Health and Safety Allocations for Hostels
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (April
27, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:
Purpose:
To gain Committee and then Council approval to allocate funds to several hostels for their requested health and safety
needs.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The funds for these hostel needs is Provincial money that has been forwarded to the City for distribution to the hostels that
most need it to address their health and safety needs. Hence, there are no financial implications for the City.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the Department of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to administer 100 percent Provincial funds to
hostels for minor capital needs;
(2)the allocations totalling $70,813.95 shown in this report be approved;
(3)80 percent of these amounts be advanced to the hostels as soon as required, with the remaining 20 percent released after
the work is completed and appropriate expenditure documents have been submitted; and
(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
In 1992, the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Community Services Department entered into a legal agreement with
the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) regarding discretionary minor capital allocations for
community-based hostels. Under this agreement, year end money was made available to help hostels with items related to
improved health and safety. Since 1992, the Province has made available to the Hostel Services Division a total of
$691,550.00. We have spent $607,947.02 on badly needed health and safety repairs. Presently, we have a remaining
balance of $83,602.98 with a further commitment from MCSS for dollars again this year.
The Ministry has assisted hostels with minor capital needs for many years. However, they have asked the Department to
assist with these allocations because we are in closer contact with these services and are more knowledgeable about their
specific health and safety needs.
Again, these allocations have a zero net cost to the City.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Department is prepared at this time to proceed with six allocations totalling $70,813.95. This would leave $12,789.03
for other needs identified during the year. The six allocations we want to proceed with at this time are as follows:
Shelter Amount
(1)Redwood(heating upgrades, camera) $ 9,220.75
(2)WoodGreen - The Pines(five flushometers, shower upgrades) 9,250.00
(3)WoodGreen - Lawrence(major plumbing, heating, electrical work) 23,596.39
(4)Fred Victor Women's Shelter (security camera) 1,432.00
(5)Native Men's Residence(kitchen upgrades) 10,314.80
(6)Parkdale Recovery Inc.(building upgrades) 17,000.00
___________
Total $70,813.95
Conclusions:
Hostel Services have met with each group and are satisfied that the above requests reflect their needs. We are pleased to be
in a position to assist them in such time of restraint, at no cost to the City, and ask that these requests be approved.
Contact Name:
John Jagt,
Functional Lead, Hostel Services
Tel: 392-5358
