Proposed Revision to Membership and Mandate of

the Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites

The Community Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (January 6, 2000) from the Chair of the Community Services Committee; and reports having referred the communication dated January 10, 2000, from Councillor Ron Moeser, Scarborough Highland Creek, to the Chair of the Community Services Committee for consideration when canvassing Members of Council, in accordance with Recommendation No. (2):

Purpose:

This report makes recommendations regarding the establishment of a political steering committee to develop political strategies on housing issues.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There is no financial impact resulting from this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the terms of reference of the Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites be expanded to include the development of political strategies on emergency shelter and housing issues;

(2) the Chair of the Community Services Committee canvass existing members of the Advisory Committee to determine whether they are interested in continuing to serve on this committee and that the Chair further canvass other Members of Council to determine whether they may be interested in joining the Advisory Committee; and

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

Background:

At the Community Services Committee meeting of December 1, 1999, a motion was tabled that at its next meeting the Committee consider the establishment of a political steering committee to develop political strategies on housing issues.

Comments:

In July of 1999, Council established the Advisory Committee on New Emergency Shelter Sites. This Advisory Committee, made up of elected representatives, was formed to advise and support staff on the search for and development of additional emergency shelter sites. The current membership of the Committee is:

Councillor Brad Duguid, Chair, Community Services Committee;

Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti, Chair, Administration Committee;

Councillor Irene Jones;

Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski;

Councillor Jack Layton; and

Councillor Pam McConnell.

The Advisory Committee has been actively working with staff on the development of new shelter sites throughout the fall and winter. It is anticipated that the workload of the Advisory Committee will now be somewhat reduced as most new sites have already opened. There is clearly a direct connection between the lack of affordable housing development and the need for new emergency shelter sites. Further, many of the political and community issues regarding shelter establishment are equally relevant in discussions regarding the establishment of housing.

In light of this, and in consideration of the heavy workload of Members of Council, it is proposed that the mandate of the existing Advisory Committee be expanded to include social housing issues.

As this represents a change of focus in the role of the Advisory Committee, it is also recommended that the Chair of the Advisory Committee canvass current members to determine whether they wish to continue on the Advisory Committee. Other Members of Council should also be canvassed as to their interest in participating in the Advisory Committee. Once the Advisory Committee is reconstituted members may wish to consider changing the name of the Committee to reflect this new role.

Conclusion:

This report recommends that, in lieu of establishing a new political committee to develop political strategies on housing issues, the mandate of the Advisory Committee on New Emergency Shelter Sites be expanded to include this role.

Contact:

Shirley Hoy

Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

Tel: 392-8302/Fax: 392-8492

Email - shoy@toronto.ca

The Community Services Committee submits the following communication (December 1, 1999) from the City Clerk:

The Community Services Committee on December 1, 1999, during consideration of a report (November 29, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services respecting the Federal/Ontario Housing Devolution Agreement, tabled the following motion for consideration at its meeting on January 13, 2000:

"That a Political Steering Committee be established to develop political strategies on housing issues."

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The Community Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter a communication (January 10, 2000) from Councillor Ron Moeser, Scarborough Highland Creek, advising of his interest in serving on the proposed Political Steering Committee to develop political strategies on housing issues, if such a Committee is formed.

Councillor Jack Layton, Don River, appeared before the Community Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter; and suggested that the Chair of the Community Services Committee focus on canvassing Members of Council who currently have housing responsibilities.