Item - 2015.EX7.17

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve in principle the modernization and renovation of 389 Church Street over time to create permanent affordable housing consisting of one and two bedroom units with the interim provision of up to eight floors for transitional housing and shelter services for women and children, and authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to undertake additional due diligence and report to Executive Committee and Council in the fall of 2015 on the necessary next steps and capital budget requirements and sources of capital and operating funds required to undertake this initiative, including consideration of Section 37 funding from local developments and third party donations.

2.  City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to continue working with Toronto Community Housing Corporation, the YWCA, WoodGreen Red Door Family Shelter, and the Fred Victor Centre to reach an agreement on such matters as: 

a.  support to be provided to current residents through the overall process;

 

b.  scope and timing of the modernization and renovation plans;

 

c.  capital and operating budget funding sources;

 

d.  oversight and budget control for the modernization and renovation plans;

 

e.  ongoing management of the building; and

 

f.  over-time conversion of the transition and shelter uses at 389 Church Street to permanent housing. 

3.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Director, Real Estate Services to negotiate a long-term lease with Toronto Community Housing Corporation at a nominal cost, which may be assignable to a non-profit operator.

This report recommends that the residential property at 389 Church Street owned by Toronto Community Housing be renovated to create one and two bedroom affordable homes for women and children.  It also proposes that the building provide transitional housing and shelter space for a three to four year period to address the needs of women and children impacted by the need for two community operators to re-locate their housing and shelter services.

The current thirteen-storey building consists of 274 rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities in 66 units.  This housing form is out-dated and has resulted in the building being under-occupied with 78 residents currently living in the building representing roughly a 30% occupancy rate.

The report recommendations propose the building be modernized and renovated over time to create approximately 132 self-contained one and two bedroom units.  Prior to the start of construction existing residents will be provided with a number of housing options including re-locating to new units, re-locating during the construction period, transfers to other housing developments and provision of long-term housing allowances to move to a location of their choice. 

Over the shorter term the report recommends that up to eight floors be set aside to continue to provide one floor for the Fred Victor Centre women's program, and up to seven other floors be renovated to accommodate the YWCA Beatrice House transition housing program and the Red Door WoodGreen Family Shelter women and children's shelter and housing program. On an interim basis this initiative would service clients who were identified as part of the requirement for additional supports to women and children identified in Shelter, Support and Housing Administration’s Shelter Infrastructure Strategy.  The initiative also supports Council's strategic goal of reducing Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s overall capital repair backlog.

After completing more extensive due diligence over the summer, City staff will report to Council in September with more details on the project structure, model, project costs, and sources of funding.