COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE

A G E N D A

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.

DEPUTATIONS.LIST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT MEETING

COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS.

1.1999-2003 CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM.

Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer

Submitting the 1999-2003 Capital Works Programs for the following:

Community and Neighbourhood Services Department:

-Homes for the Aged;

-Shelter Housing and Support; and

-Social Services; and

Library Services.

1a.Chief Administrative Officer

(November 9, 1998)

Respecting the 1999-2003 Capital Works Program; providing an overview of the Capital Budget process; and summarizing the various issues and challenges currently faced by the City.

1b.Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(November 11, 1998)

Proposing a preliminary capital financing plan for the 1999-2003 Capital Works Program.

(NOTE:COPIES OF THE 1999-2003 CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMS WERE FORWARDED TO ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WITH THE AGENDA OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR ITS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 10, 11 AND 13, 1998. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR BUDGET BOOKS TO THE MEETING.)

2.UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL SPENDING FOR PROVISION OF

BENEFITS TO NON-SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(October 19, 1998)

Providing an update on the continuation of benefits for non-social assistance recipients and the financial implications thereof; indicating that the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department estimates that the cost to Toronto of replacing benefits previously available to non-social assistance recipients under Special Assistance and Supplementary Aid will be approximately $1.526 million at 100 percent municipal cost-sharing for the period May to December 1998, and based on 1998 expenditures the projected 1999 costs will be $1.964million; and recommending that:

(1)in accordance with the new Ontario Works regulations, the Municipality discontinue the provision of benefits under Special Assistance and Supplementary Aid to non-social assistance recipients;

(2)City Council continue to advocate to the Province that the Assistive Devices Program be modified to cover the full costs of medical items formerly covered through Special Assistance and Supplementary Aid; and

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

(NOTE:DEFERRED FROM NOVEMBER 5, 1998, MEETING, WITH A REQUEST THAT THE CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES DISCUSS THE ISSUES RAISED WITH THE MINISTERS OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH.)

3.NATIONAL CHILD BENEFIT SUPPLEMENT REINVESTMENT PLAN.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 18, 1998)

Responding to the request of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee to explore alternative options for the reinvestment of Municipal social assistance savings resulting from the implementation of the National Child Benefit Supplement (N.C.B.S.) in Toronto; and recommending that:

(1)City Council endorse the Region of York's resolution requesting that "the Minister of Community and Social Services rescind the decision to consider the National Child Benefit Supplement as income thereby deducting the supplements from social assistance", and communicate this position to the Minister;

(2)should Recommendation No. (1) not be approved by the Province, and within the current Federal-Provincial framework agreement for the National Child Benefit, the City's savings from the implementation of the National Child Benefit be reinvested to develop a combined strategy consisting of:

(i)provision of child care alternatives and service supports for children of low income families including those families making the transition from Ontario Works into sustainable employment;

(ii)a shelter fund to address the high shelter costs of families with children;

(3)the Commissioner report back to Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on an implementation plan to carry out the proposed reinvestment strategy;

(4)pending provincial confirmation of the actual City savings and review of the City's reinvestment priorities, the N.C.B.S. savings accrued be retained and designated in a reserve for future spending in accordance with the approved reinvestment plan;

(5)City Council strongly encourage the Province to address shelter issues facing Ontario Works clients through the creation of a shelter supplement program; and

(6)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto."

3a.City Clerk

(November 4, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, considered the report dated October 22, 1998, of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services regarding the proposed reinvestment strategy for Municipal Savings resulting from the implementation of the National Child Benefit, and recommended to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee that City Council remind the Federal Government of the commitment to end child poverty in the year 2000.

4.DEFINING CHILD POVERTY IN THE CITY OF TORONTO.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 20, 1998)

Responding to the request of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for a report on various approaches to defining and describing levels of poverty; and recommending that the report be received for information.

