Item - 2014.EX44.21
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on August 20, 2014 and was adopted without amendment.
EX44.21 - Proposed Consultation Plan on Rooming Houses
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Executive Committee directed that:
1. The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to Executive Committee by June 2015 on issues, preliminary findings and a discussion paper on rooming houses after undertaking research and extensive community-based consultations.
2. The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to form an Interdivisional Rooming House Working Group with a mandate to undertake a review of and make recommendations related to rooming houses, including, but not limited to: City Planning, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Building, Toronto Fire Services, the Office of Emergency Management, Legal Services, the Affordable Housing Office, Shelter Support and Housing Administration, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and Toronto Public Health.
Origin
Summary
This report provides a framework through which research and consultation will be conducted to identify the extent of issues and opportunities related to rooming houses.
Within the current environment, there has been an increasing number of complaints related to community impacts and significantly impaired life safety conditions in neighbourhoods where illegal rooming houses operate. The challenges inherent to the current regime have been evidenced by a number of incidents, primarily fire-related, where injuries and fatalities have occurred. In these instances, not only has the safety of the occupants of the property been jeopardized, but also, the safety of neighbours and the local community.
Staff have encountered unsafe living conditions including: homes where the density of occupants is beyond the capacity of the building to provide healthy or safe living conditions; accommodations that are substantially below those required by Building and Fire Codes; and individuals residing in buildings with significantly diminished standards and not suited for human occupancy.
This report recommends a four-phase work plan to review thoroughly the current issues and the regulatory structure around rooming houses, and to identify opportunities and strategies to address community impact and life safety concerns. Phase 1 will focus on research and analysis by the Interdivisional Working Group and preparation for consulting with key stakeholders and members of the public. In Phase 2, community-based consultations will be held, offering various opportunities to participate in person, online and through written submissions. In Phase 3, the preliminary findings will be incorporated into a discussion paper with recommendations for consideration by Executive Committee, expected by June 2015. In Phase 4, based on results of a second round of consultations, a final report with recommendations will be submitted to Executive Committee, expected by December 2015.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-72571.pdf
Communications
(August 8, 2014) E-mail from Pierre Taillon (EX.Main.EX44.21.2)
(August 19, 2014) E-mail from Phil Nazar (EX.New.EX44.21.3)
Speakers
Phil Nazar, Toronto Christian Resource Centre
Councillor Shelley Carroll
Councillor Gord Perks
Councillor Frances Nunziata