August 24, 1998

To:Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee

From:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject:New Decision by the Ontario Housing Corporation regarding the Sale of its Scattered Houses

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Discussion:

At its meeting of July 16, 1998, the Committee considered a report on the sale of scattered houses in the City of Toronto owned by the Ontario Housing Corporation (OHC) and operated by the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority (MTHA). Committee recommended that Council oppose the sale of these units and communicate its opposition to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and to the Chairs of the Boards of OHC and MTHA.

Subsequently, at its meeting of July 16 and 17, the Board of Directors of OHC adopted a recommendation from its Policy and Program Committee to expand the criteria governing the sale of vacant scattered units to include consideration of the length of the waiting list for the unit size in question. In other words, houses in communities with waiting lists which are longer than the number of units which turn over in a year will not be offered for sale.

In view of the length of the waiting lists for subsidized units in the City of Toronto, and the significantly lower annual turnover of units, MTHA staff have been advised to stop placing scattered houses "on hold" when they become vacant and will, once again, offer them to families on the waiting list.

The OHC policy also includes one overriding criterion. Houses that become vacant may be sold if the cost to renovate or repair them to a suitable state for rental is considered excessive. These situations would be reviewed on a case by case basis.

General Manager

Shelter, Housing and Support Division

Commissioner

Community and Neighbourhood Services