September 21, 1999
To:Community Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
Subject:Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee
Purpose:
This report proposes the mandate and membership selection process for an Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee,
as recommended in the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force report.
Funding sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no immediate financial implications for the City.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to establish an Aboriginal Homelessness
Steering Committee to advise the City on the implementation of the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force
recommendations pertaining to aboriginal homelessness; and,
(2)the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee be established for a two year period, based on the Terms of
Reference and membership selection process set out in this report, with annual reports to the City.
Executive Summary:
Aboriginal people make up a significant proportion of people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in Toronto.
This fact has been substantiated in the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force report, the Royal Commission on
Aboriginal Peoples, and numerous reports from social service agencies in the City. A strategy is required which
specifically addresses shelter, housing and support needs of the Aboriginal population in the City.
Jurisdictional responsibility for Aboriginal people has historically rested with the federal government (on reserve, status
Indians) and with the province (for those living off reserve.) The growth in the urban aboriginal population, however, has
resulted in municipalities having to take responsibility for many Aboriginal issues, particularly in the area of social
services. In addition, the Aboriginal community shares in the responsibility for the well-being of urban Aboriginals, and
there are now 16 Aboriginal-led social service agencies and non-profit housing providers in the City.
The proposed Aboriginal Steering Committee would include representatives from all levels of government and the
Aboriginal community. It would provide a forum where the Aboriginal specific recommendations in the Mayor's
Homelessness Action Task Force can be advanced, and an appropriate strategy for urban Aboriginal people can be
developed. The Committee would be advisory in nature and report annually to the City.
Council Reference/Background/History:
City Council endorsed, in principle, the general directions outlined in the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force final
report, and requested that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services report back on initiatives for
homeless Aboriginal people (Clause No. 2 of Report No. 5 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee March 2, 3,
4, 1999).
The Task Force specifically recommended that an Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee be established to "provide
on-going advice on an implementation plan to prevent and reduce homelessness and monitor and evaluate the results."
Other Task Force recommendations specific to the Aboriginal population are for new supportive housing, a clinical detox
unit, a healing lodge and other services which promote prevention and self-help. (For a complete list of these
recommendations see Appendix #1.)
City Council also requested that the Federal government be encouraged to participate in the development of a culturally
appropriate homeless strategy for the City of Toronto (Notice of Motion by Councillors Pantalone and Korwin-Kuczynski,
seconded by Mayor Lastman, adopted by City Council on May 11 & 12, 1999). Staff are engaged in discussions with
Human Resource Development Canada about a federal representative to sit as an ex-officio member of the Aboriginal
Steering Committee. A representative from the provincial government will be requested as well.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Aboriginal people represent about 1% of the general population in Toronto. The Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force
estimates that 4,000 people or 15 percent of all homeless people are Aboriginal. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal
Peoples research on urban poverty gives rise to a conservative estimate of 8,000 Aboriginal households at risk of
homelessness in Toronto. Problems of urban Aboriginal poverty are often linked with addictions, abuse, mental illness, and
lack of training and education.
The extent and complexity of Aboriginal homelessness demands a specialized response that requires leadership and input
from the Aboriginal community, the City and senior levels of government. The Mayor's Task Force has recommended that
an Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee be established to provide one forum where collaboration and leadership
are encouraged.
The proposed Terms of Reference for the Aboriginal Steering Committee has been developed in consultation with
Aboriginal community members (see Appendix #2.) The Committee would advise the City on an Aboriginal specific
strategy, monitor progress on the strategy and seek out potential resources related to strategy implementation. The
Committee would have a two-year mandate, and report to City Council annually.
Aboriginal Homeless Steering Committee members would be selected from applications received in response to a general
mailing to community members. Members would be appointed by the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services. The Steering Committee would be comprised of seven representatives from the Aboriginal community. The
assistance of technical advisors from Aboriginal social services, and representatives from all levels of government would
be solicited as well. City representatives from the Mayor's office, Community and Neighbourhood Services Department
and the City's Access and Equity Centre will provide staff resources for the work of the committee.
Conclusions:
Aboriginal people are over-represented in the homeless and at risk populations in the City. Shelters, housing and social
services which are culturally sensitive, and managed by Aboriginal people have demonstrated the importance of
collaboration among Aboriginal people and all levels of government in addressing the service needs of this population.
The proposed Aboriginal Homeless Steering Committee, as recommended by the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task
Force, would provide an appropriate forum for collaboration on an aboriginal homeless strategy as well as a means to make
progress on the Task Force's specific recommendations for new services for Aboriginal people.
Contact Name:
Joanne Campbell
Phone: 392-7885
Fax:392-0548
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
Appendix #1
Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force
Aboriginal Specific Recommendations
(#24 to #33)
Establish a new Aboriginal shelter by expanding and strengthening Council Fire's operations so that it can operate its
shelter year round.