5.PAYMENT OF FORMER CITY OF TORONTO DAYCARE GRANTS.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 18, 1998)

Advising that, as part of amalgamation, the former City of Toronto Daycare Grant Program was transferred to the Children's Services Division of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department; and recommending that:

(1)a total payment of $543,564.00 from the former City of Toronto Daycare Grant funds be made immediately to eighty-four of the ninety-nine child care centres considered for funding in the amounts identified in Appendix I of this report;

(2) the Daycare Grant Program be reviewed in 1999 with the intent of streamlining and harmonizing how child care centres are funded and the Department recommend funding strategy changes to Council early in 1999; and

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

6.CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE -

CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP AND QUORUM.

City Clerk

(November 5, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, recommended that:

(1)the quorum for the Children and Youth Action Committee be reduced to ninemembers, representing 25 percent of the membership; and

(2)Trustees Elizabeth Boyd and Nora Donovan be appointed to the Children and Youth Action Committee as alternate representatives of the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

7.CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE - WORKPLAN.

City Clerk

(November 5, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, recommended that its workplan be endorsed.

8.CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE-REQUEST

FOR FUNDS FOR TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY INITIATIVE.

City Clerk

(November 5, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, recommended that:

(1)funds in the amount of $4,000.00 be authorized to cover the cost of printing 20,000 copies of a poster to encourage parents to read to their children; and

(2)funds in the amount of $3,000.00 be authorized for the project "Reaching Out With Young Voices" to encourage street youth to write their stories for publication in a booklet to be published in 1999;

and noting that funds are available in the Children and Youth Action Committee's budget.

9.REPORT SPONSORED BY THE CALEDON INSTITUTE

OF SOCIAL POLICY, ENTITLED "EARLY YEARS PROJECT".

City Clerk

(November 5, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, had before it a report (October, 1998), entitled "Early Years Project', from Ms. Julie Mathien, which was sponsored by the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, and recommended that:

(i)City Council endorse the recommendations contained in the report sponsored by the Caledon Institute of Social Policy regarding the Early Years Project which read as follows:

(1)the Federal Government take leadership in establishing a federal/provincial partnership to fund, implement and evaluate demonstration school-based integrated early childhood education programs for kindergarten-aged children; New Brunswick, because of its recent experience implementing kindergarten, and Quebec, due to its innovative early childhood reform, can provide particular provincial expertise;

(2)local and provincial jurisdictions responsible for curriculum and program continue to respect child development and the wishes of parents and practitioners regarding the content of early childhood education programs;

(3) regardless of new models, provincial and local jurisdictions with responsibility for education and child care take steps to encourage communication and co-ordination between kindergarten and child care programs, especially those that share children; and

(4)provincial and local jurisdictions recognize that early childhood education programs require minimum number of trained staff to ensure quality and make the necessary regulatory and funding changes. Further, that they co-operate in providing "cross-over" in-service training in early childhood education at levels appropriate to both teachers and child care staff; and

(ii)the Child Care Research Committee be requested to examine a follow up study focussing on different jurisdictional models for child care, and design a communication strategy to promote the results of the study; and that the findings of the study be used as background for any future consultation on child care.

10.IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONTARIO WORKS

PROGRAM AS IT RELATES TO CHILDREN.

City Clerk

(November 5, 1998)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on October 26, 1998, recommended that:

(1)Council direct the City Clerk to file a formal request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the actual costs of tracking and verifying the expenditure costs of informal child care under the Ontario Works Program; and

(2)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be requested to report back to the Children and Youth Action Committee on the City of Toronto's costs of administering informal child care under the Ontario Works Program.

11.SCHOOL BASED CHILD CARE FACT SHEET.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 19, 1998)

Advising that, due to the recent announcement by the Provincial Premier regarding "a solution to school closure threats'; it may not be necessary for the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department to continue providing updates on the school closure issue on a monthly basis; and noting that the Department will keep the Committee advised of the full impact of the Premier's announcement, and of any resulting change in the current status of the child care programs located in school facilities.

12.REQUEST OF COUNCILLOR JANE PITFIELD FOR

APPOINTMENT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON

HOMELESS AND SOCIALLY-ISOLATED PERSONS.

City Clerk

(November 6, 1998)

Recommending that consideration be given to a request from Councillor Jane Pitfield indicating her interest in being appointed to the Advisory Committee on Homeless and Socially-Isolated Persons.

