Review of the Use of Motels for Homeless Families

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (May 19, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; and further that Councillors Raymond Cho and Olivia Chow be appointed to the steering committee referred to in Recommendation No. (2):

Purpose:

This report requests Committee approval to conduct a review of the current practice of using commercial motels to shelter homeless families.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

None.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Department be authorized to conduct a review of the use of motels for homeless families;

(2) a steering committee be established which is composed of the four City Councillors from Scarborough and two Councillors from the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee.

(3) the consultations seek appropriate input from homeless families, social agencies, Toronto Board of Education, neighbourhood associations and affected City Councillors;

(4) a final report be submitted to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee by the end of 1998; and

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

Council Reference/Background/History:

In October 1987, Metropolitan Council authorized staff to make the necessary arrangements to shelter families in commercial motels. Regular shelters were filled and Council responded to the need to ensure that all families received such emergency assistance. Motels have become a staple of the hostel system since.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The use of motels has drawn mixed reactions. Clearly, after ten years of using these facilities, for overflow from the regular shelters, it is time to review the situation.

Currently, there are almost 800 people staying in 239 rooms in 11 different motels along the Kingston Road corridor. About 440 are dependent children.

On the one hand, motels offer a quick and affordable alternative. Some families indicated that they prefer the privacy offered by motels to that of regular shelters.

On the other hand, increasing lengths of stay and the impact on these families, and the concentration in certain communities have become a cause for concern.

Accordingly, a review of our practice to shelter homeless families in motels is needed. This review would give Council the information required to set a future direction for this important area of service.

Proposed Process and Terms of Reference:

Staff from Social Development Division and Hostel Services Division will be assigned to support two main work activities: the preparation of background research; and the design and implementation of the consultation process.

It is proposed that the background research would cover the following areas:

(1) the history of supporting homeless families in the shelter system and background on the decision to use commercial motels;

(2) the trends and usage patterns of motels over the past ten years, including the current usage;

(3) the comparison of motel usage with existing shelters;

(4) research on the impacts of motel living on families, communities, and schools; and

(5) alternative options.

The consultation process would include inviting families currently in motels, former clients, local neighbourhood organizations, school representatives, and representatives from relevant service agencies (such as CAS) and the Provincial Government to discuss the issues related to the impact of motel usage on families and communities, and possible service alternatives to support homeless families.

Conclusions:

After ten years of continuous use and with growing pressures on the system, it is time to review the use of motels for homeless families and determine the appropriate direction for the future.

Contact Name:

John Jagt, Director of Hostel Services Division

Tel: 392-5358/Fax: 392-8876

E-mail: john_jagt@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca