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Terms of Reference for the Homeless Strategy Task Force
The Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team recommends the adoption of the Terms of Reference for the Homeless Strategy Task Force, embodied in the following communication (February 20, 1998) from Councillor Jack Layton, Chair, Homeless Strategy Task Force:
On January 2,6 and 8, 1998, Council adopted Report No. 1 of the Striking Committee. In doing so, Council established a number of task forces including the Homeless Strategy Task Force. Having been appointed Chair of this Task Force, I am submitting a report on the Terms of Reference, including the proposed composition, through your Special Committee.
This report has been prepared in close consultation with Mayor Lastman, his staff, the new AHomeless Action Task Force@ and its chair Dr. Anne Golden and many others.
Naturally, the proliferation of groups working on the homelessness crisis creates an element of confusion. This report attempts to dispel confusion and provide for Council an orderly process for developing, evaluating, coordinating and recommending to Council strategies, policies and programmes to deal with the housing crisis our city currently faces.
(1) Name of the Committee:
This report proposes that a core group of Councillors be constituted and called: the Council Strategy Committee For People Without Homes. This nomenclature has been developed through the wide-ranging discussions in academic and homeless advocacy circles in North America and was recommended by Professor David Hulchanski, University of Toronto=s housing policy expert.
(2) Duration:
This Committee will make periodic as well as annual reports to the Standing Committee on Community and Neighbourhood Services. While it would be wonderful to suggest a date when the mandate of this Committee would have been fulfilled, I do not think that any of us would be willing to set that date today. I know that all Members of Council agree that one homeless person is too many and we will want to continue our work accordingly.
Members should note here that Dr. Anne Golden=s Task Force, announced by the Mayor in January, is scheduled to complete its work in 12 months. I would expect that many of its recommendations will then be passed to the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes for implementation.
(3) Mandate:
The Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes will:
(a) serve as Council=s vehicle for developing, evaluating, coordinating and recommending to Council strategies, policies and programmes to deal with the housing crisis our city currently faces:
(b) report regularly to Council=s Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee with recommendations;
(c) receive and assess communications, studies and recommendations from the Homelessness Action Task Force (Chaired by Dr. Anne Golden), the Alternative Housing and Services Committee, the Advisory Committee on Homeless and Socially Isolated Persons, the Housing Stakeholders= Panel (to be re-constituted) as well as the public. Note: a detailed description of these various organizations appears below;
(d) assist in the coordination of initiatives to ensure the most effective use of resources;
(e) develop innovative housing supply strategies and demonstration projects with the help of housing staff, the development community and community experts;
(f) review and recommend proposals and programmes for addressing the full range of emergency needs of people without homes; and
(g) provide political leadership and build momentum for an all-level government and community response to all aspects of the homelessness crisis.
(4) Membership:
It is proposed that this Committee consist of Councillors. Community input to the Council Strategy Committee will be effectively provided through existing committees which will continue as well as the new Homelessness Action Task Force.
An invitation is extended to all Councillors to participate. To this point, the following Councillors are recommended: Mike Tzekas, Bill Saundercook, Gordon Chong (Chair of Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee), Jack Layton, Chair.
(5) Chairperson: Councillor Layton
(6) Staffing and Resources:
The Committee will require the appropriate level of staffing from the Clerk=s Department. In addition, a designated staff person from the Community Services Department should be provided to coordinate the work of the Committee. As well, relevant departments will be asked to provide their expertise and staff support for particular aspects of the work of the Committee. In particular, the housing policy sections and the hostel services sections of the new city=s administration should have dedicated staff assigned to the Committee.
No special financial resources are expected to be required for the Committee itself beyond the usual coffee budget.
Several entities will be continuing their work and reporting through the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes:
Advisory Committee on Homeless and Socially Isolated Persons: This large group of front line workers, agencies, city staff and Councillors has met for two years, created initially by Metro Council under the leadership of Councillor Dennis Fotinos. I have served as Co-Chair and have been encouraged by Advisory Committee Members to continue in that role.
Meeting monthly, the group has spawned a wide range of initiatives: the homeless emergency fund, the evictions prevention campaign, the Housing Stakeholders= Panel, the ATicket to Ride@ campaign, the expansion of hostels and use of municipal buildings for emergency shelter, as well as a major forum on mental health issues and homelessness. Many other recommendations have been brought forward by the Advisory Committee to the former Metro Council. This forum has accomplished its work through the creation of very action oriented task groups and sub-committees. This will be its continued mode of operation.
Alternative Housing and Services Committee: the organization with the longest history of working in this field, this was a sub-committee of the former City of Toronto=s Neighbourhoods Committee and developed innovative housing approaches for Toronto=s homeless, isolated and hard to house folks for two decades. Chaired by Bob Yamashita of our housing staff, this committee is proposed to continue as a sub-committee of the new Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes. Its membership has always been open to a range of community members and staff from several departments. A good working relationship and division of labour has evolved between this sub-committee and the Advisory Committee mentioned above.
Housing Stakeholders= Panel: Formerly chaired by Councillor Dennis Fotinos. The Panel consisted of leading participants in the private rental housing sector (both tenants and landlords, large and small), experts in non-profit housing, housing policy specialists as well as staff and Councillors. The report from this Stakeholders= Panel suggested recommendations focused on how to facilitate the construction of lower rent private sector rental stock. Its excellent recommendations were heralded by the Toronto Star, endorsed by Metro Council and adopted in large measure by many candidates in the municipal election, including both major contenders for Mayor.
It is proposed that the Housing Stakeholder Panel be reconvened to pursue its mandate further and to continue to provide expert advice on this important sector. The Stakeholder Panel should also be asked to turn its attention to the lowest income groups which the Panel acknowledged could not be served by private sector rental housing providers. It is proposed that the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes reconvene the Stakeholders= Panel with the help of City housing staff.
The Homelessness Action Task Force: Chaired by Anne Golden, the terms of reference for this 12 month Task Force is attached. You are asked to note its reporting structure on page 12. Also attached is the Background Paper for the Homelessness Action Task Force which will also serve as a basic research for the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes.
(7) Process and Workplan:
This Committee will meet monthly. Typical agendas will consist of material from the various organizations mentioned above. Early meetings will also involve reviewing presentations and background material. Current emergencies such as the sale of OHC scattered units, rapid increase in the eviction rate and other matters will be addressed.
Thank you for considering these proposals.
(A copy of the publication, entitled "Background Paper for the Homelessness Action Task Force", prepared for Dr. Anne Golden, President, United Way of Greater Toronto by Ms. Barbara Emanuel and Mr. Greg Suttor - January 14, 1998, and the organization chart, entitled "Toronto City Council's Homelessness Policy-Making", which was attached to the foregoing communication from Councillor Jack Layton, was forwarded to all Members of Council and select officials only with the February 26, 1998, agenda of the Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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