The Budget Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

1.         City Council authorize an increase of $0.870 million gross and $0 net to the 2014 Approved Operating Budget of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to include the  2014 funding requirements for the Toronto Housing Allowance program.

2.         City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to negotiate and enter into the necessary agreements with the Province, Ministry of Finance in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor to administer the 2014 housing allowance funding  requirements under the terms of the new Housing Allowance Program.

In October 2013, Council approved a one-time transfer of $3.700 million to the new Housing Allowance Reserve, XQ1112 established to facilitate the delivery of a new time-limited housing allowance program to assist up to 260 homeless and at-risk seniors' households in Toronto.

Drawing on the proven program delivery model in place for the Toronto Transitional Housing Allowance Program (TTHAP), staff will enter into an agreement to administer a new time-limited housing allowance program through a partnership with the Ministry of Finance.

This report seeks Council approval to increase the 2014 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) by $0.870 million gross and zero net, funded from the Housing Allowance Reserve. The reserve was established to hold housing allowance funding for individuals at risk of homelessness. This adjustment is required to fund the time-limited housing allowance program to support homeless and at-risk seniors' households.

The report also requests authority to negotiate and enter into the necessary agreements with the Province, Ministry of Finance, to administer the housing allowances as described in the Issues Section under Program Administration.

There will be no net impact to the City.

In October 2013, Council approved one-time transfer of $3.700 million to the new Housing Allowance Reserve, XQ1112. The reserve was established to facilitate the delivery of a new time-limited housing allowance program and assist up to 260 homeless and at-risk seniors' households in Toronto. Funding for this time-limited program is available from the 2013 allocation of the under-spending from the Housing Stabilization Fund, which commenced in 2013. 

The 2014 gross budget adjustment of $0.870 million will be funded by a draw from the Housing Allowance Reserve, XQ1112, which currently has a balance of $3.700 million. Funding will be transferred from SSHA to the Province for administration by the Ministry of Finance.

Housing Allowance program impacts for 2015 and beyond will be reported through the City's annual operating budget process, with funding projections based on anticipated client needs.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.