Item - 2016.CD12.2

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the acceptance of $42,948,037 from the Province as a one-time capital allocation for renovation and retrofit of eligible social housing buildings to deliver the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program (SHARP).

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to enter into a Transfer Payment or similar Agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for social housing apartment retrofit funding on terms and conditions addressing funding and monitoring, energy audit and reporting requirements satisfactory to the General Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.  City Council amend the 2016 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration  by $1,100,000 gross and $0 net, funded from the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program, to pay for the cost of Ashrae Level 3 energy audits for proposed retrofit projects in order to identify suitable buildings that will be funded under the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program; and authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing, to enter into agreements with non-profit and co-operative housing providers, and /or private sector organizations to carry out the necessary energy audits and evaluations required.

4.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to utilize any administrative funding approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to administer the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program implementation.

5.  City Council amend the 2016 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration by $137,500 gross and $0 net, funded from the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program, to hire a full time temporary Project Manager and Agency Review Officer to assist with the administration of the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program.

6.  City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee in October 2016, with a final list of retrofit projects and funding allocations to social housing providers, to deliver the approved projects in line with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Through Ontario’s Green Investment Fund (OGIF), the Province will make available $82 million for social housing providers across the province to complete retrofit projects which would reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. The City's allocation for the Social Housing Apartment Retrofit Program (SHARP) funding is $42,948,037.

This one-time investment presents a much needed investment in the improved efficiency and reduced carbon footprint of social housing high-rise buildings (150+ units) across the city.

To receive this funding, the City will be required to enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) no later than June 15, 2016.  This report recommends actions necessary to deliver any funding approved.