13.HEALTH AND SAFETY ALLOCATIONS FOR HOSTELS.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 20, 1998)

Respecting Health and Safety Allocations for Hostels; and recommending that:

(1)Toronto Hostel Services be authorized to administer 100 percent provincial funds to hostels for minor capital needs;

(2)the allocations, totalling $30,785.97, shown in this report be approved;

(a)Council Fire$16,000.00

(smoke room, walk-in refrigerator)

(b)Sojourn House 2,117.40

(bunk beds ladders, sink, mattresses, paint

(c)Youth Without Shelter 1,005.57

(fire inspection work)

(d)YMCA House 11,663.00

(two Furnaces)

Total$30,785.97

(3)80 percent of these amounts be advanced to the hostels as soon as required, with the remaining 20 percent released after the work is completed and appropriate expenditure documents have been submitted; and

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

14.OCCUPANCY UPDATE ON SHELTERS.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 20, 1998)

Providing a brief occupancy update for the emergency shelter system.

15.REFORM OF SOCIAL HOUSING PROGRAMS -

FINAL REPORT OF THE SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(November 18, 1998)

Respecting the final Report of the Social Housing Committee; and recommending that Council:

(1)write to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with respect to the following comments on the Report of the Social Housing Committee:

(a)endorse the Social Housing Committee's Final Report and encourage the Provincial Government to proceed quickly with implementing the reform proposals so that the devolution of administrative responsibility for social housing to municipalities can proceed;

(b)note that the costs of administering social housing have not been fully included in the download number; indicate that, given the size of the portfolio, these costs will be considerable in the City of Toronto, and seek a commitment for provincial funding for these administrative costs when the responsibility is transferred;

(c)re-emphasize Council's position that administration of unilateral federal housing programs not be transferred to municipalities;

(d)advise that, in the City's view, benchmarks for housing provider operating costs must be in place before operating loans are set and that the process for establishing these benchmarks should begin immediately and be done in partnership between the Provincial government, municipalities and housing providers;

(e)specifically commend the Committee for its recommendations that technical audits be conducted to determine the adequacy of capital reserves, that these reserves be "topped-up" by the Province as required, and that the Province establish and fund new capital reserves for the Ontario Housing Corporation stock;

(f)caution that, while strategies for accelerated loan repayment to municipalities and capturing a portion of housing provider surpluses may be desirable, the City has some concern about the potential for significantly increased municipal administrative costs and creating disincentives for housing providers to operate efficiently; and

(g)emphasize that for social housing reform to succeed, the new program must be designed and implemented in partnership between housing providers, municipalities and the Provincial government, and identify the City of Toronto's interest in being an active participant in the design and implementation process; and

(2)authorize the appropriate City officials to take the necessary steps to give effect to Recommendation No. (1).

(NOTE:A COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE DATED NOVEMBER 3, 1998, IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.)

16.INCREASE IN MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUMS

FOR EXISTING RENTAL HOUSING.

City Clerk

(November 18, 1998)

Advising that the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes on November16,1998, recommended the adoption of a report (October 30, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services regarding a recent decision of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to increase the fees and premiums to insure mortgages on existing rental housing, and wherein it was recommended that:

(1)City Council express to the Federal Minister Responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation its strong opposition to the increase in mortgage insurance premiums for existing rental housing announced for January 1, 1999, and request that the increase be rescinded given the potential negative impact on affordability of rental housing; and

(2)City Council strongly urge the Federal Minister Responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to reduce mortgage insurance premiums for new rental housing in order to encourage the construction of new multi-residential rental housing.

17.UPDATE ON THE STRATEGY TO CREATE AFFORDABLE

HOUSING AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

City Clerk

(November 18, 1998)

Advising that the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes on November16,1998, recommended the adoption of a report (November 12, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing an update on the strategy to create affordable housing and demonstration projects, and wherein it was recommended that:

(1)the Council Strategy Committee recommend to Council that the Lawrence/Allen Road (Ward 8) site continue to be held from sale and the Commissioner of Community Services be requested to report back by April 1999 on the results of the proposal call for transitional housing, as outlined in this report;

