2014-05-15 Decision Letter - Affordable Housing Committee

The Affordable Housing Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

1. City Council approve up to $0.850 million in financial assistance for the capital repairs of a Toronto Community Housing property to provide transitional housing for young women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking from the Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104).

2. City Council authorize the City to enter into a funding agreement with Toronto Community Housing or such other associated parties as the City deems appropriate, for the delivery and administration of the capital repair funding being provided from the City's Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104), on terms and conditions determined by the Director, Affordable Housing Office, and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

3. City Council authorize the Director, Affordable Housing Office, to execute the funding agreement and any other agreements or documents required to give effect to the foregoing.

4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to execute any documents required to register security for the capital repair funding and to postpone, confirm the status of, and discharge the security when and if necessary.

5. City Council approve a one-time increase in the 2014 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration of $0.850 million gross $0 net to provide funding for this initiative.

On October 29, 2013, the Affordable Housing Committee requested staff investigate and report on creating a housing pilot project for young women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This report responds to that request and recommends a course of action.

Over the past six months staff have worked with Toronto Community Housing and identified a vacant TCH building suitable for housing five to six young women who are transitioning from homelessness and are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Toronto Community Housing has also identified an established charitable service agency in the area to manage and operate the building upon completion of necessary repairs and renovations. Due to fire damage, the building's interior requires complete refurbishment, including electrical, plumbing and heating systems.

Toronto Community Housing has estimated capital costs of up to $0.850 million to undertake and complete the building repairs and renovations. TCH has requested the City’s support in providing the necessary capital funds. Upon completion the building will be leased to the service agency that will be responsible for managing and operating the home. There will be no operating subsidy required from the City.

Recognizing the need to protect the safety and security of future residents, the location of the home and name of the service agency are treated as a confidential matter in this report.

This report recommends approval of up to $0.850 million to support Toronto Community Housing with the capital repairs for this initiative from the Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104). The uncommitted balance of XR1104 after this allocation will be $0.058 million.

Funding for this initiative is within the mandate of the Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund, as the purpose of this fund is to help stabilize the housing of homeless people or those in identified high-risk groups by providing one-time capital support to suitable projects that have short timeframes to completion.

The transfer of $0.850 million for the capital improvement to the TCH facility will result in the need to amend the 2014 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter Support and Housing Administration to $645,498.3 million gross $197,515.8 million net.

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

Meeting No.	8	Contact	Jennifer Forkes, Committee Administrator
Meeting Date	Thursday, May 15, 2014	Phone	416-392-4666
Start Time	2:00 PM	E-mail	ah@toronto.ca
Location	Committee Room 1, City Hall	Chair	Councillor Ana Bailão

Committee Decision
The Affordable Housing Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council approve up to $0.850 million in financial assistance for the capital repairs of a Toronto Community Housing property to provide transitional housing for young women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking from the Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104). 2. City Council authorize the City to enter into a funding agreement with Toronto Community Housing or such other associated parties as the City deems appropriate, for the delivery and administration of the capital repair funding being provided from the City's Homeless Initiative Reserve Fund (XR1104), on terms and conditions determined by the Director, Affordable Housing Office, and in a form approved by the City Solicitor. 3. City Council authorize the Director, Affordable Housing Office, to execute the funding agreement and any other agreements or documents required to give effect to the foregoing. 4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to execute any documents required to register security for the capital repair funding and to postpone, confirm the status of, and discharge the security when and if necessary. 5. City Council approve a one-time increase in the 2014 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration of $0.850 million gross $0 net to provide funding for this initiative.