Community & Neighbourhood
Services
Shelter, Housing &
Support Division
277 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1W2
Fax: (416) 392-0560
TTY: (416) 392-0091
September 30, 1998
To:Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
Subject:Rent Bank Pilot Project for Women and Children - Project Evaluation and Update
Purpose:
This report seeks authorization for the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services to receive a $10,000 grant from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. This
grant will be used to engage a consultant to evaluate the Rent Bank Pilot Project, a project
funded by the Homeless Initiatives Fund and the United Way. Neighbourhood Information
Post operates the Pilot Project and began taking clients in September, 1998.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has approved a $10,000 grant to the City of
Toronto in support of an independent evaluation of the Rent Bank Pilot Project. This grant
represents the total cost of the evaluation. There are no financial implications for the City.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to
administer a $10,000.00 grant from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC);
(2)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to issue a
Request for Proposals and to engage an evaluator using the grant from CMHC as the funding
source; and
(3)the appropriate City Official be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give
effect hereto.
Council Reference/Background/History
The Rent Bank Pilot Project has been funded from the 1998 allocations of the Homeless
Initiatives Fund of the City of Toronto. City Council (SPPC #10, cl 10, July, 1998) approved
an allocation of $50,000.00 to a Rent Bank Pilot Project as one of several initiatives aimed at
preventing homelessness by preventing evictions.
Neighbourhood Information Post, in conjunction with four other agencies, was selected and
approved as the project operator by the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services. The primary objective of the project is to help women maintain a stable home
environment for their family through mediation services and financial aid. About 200 women
will use the service and about 50 will receive loans. This project will run for one year, target
women and children, and will be monitored as a "Pilot Project" so that lessons can be drawn
about the suitability of the service for this and other client groups.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Rent Bank opened in September 1998. One of four clients has qualified for direct
financial assistance in the first two weeks. This client was referred from the General Intake
Line for Family Residence when she inquired about space in the shelter for herself and her
daughter. This client used a loan from the Rent Bank to pay one month's arrears ($597.00),
and in the short term will receive welfare to replace income lost when her work hours were
cut back. Her landlord has agreed to stop eviction proceedings, and has notified Rent Bank
staff of other vacancies in his building. Neighbourhood Legal Services drew up minutes of
settlement.
The potential of counselling, mediation and loans to reduce shelter use and prevent evictions
is being tested in the Pilot Project. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has agreed to
fund an independent evaluation. The results will assess the success of the project and be
useful in applying the learnings of the Pilot Project to other neighbourhoods and client groups.
The Shelter, Housing and Support Division is prepared to issue a request for proposals for an
evaluator and convene a proposal selection team with members from the agencies
participating in the Rent Bank Pilot Project. The successful proponent will work over the next
10 months with the Neighbourhood Information Post and will produce interim and final
reports. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding of $10,000.00 will be used to
hire this evaluator. This contract will have a zero net cost to the City.
Conclusions:
Shelter, Housing and Support Division have worked closely with women and housing groups,
and community based agencies in developing the Rent Bank Pilot Project. We are pleased that
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation supports our work and is willing to fund an
independent evaluation so that the results of the project can be carefully assessed.
Contact Name:
Joanne Campbell
General Manager
Phone: (416) 392-7885
Fax: (416) 392-0548
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
