October 20, 1999

To: Community Services Commitee

From: Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject: Transfer to the City of the Supports to Daily Living Program

Purpose:

The report provides information on the Supports for Daily Living Program that is being transferred from the Provincial to the Municipal level effective January 1, 2000.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Management of the Supports for Daily Living Program will be downloaded to the City of Toronto as of January 1, 2000. Full funding for this $3.4 million program will also be transferred and Provincial staff have indicated that funding will be provided for this program on an ongoing basis. Funds for this program have been included in the 2000 budget for the Shelter, Housing and Support Division , with a $3.4 million increase in the gross budget and no increase in the net budget. Finance staff have been consulted and concur with the impact statement of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Commissioner of Community Services be authorized to enter into an agreement for 2000 with the Province of Ontario for the transfer of management and funding of the Supports for Daily Living Program at a gross cost of $3.4 million to be 100% funded by the Province;

(2) the Commissioner of Community Services be authorized to contract with the agencies identified in this report for the delivery of the Supports for Daily Living Program;

(3) the funding allocations to agencies as identified in this report be maintained for the year 2000 as required by the Ministry of Community and Social Services; and,

(4) this report be forwarded to the Policy and Finance Committee for consideration; and

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

Background:

In March of 1999 the Provincial Government announced the transfer of funding, including administrative control, to the municipalities for the Supports to Daily Living Program (SDL) and the Community Partners Program (CPP). It is the Province's position that the transfer of these programs allows the City of Toronto to co-ordinate programs funded through these two sources and will enhance the City's ability to address homelessness. This report provided information on the SDL and a further report will come forward to committee regarding the CPP.

Comments:

The Supports for Daily Living Program (SDL) has been funded for many years at the Provincial level. SDL is a funding mechanism that allows housing providers or community agencies to provide support services that enable people with special needs to live independently within the community. In addition having low income, individuals supported through this program are generally difficult to house due to their special needs. Participants receive life skills training such as assistance with money management, personal care etc. Assistance is also provided to enable individuals to become connected with appropriate community services. Much of the work of the SDL in Toronto is done with residents of social housing programs.

There are thirteen agencies in the City of Toronto funded through SDL. The Province is requiring that the City maintain existing service levels and contracts during the year 2000. The following is the list of agencies that will be funded in 2000.

Agency Total Allocations

Riverdale Housing Action Group $ 30,008

All Saints/Cornerstone $281,804

Houses Opening Today $ 83,557

Yonge Street Mission $122,296

Ecuhome $957,340

Evangel Hall $108,615

Dixon Hall $176,499

Toronto Christian Resource Centre $ 99,250

Nazareth House $105,371

Woodgreen Community Centre $249,691

Homes First $582,164

Canrise Non-Profit Housing $143,383

YWCA Pape/Humewood $441,266

Total $3,381,244

Conclusions:

The Supports for Daily Living Program will be downloaded to the City of Toronto on January 1, 2000. The Province will transfer funds required for the program and there will be no net impact on the Community Services Department budget. The Ministry is requiring that funding contracts and service levels be maintained at existing levels through the year 2000. Provincial officials have indicated an ongoing commitment to the funding of this program past 2000 but have stated that beginning in 2001 the City will have discretion in choosing service delivery agents, while maintaining service levels. This will allow staff of Community and Neighbourhood Services to review the nature and impact of the program, rationalize its operations with those of other funding programs offered and make recommendations regarding ongoing management of the program.

Contact:

Anne Longair, Policy Development Officer

Shelter Housing and Support

Phone: 392-5417

Fax: 392-8758

Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services