Item - 2015.CD1.6
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on February 10, 2015 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Community Development and Recreation Committee on January 15, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on February 10, 2015.
CD1.6 - Homelessness and Cold Weather
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on February 10 and 11, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council approve the staff driven emergency strategy to purchase blocks of hotel/motel rooms from approved vendors so that homeless persons in City of Toronto shelters can be moved to such room that space and capacity is generated in the shelter system.
2. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Board of Health no later than the June 29, 2015 meeting on the discretion built into the current City's Cold Weather Protocols and if there is any need to amend the policy titled "Comprehensive Cold Weather Protocols and Cold Weather Health Impacts in Toronto" (Item HL32.3), which Council adopted on July 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2014, in order to respond effectively to the City's homeless population.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the May 21, 2015 meeting of the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the feasibility of operating additional drop-in and/or warming services during the 2016 winter season, complimenting and supplementing the Out of the Cold program and schedule, regardless of any issuance of Extreme Cold Weather Alerts.
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to provide quarterly reports to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the adequacy of beds and drop-in services to ensure that the 90 percent occupancy target in all sectors of the emergency shelter system is achieved at all times.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-74692.pdf
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-75665.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/comm/communicationfile-50667.pdf
(January 15, 2015) Letter from Anne Egger, NP, on behalf of Health Providers Against Poverty (CD.New.CD1.6.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/comm/communicationfile-50689.pdf
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/comm/communicationfile-50941.pdf
(January 15, 2015) Letter from Tim Maguire, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 79 (CC.Main.CD1.6.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/comm/communicationfile-50942.pdf
(January 15, 2015) Letter from Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 10 York Centre (CC.New.CD1.6.5)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/comm/communicationfile-51127.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the May 21, 2015 meeting of the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the feasibility of operating additional drop-in and/or warming services during the 2016 winter season, complimenting and supplementing the Out of the Cold program and schedule, regardless of any issuance of Extreme Cold Weather Alerts.
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to provide quarterly reports to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the adequacy of beds and drop-in services to ensure that the 90 percent occupancy target in all sectors of the emergency shelter system is achieved at all times.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Feb-11-2015 3:38 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - CD1.6 - Wong-Tam - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 27 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 14 | Members that voted No are John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Gary Crawford, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Rob Ford, Stephen Holyday, Norman Kelly, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, John Tory |
| Total members that were Absent: 4 | Members that were absent are Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Ron Moeser, Michael Thompson |
That City Council amend Community Development and Recreation Committee Recommendation 2 by adding the words "no later than the June 29, 2015 meeting" after the words "Board of Health" so that it now reads as follows:
2. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Board of Health no later than the June 29, 2015 meeting on the discretion built into the current City's Cold Weather Protocols and if there is any need to amend the policy titled "Comprehensive Cold Weather Protocols and Cold Weather Health Impacts in Toronto" (Item HL32.3), which Council adopted on July 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2014, in order to respond effectively to the City's homeless population.
Vote (Amend Item) Feb-11-2015 3:37 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - CD1.6 - Cressy - motion 2 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 40 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Giorgio Mammoliti |
| Total members that were Absent: 4 | Members that were absent are Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Ron Moeser, Michael Thompson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Feb-11-2015 3:40 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - CD1.6 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 39 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Rob Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti |
| Total members that were Absent: 4 | Members that were absent are Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Ron Moeser, Michael Thompson |
CD1.6 - Homelessness and Cold Weather
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:
1. City Council approve the staff driven emergency strategy to purchase blocks of hotel/motel rooms from approved vendors so that homeless persons in City of Toronto shelters can be moved to such room that space and capacity is generated in the shelter system.
2. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Board of Health on the discretion built into the current City's Cold Weather Protocols and if there is any need to amend the policy titled "Comprehensive Cold Weather Protocols and Cold Weather Health Impacts in Toronto" (Item HL32.3), which Council adopted on July 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2014, in order to respond effectively to the City's homeless population.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Community Development and Recreation Committee requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with appropriate officials, to report directly to City Council on the adequacy of beds and drop-in services available to homeless persons during this winter season and strategies that have been implemented immediately to reduce the occupancy levels of shelters to 90 percent in each sector.
Origin
Summary
The recent deaths of homeless persons have alerted Torontonians to the issue of the inadequacy of shelter and drop-in services for homeless and socially isolated persons. It is becoming clear that their needs are not being met especially during the winter season. The two key issues that require immediate attention are:
1. The lack of shelter beds in a number of categories.
2. The delay in the execution of the Council-approved directive to open two drop-in centres for women until the early Spring. Homeless women need an immediate temporary solution for this winter.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/bgrd/backgroundfile-74692.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/comm/communicationfile-50667.pdf
(January 15, 2015) Letter from Anne Egger, NP, on behalf of Health Providers Against Poverty (CD.New.CD1.6.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cd/comm/communicationfile-50689.pdf
Speakers
Reverend Maggie Helwig, Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields
Archbishop Terry Finlay, (Retired), Anglican Church of Toronto
Greg Cook, Outreach Sanctuary
Bradley Harris, Executive Director, Salvation Army, Toronto Housing and Homeless Supports
Jessica Hales, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
Jessica Slotnick, Community Mental Health Worker, Street Health
Susan Gapta
Iola Fortino
Mercy Okalowe
Brian DuBourdieu
Gerald Graeber
Councillor Pam McConnell
Motions
That the item be forwarded to City Council without recommendation.
That the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with appropriate officials, report directly to City Council on the adequacy of beds and drop-in services available to homeless persons during this winter season and strategies that can be implemented immediately to reduce the occupancy levels of shelters to 90 percent in each sector.
That City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Board of Health on the discretion built into the current City's Cold Weather Protocols and if there is any need to amend the policy which Council adopted in July 2014, titled "Comprehensive Cold Weather Protocols and Cold Weather Health Impacts in Toronto" (Item HL32.3) in order to respond effectively to the City's homeless population.
That City Council approve the staff driven emergency strategy to purchase blocks of hotel/motel rooms from approved vendors so that homeless persons in City of Toronto shelters can be moved to such room that space and capacity is generated in the shelter system.