Item - 2013.CD22.7

This report provides an update on the implementation to date of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020 (TSNS 2020), which was adopted by Council in March 2012.  A final report on the roll out of the Strategy will be considered by the Community Development and Recreation Committee at its December 3, 2013 meeting, and full implementation of the Strategy will begin in 2014.

Much of the work required to implement TSNS 2020 has taken place as a part of Urban HEART @Toronto, a research project of the City, the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, United Way Toronto and other community partners.  The project is now nearing completion, and its results will be used to establish measures in five policy areas that TSNS 2020 will set targets against:  Physical Environment and Infrastructure, Social and Human Development, Economic Opportunity, Governance, and Health. 

Urban HEART @Toronto measures will be used to identify a series of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) for focused City attention.  Consultations with residents, Councillors, community and government funders, the private sector, the community sector, and City Divisions, Agencies and Corporations, will be held in September and focus on four key issues:

1.         How should the Urban HEART @Toronto indicators be used to set criteria and select Neighbourhood Improvement Areas?

2.         What targets should the City set for its performance against these indicators?

3.         What additional criteria should be considered to select Neighbourhood Improvement Areas?

4.         What information should the City track and report to understand whether its efforts are making a difference in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and other neighbourhoods?

A maximum of twelve NIAs and regular reporting on the wellbeing of neighbourhoods against the measures developed by Urban HEART @Toronto can be supported within existing resources.  The report describes the estimated resources required to support additional NIAs and evaluate the Strategy's impact.  The Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration will report to the September 18, 2013 meeting of the Community Development and Recreation Committee on options and priorities to ensure the Strategy's broader implementation.