STAFF REPORT
January 28, 2000
To: Community Services Commitee
From: Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services
Subject: Provincial Homelessness Initiatives Funding for Eva's Phoenix
Purpose:
To seek Council authority to receive an additional $250,000 contribution from the Province of Ontario and to allocate this
$250,000 to Eva's Place for Eva's Phoenix, a unique project assisting homeless youth at 11 Ordnance Street.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
In March 1999, the provincial government announced a 1999/2000 allocation of $4.724 million to the City of Toronto from
the Provincial Homelessness Initiatives Fund. The provincial government has recently decided on a one-time increase of
$250,000 to the ceiling for this fund. This will allow the City to provide funds, in the amount of $250,000 to Eva's
Phoenix. There is no net increase to the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund budget.
The Chief Financial Officer has been consulted and concurs with the impact statement of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to contract with the Ministry of
Community and Social Services in order to receive an additional allocation of $250,000 through the Provincial
Homelessness Initiatives Fund;
2) Council authorize a grant of $250,000 to Eva's Place for Eva's Phoenix, using the additional provincial contribution;
3) the report be forwarded to the Policy and Finance Committee for consideration and to the Budget Advisory Committee
secretary for the budget process pending file, in accordance with the Financial Control Protocols adopted by Council; and
4) the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The project's total capital budget has been reduced from the $2,500,000.00 described in the June 1999 Council report to
$2,350,000.00. This is the result of efforts of Eva's Place who have successfully raised $150,000.00 in gifts and kinds (e.g.
construction materials). Although there continues to be a shortfall in the construction budget this report does not seek
additional City funds.
To date the following amounts have been raised: the former City of Toronto Capital Leverage Fund, in 1998, contributed
$500,000.00 and $57,063.00 from the Accessibility Fund in 1999; $600,000.00 has been committed through the
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; the Canadian Auto Workers
donated $325,000.00 to the City for this project and $100,000.00 has been allocated to Eva=s Place through the 1998-9
Provincial Homeless Initiatives Fund. Cash donations total $15,300.00. The project has received tax rebates of $91,500.00
and anticipates an additional $27,500.00.
Eva's Place has given the project a loan of $150,000.00. Although Eva's Place anticipates that a considerable amount of
furnishings will be donated because of the successful Gifts-In Kind campaign to date and that the total budget will be
lowered, they are actively looking for sources for the remaining funds.
Operating funding is covered in the 2000 budget through hostel per diems in Hostel Services of the Shelter, Housing and
Support Division.
Conclusions:
This important project will provide homeless youth with an opportunity to develop the skills necessary to leave hostels and
live independently. As the facility is being renovated, homeless youth have been participating in the construction through a
training project and over 85% have found full-time employment in growth industries as a result of this experience.
This provincial contribution of $250,000 is 100% provincial funds and has no net costs to the City.
Contact:
Anne Hertz
Director, Social Housing
Phone: 397-4160
Fax: 392-0548
Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services
