs that have the most impact.

 6.Responsiveness

 Solutions must be flexible and respond to the needs of the diverse homelessness populations.

 7.Participation

 Consumers and community stakeholders must participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs and services.

 8.Respect

 Respect for the dignity and capabilities of homeless people is essential to the success of the plan.

 9.Continuity

 Strategies will build on existing best practices and experience in the field

 10.Accountability

 There must be clear accountability for the long-term impact of dollars invested.

 Based on these principles, the Task Force has established a goal of preventing and reducing homelessness through a complementary set of strategies which:

 -Focus on prevention and long-term solutions, rather than short-term crisis-oriented responses.

-Provided an integrated and effective system of support services.

-Create the on-ongoing capacity to monitor and evaluate programs and ensure that dollars spent are maximized.

 Interim Reports

 The Task Force=s first interim report is expected in mid-June. Further interim reports are expected through the fall of 1998, with a final report submitted to the Mayor in December.

 Conclusions:

 The Task Force has been fully operational for four months and is following its workplan. Necessary funding has been secured from a number of sources, both grants and in-kind, and expenditures are in line with budget. The Task Force will be providing interim reports in June, the Fall and a final report to the Mayor in December.

 Contact Name:

Eric Gam-392-8238

Shirley Hoy,

Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services.

  HOMELESSNESS ACTION TASK FORCE

 1998 BUDGET ($000's)