(2)the Council Strategy Committee recommend to Council that the two City-owned sites on Grand Avenue (Ward 2) continue to be held from sale, the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to expedite the soil remediation study now underway, and based on results of that study, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be requested to report back by April 1999 on the results of a proposal call for affordable rental and ownership housing as outlined in this report;

(3)the Council Strategy Committee recommend to Council that the Legion Road (Ward2) site be released for sale, given that it is not suitable or feasible for affordable housing development;

(4)Council confirm the decision of the Council of the former City of Toronto of October28, 1996, that the City-owned site at 419-425 Coxwell Avenue (Ward 26) and 331 Bartlett Avenue North (Ward 21) will continue to be used for affordable housing purposes and any proceeds from sale will be returned to the Social Housing Reserve Fund, as the site was obtained under Section 36 (now 37) density bonusing provisions of the Planning Act; and

(5)Council confirm the decision of the Council of the former City of Toronto of October28, 1996, that the City-owned sites at 156 Munro Street (Ward 25) and 30St. Lawrence Street (Ward 25) be used for affordable housing purposes; the City-owned site at 275 Ontario Street (Ward 25) continue to be retained by the City; and any proceeds from sale of these sites be returned to the Land Banking Fund of the former City of Toronto to help retire the debenture debt related to that fund.

18.UPDATE ON EVICTION PREVENTION STRATEGIES.

City Clerk

(November 18, 1998)

Advising that the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes on November16,1998, directed that the report (November 12, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing a status report on the three eviction prevention programs currently being delivered with City of Toronto funding be forwarded to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for information.

19.AMALGAMATION OF THE CITY OF TORONTO NON-PROFIT

HOUSING CORPORATION AND THE METROPOLITAN

TORONTO HOUSING COMPANY LIMITED

UNDER THE NAME OF "TORONTO HOUSING COMPANY INC.".

Chief Operating Officer, Housing Companies

(November 23, 1998)

Respecting the amalgamation of the City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Cityhome) and The Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited (MTHCL) under the name of "Toronto Housing Company Inc. as of January 1, 1999; and recommending that:

(1)as the governing body of the sole shareholder of both The City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation and The Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited, Council approve, by way of special resolution, the agreement providing for the amalgamation of the two companies under the name of "Toronto Housing Company Inc." ("THC") as of January 1, 1999, in accordance with the Amalgamation Agreement constituting Attachment I to the report dated November13, 1998, from the Chief Operating Officer of the Housing Companies to the Boards of Directors thereof, subject to the concurrence of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing;

(2)authority be granted to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the new housing company following amalgamation, in the form set forth as Attachment II of the Chief Operating Officer's said report;

(3)City officials be directed to work with the Chief Operating Officer to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding, defining the working relationship between THC staff and City staff, as well as purchase-of-service arrangements between City departments and THC;

(4)the City be authorized to accept the transfer to it of the single share in the amalgamated corporation arising from the conversion of the issued and outstanding shares of Cityhome and MTHCL under the Amalgamation Agreement; and

(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary steps to give effect to Recommendations Nos. (1) to (4).

20.ESTABLISHMENT OF A CAPITAL REVOLVING

FUND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND

THE SOCIAL HOUSING RESERVE FUND.

Corporate Secretary,

The City of Toronto Housing Corporation and

The Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited

(November 23, 1998)

Advising that the Board of Directors of The City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Cityhome) and the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited (MTHCL) on November 23, 1998, recommended the adoption of a report (November 16, 1998) from the Chief Operating Officer wherein it recommended that Council approve the following:

(1) the establishment of a Capital Revolving Fund for Affordable Housing using proceeds from the Social Housing Reserve Fund which are not required by the new housing company;

(2)the amount of $5,670,000.00 in the Social Housing Reserve Account be transferred to the Capital Revolving Fund when approved by City Council. Any profit earned from the sale of units in the Pooled Investment Fund on the date of transfer will also be transferred to the Capital Revolving Fund;

(3)the amount of $1,100,000.00 be retained in the Social Housing Reserve Fund account currently being managed by Cityhome to be used to subsidize budget shortfalls in future years; and

(4)the interest income earned on the Social Housing Reserve Fund during the year of 1998 be transferred to revenue as approved in the 1998 Operating Budget.

ANY OTHER MATTERS.