Development of Youth Shelter Demonstration Project -
11 Ordnance Street, Trinity Niagara Ward
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June 9,
1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:
Purpose:
This report outlines a plan for developing an existing City-owned warehouse at 11 Ordnance Street as a model shelter
project for street youth. The report requests that the building be assigned for shelter purposes.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The Capital Leverage Fund contains $500,000.00 which is available to support the capital costs of this project. These funds
reside in a reserve account created for this purpose.
The 1998 Homeless Initiatives Fund is requesting approval from the Municipal Grants Review Committee for $50,000.00
for the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project which will assist with the development and implementation of this
shelter project. Funds are available in the approved 1998 Consolidated Grants Program Budget. No other operating funds
will be needed in 1998.
Sources of ongoing operating funds are being explored by Hostel Services.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the youth shelter demonstration project be developed at 11 Ordnance Street and staff report back on the progress of this
project;
(2) the existing City-owned site at 11 Ordnance Street be assigned to the Community and Neighbourhood Services
Department for shelter projects;
(3) if and when the property is required for the Front Street Extension, the building will be vacated; and
(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background:
During consideration of the Capital and Operating Budget of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department on
March 30 and 31 and April 2 and 3, 1998, the Budget Committee requested that the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services submit a report to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on the development of
11 Ordnance Street as a model housing project.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Description of 11 Ordnance Street:
11 Ordnance Street is a 33.2m x 57.9m municipally owned site located in the Trinity Niagara Ward (Ward 20), east of
Strachan Avenue, south of King Street West. The site includes a warehouse building which was built in the 1920s with a
ground floor area of 1722.3m2 in a number of large open sections. The overall building is in good repair and the open span
structure of the building means that alternative forms of housing can be built within the shell without extensive structural
changes. In addition, the structure is ideal for two-storey construction within the building as more than 70 percent of the
building has ceiling heights in excess of 20 feet. The northern section of the building was partially renovated this past
winter for a temporary overnight facility for homeless people which closed the end of May 1998. This property has been
surplus to the needs of the municipality for some time, however, there is a long-term plan for the Front Street Extension
which could potentially affect this property. If and when the property is required for the Front Street Extension, the
building will be vacated.
Plan for the Use of 11 Ordnance Street:
After some street youth occupied Nathan Phillips Square in 1996, a group of youth serving agencies and municipal staff
began to look at housing issues. The idea for a project which assists homeless youth to develop the skills necessary to
obtain and maintain housing came out of these and other related discussions over the past two years with more than 15
agencies which work with homeless youth and/or provide housing. Youth themselves have repeatedly indicated that they
need both housing and jobs. This past winter, the plight of one group of homeless youth living in the "Rooster" squat
received national attention and highlighted the need for such services.
This report comments on the key elements of a long term plan to efficiently utilize an existing building to develop a model
transitional housing project for street youth which addresses the cycle of streets, hostels, housing and back to the streets. In
the short term, Women's Residence, a City operated hostel for single women, is using the space from June 1, 1998 to
December 15, 1998, while their permanent hostel undergoes renovations. Thus 11 Ordnance Street will continue to be
utilized for homeless people while the plan for street youth is further developed.
Development of the Program for Street Youth:
The long term plan is for a two tiered project for 50 street youth which will break the cycle of streets, hostels, housing and
back to the streets. The project will primarily assist street youth to develop the skills necessary to get and keep housing and
secondarily develop similar skills to access employment/educational opportunities. Youth will also receive assistance to
access health care. The project will focus on homeless young men and women ages 18-24 years who have demonstrated an
interest in developing housing skills through participation in a hostel program.
The first tier of the project will be a resident assessment area with minimal housing amenities where residents and staff can
plan an approach to skills development. Most residents will stay no longer than six months in this tier and while many will
move into the next stage, others will move directly into housing in the community of their choice.
The second tier will be in five to six houses with shared living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and private bedrooms.
Residents will be able to stay a maximum of 12 months and will further develop the skills necessary to find and keep
housing and a job. There will be additional interior common multipurpose space to compensate for the lack of exterior yard
space. Uses of this space would include social/recreational activities and community economic development projects.
The City will work with an experienced agency to develop this project and will work in partnership with other programs in
order to promote linkages to existing resources. Street youth who are potential residents will be consulted through the
efforts of this lead agency in collaboration with the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project, a project funded
through the City's Homeless Initiatives Fund. Staff have already met with a small group of agencies who have indicated
interest in participating in the development of a project such as this. These agencies will be invited to the project's Resource
Working Group which is being organized immediately to work with the City to further develop the model and to address
issues such as consultation with key stakeholders and program evaluation. Participants will include community agencies
with expertise in operating youth hostels, housing projects, employment programs for street youth and health care services
for street youth and will ensure that this project is strongly connected to the appropriate sectors.
A notice is being sent to community agencies working with homeless youth and which currently receive municipal funding
asking them to indicate their interest in being selected as the lead agency. The selection criteria for the lead agency will
include demonstrated ability to work with street youth to provide effective services, demonstrated ability to collaborate
with other youth serving programs and a history of accountable relationships with the municipalities.
By the end of 1998 the following will be accomplished: the City, the lead agency, and the Resource Working Group will
have further developed the program model; a building design will be developed with input from the City, the lead agency,
the Resource Working Group, and some potential residents; a Building Permit will have been issued, and renovations will
be underway. Appendix A contains a development plan with deadlines.
Staff have consulted with the local ward councillors regarding this plan and will keep them updated as the project moves
forward.
Budget Implications:
The City's capital contribution of $500,000.00 will provide a modest facility with minimal amenities, however, staff will
work with the lead agency and Resource Working Group to fundraise furnishings, equipment and other requirements. The
City's funds will also lever donations of labour and materials/furnishings from the private sector and service club
organizations and resources from the other levels of government.
The 1998 Homeless Initiatives Fund request for $50,000.00 for the Youth Street Survivors Housing Support Project is
currently before the Municipal Grants Review Committee and, as part of its intensive housing help to street youth
survivors, includes support for the development of the Transitional Housing/Extended Shelter Project and assistance to
residents during the implementation of the Transitional Housing Project.
No other operating funds will be needed in 1998. Sources of ongoing operating funds are being explored by Hostel
Services.
Conclusions:
Staff have identified the need for a model shelter project for street youth which breaks the cycle of streets, hostels, housing
and back to the streets. This project will assist 50 street youth to develop the skills necessary to get and keep housing and
jobs. This site, 11 Ordnance Street, is surplus to the current needs of the City and should be assigned to Community and
Neighbourhood Services. Staff will be reporting back on the progress of this project.
Contact Name:
Joanne Campbell
Interim Functional Lead, Housing
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Appendix A
Project Development
Key Steps: Critical Path:
Project Development:
- Establish the Resource Working Group June-July 1998
- Select the lead agency June 1998
Building Development:
- Tender and hire building design June-July 1998
- Working drawings August-September 1998
- Tender and hire contractor July-August 1998
- Building permit application September-October 1998
Construction:
- Site preparation and construction November 1998-April 1999
Site Vacated:
- Women's Residence moves
back to their renovated building December 15, 1998
