Item - 2016.CD12.3

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt the positions on proposed amendments to the Housing Services Act and associated regulations to Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (May 3, 2016) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and/or his designate to engage in further consultation and input as more technical information is released by the Province.

The provincial government released Ontario's Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS) Update in March 2016. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is proposing a number of amendments to legislation over the next 12 months to support changes to the housing system that are consistent with the themes of the LTAHS Update. Key provincial actions are legislative and regulatory amendments to the Housing Services Act associated regulations and the Ontario Housing Policy Statement, which provide a legislative framework for housing services in Ontario, as well as the eventual introduction of enabling legislation for inclusionary zoning.

This report provides preliminary analysis on the proposed changes, and seeks direction from City Council to provide further comments on the City's position on legislative and regulatory amendments to the Housing Services Act when more technical information has been released by the Province. A separate staff report will be brought forward by City staff on inclusionary zoning once additional information is released by the Province. While some of the proposed amendments to the Housing Services Act and associated regulations include welcome changes that give the City of Toronto and other Municipal Service Managers more flexibility to meet local needs and reduce administrative burden, many of the substantial changes required to transform and modernize the social housing system have not been addressed by the Province. MMAH has stated that further changes will be considered over the next 18 to 24 months.

Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff will participate in ongoing consultation processes to provide comment on specific legislative and regulatory changes and continue to encourage the federal and provincial governments develop a fully-funded affordable housing strategy with sustainable, ongoing funding and flexibility to meet local needs, consistent with Council's requests.