The federal government should carry responsibility for funding housing and supports to the Aboriginal homeless
population in partnership with the provincial government.
A supportive housing pilot project should be established in a suburban area of the City specifically for the Aboriginal
population in Toronto. The capital costs should be covered by the federal government. Support services should be attached
to appropriate Aboriginal-specific service providers. This project should establish formal linkages to the healing lodge
recommended below.
The Li'l Beavers/Eagles prevention program for Aboriginal children and youth, operated by Native Friendship Centres,
should be reinstated by the Province. The federal government should establish an Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth
Centre in Toronto in cooperation with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Council Fire, and other Aboriginal agencies.
The Facilitator for Action on Homelessness should, as one his or her special projects, create an Aboriginal Steering
Committee to provide ongoing advice on an implementation plan to prevent and reduce Aboriginal homelessness and
monitor and evaluate the results.
An Aboriginal clinical detox centre, funded by the Ministry of Health, should be established, building upon the efforts of
Anishnawbe Health and Pedehbun Lodge.
Establish a rural-based healing lodge near Toronto to provide opportunities for healing and self-development of the
Aboriginal homeless population in Toronto. This model should be similar to existing Aboriginal healing lodges in Ontario
but with a focus on the homeless population.
A focused strategy should be established to increasing training and job opportunities for Aboriginal youth based on
transitional housing model in which residents work to upgrade their skills and prepare for independent living. It should be
led by Native Child and Family Services in collaboration with Nishnawbe Homes and the Native Canadian Centre of
Toronto and other youth service providers.
Expand the Biindgd Breakfast Club model.
Appendix #2
Toronto Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee
3rd Draft
TERMS OF REFERENCE
(September 8, 1999)
Purpose
To facilitate and monitor the implementation of recommendations of the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force to
reduce Aboriginal homelessness in Toronto.
Objectives
The Committee will:
(a)Provide advice to the City and the Aboriginal community on ways to co-ordinate a strategy to reduce homelessness
among Aboriginal people in Toronto.
(b)Establish a process to monitor and evaluate strategy implementation.
(c)Assist in resolving disputes related to strategy implementation.
(d)Ensure accountability for strategy implementation to the community and all levels of government.
(e)Ensure continuity in strategy implementation.
(f)Search out and identify potential resources related to strategy implementation.
Composition of Committee
Membership:
The Committee will be composed of seven members to be selected by the City from nominations by the Aboriginal
community. A youth representative (under 25 years of age) and a homeless representative will be among those members
selected. Representation from women will be ensured.
The Committee will select a chairperson from among their number.
The Committee will be supported by technical advisors from all levels of government, who will attend meetings in an
ex-officio capacity. Technical advisors from Aboriginal social service agencies which have direct interest in strategy
implementation will also participate in Committee work.
Membership Selection Criteria:
Committee members must be Aboriginal and will have a working knowledge of issues and problems related to Aboriginal
homelessness in Toronto.
Committee members will possess skills and/or knowledge related to addressing homelessness issues.
Committee members may include members of Board of Directors from social service agencies but not staff from agencies
which provide services related to strategy implementation. Staff members may be technical advisors.
Committee members shall be willing to carry out Committee work on a voluntary basis.
Committee members shall be willing to adhere to the City's conflict of interest guidelines for committees.
Procedures for Selection:
The City will request that members of the Aboriginal community submit written nominations for Committee members and
technical advisors. Nominations will be reviewed and Committee members and advisors will be appointed by the City.
The City will appoint staff to support the Committee. A representative from the Mayor's office will also participate.
Technical advisors from the provincial and federal governments will be sought.
City Council will make final decisions regarding the mandate and membership of the Aboriginal Steering Committee.
Term of Service
Committee members shall serve for a two-year term at which time an evaluation of the Committee will be undertaken.
Committee Terms of Reference will be reviewed and revised, if necessary, at that time.
Authority
The Committee is advisory in nature. It has no authority to commit the City or any party to specific courses of actions, or to
initiate activities on its own.
The Committee will be responsible for identifying potential resources. It will have the authority to lobby or otherwise
contact groups which may provide resources to addressing Aboriginal homelessness in Toronto.
The Committee members will not speak on behalf of the City or any Aboriginal agency unless they are specifically asked
to do so in writing.
Accountability
The Committee shall be accountable to the Aboriginal community, its service delivery agencies and the City of Toronto
through regular written reports, the development of an annual work plan, and other means as determined by the Committee.
The Committee will present a yearly report to the City, as well as interim reports as requested. Once final, the yearly report
will be circulated within the Aboriginal community.
Committee members will individually and as a collective endeavour to maintain good communications with the City of
Toronto and the Aboriginal community and its agencies. The Committee will constantly seek input from all concerned and
in particular the Aboriginal agencies which have responsibility for implementing components of the strategy.
The Committee at its first meeting and yearly thereafter will develop a work plan to be distributed to all concerned.
