Item - 2013.CD24.8
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Community Development and Recreation Committee on October 28, 2013 and was adopted with amendments.
CD24.8 - Re-establishing a Tenant Issues Subcommittee
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 31 - Beaches-East York
Committee Decision
The Community Development and Recreation Committee:
1. Established a Tenant Issues Subcommittee with Terms of Reference as follows:
a. The Subcommittee will have a membership of 3 members of the Community Development and Recreation Committee.
b. The Subcommittee will make recommendations to and report through the Community Development and Recreation Committee.
c. The Subcommittee will meet a maximum of 4 times per year.
d. The Subcommittee Interim Terms of Reference will be to:
i. Receive reports from staff on the disposition of the Tenant Defence Fund grants and outcomes related to above-guideline rent applications and other uses of the grants;
ii. Receive reports on the "automatic rent reduction" related to property assessment;
iii. Provide advice on the service levels for the Tenant Defence Fund;
iv. Provide opportunities for tenants to comment on staff reports that come before Committee and Council on issues that affect tenants such as Tower Renewal and other tenant related initiatives;
v. Provide advice on provincial policy and legislative changes affecting tenants in Toronto for the purpose of informing a City position or submission.
2. Appointed Councillors Maria Augimeri, Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam to the Subcommittee
3. Requested the Subcommittee to convene its first meeting in January to hear deputations from tenants, tenant organizations, and the general public on the terms of reference of the sub-committee.
4. Requested the Subcommittee to report on the outcome of the Subcommittee meeting in January, 2014 to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on March 17, 2014 with any proposed changes to the terms of reference and any additional resources necessary to support its work.
Origin
Summary
Over half of Toronto's residents are tenants. Whether they live in a high-rise apartment or condominium buildings, above a store or in a house, tenants rely on the City and its services in many ways. Tenants have a demographic profile with needs and concerns that are different from property owners.
Recent reports by the United Way and others identified the growing inequality in apartment neighbourhoods. The affordability of rents, the state of repair of buildings, safety, and access to transit and other services are just some of the issues tenants struggle with every day.
Between 1999 and 2010, the City had a subcommittee that discussed and made recommendations on tenant issues to the Community Development and Recreation Committee. The first Tenant Defence Committee was established in 1999 to consider and allocate Tenant Defence grants for tenant groups to fight above-guideline rent increases, and to support tenant outreach and education. In subsequent years, the Tenant Defence Committee gave advice to Committee on a number of tenant-specific issues such as electricity sub-metering.
The voice of tenants has been absent at City Hall for too long. I believe the Community Development and Recreation Committee should establish, once again, a subcommittee focused on issues affecting tenants.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-62950.pdf
Speakers
Motions
That Councillors Maria Augimeri, Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam be appointed to the Subcommittee on Tenant Issues.