Item - 2015.CD5.8

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the recommended bed capacities and maximum operating contract values as set out in Appendix A to the report (June 10, 2015) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, which are in accordance with the service levels included in the 2015 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to:

a.  enter into purchase of service agreements with community agencies for the provision of shelter services up to the maximum operating contract values as outlined in Appendix A to the report (June 10, 2015) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration;

b.  enter into a purchase of service agreement with the YMCA of Greater Toronto Area for the establishment of a new permanent 25 bed transitional housing program for LGBTQ2S youth in Ward 20 up to a maximum annualized contract value of $0.545 million, as identified and included in Appendix A;

c.  enter into a purchase of service agreement with Egale Youth Housing Inc. for the establishment of a new permanent 30 bed transitional and emergency housing program for LGBTQ2S youth in Ward 27 up to a maximum annualized contract value of $0.655 million, as identified and included in Appendix A;

d.  issue payments of up to $0.845 million gross and $0 net to motel operators as required for temporary emergency accommodation for families, couples and individuals as outlined in Appendix B to the report (June 10, 2015) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration;

e.  enter into agreements with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Mental Health Program Services of Metropolitan Toronto (Habitat Services) to issue payments up to $10.073 million gross and $1.885 million net for the provision of housing and supports for psychiatric consumer survivors living in Habitat Services contracted boarding or rooming houses as outlined in Appendix B;

f.  enter into an agreement with, and issue payments to the Toronto Hostels Training Centre for the administration and provision of training for shelter, drop-in and other agency staff up to a maximum amount of $0.218 million gross and $0.109 million net as outlined in Appendix B; and

g.  purchase up to $0.060 million gross and net in training for staff of the directly operated shelters from the Toronto Hostels Training Centre, as outlined in Appendix B, in order to meet the training requirements laid out in the Council-approved Toronto Shelter Standards.

The City of Toronto's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) Division provides funding to 49 shelter sites operated by 32 community not-for-profit agencies through purchase of service contracts. In addition, the City has the ability expand the shelter system and provide temporary emergency accommodation to families, couples and individuals through the use of motel beds. The largest community not-for-profit providers of shelter services are the Salvation Army, Homes First Society and Fred Victor Centre.  All programs, regardless of size, must meet the operating requirements set out in both the Toronto Shelter Standards and the purchase of service contracts.  All programs are also evaluated using a Quality Assurance review process. 

There are no financial impacts associated with this report beyond those included in the 2015 Approved Operating Budget for SSHA.