Item - 2016.CD14.10

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the receipt of $3,414,425 from the Province over a two-year period to deliver the Survivors of Domestic Violence - Portable Housing Benefit (SDV-PHB) pilot.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement and related agreement(s) with the Ministry of Housing necessary for the receipt and expenditure of funding under the SDV-PHB pilot program on such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

3.  Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to extend or replace the current administration agreement between the City of Toronto, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (now the Ministry of Housing) and the Ministry of Finance, beyond its current termination date to facilitate the delivery of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 SDV-PHB pilot program on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

4.  City Council amend the Approved 2016 Operating Budgets for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration by $1,228,225 gross, $0 net to deliver the Survivors of Domestic Violence – Portable Housing Benefit pilot and include $2,186,200 gross and $0 net in Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's 2017 recommended budget.

5.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to utilize 10 percent of the funding for administration, an amount of $341,442, the administrative allocation permitted by the Survivors of Domestic Violence - Portable Housing Benefit pilot.

6.  City Council amend the 2016 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) by $42,711 gross and $0 net, and approve staffing expenditures in the 2017 and 2018 (SSHA) budgets of approximately $298,289 gross and $0 net from SDV-PHB pilot administrative allocation, to hire a full time temporary Supervisor, Client Services; Caseworker; and Support Assistant B to assist with the administration of the SDV-PHB Pilot Program.

7.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, as appropriate, to enter into agreements or other suitable arrangements with other City divisions, provincial agencies, community agencies, private entities and/or individuals to deliver the Survivors of Domestic Violence – Portable Housing Benefit pilot in accordance with the provincial guidelines for the program.

The Ministry of Housing (MH) has made $3,414,425 in funding available to the City of Toronto through the Survivors of Domestic Violence - Portable Housing Benefit (SDV-PHB) pilot. The pilot program will provide a monthly housing benefit to survivors of domestic violence in the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) waiting list Special Priority Program (SPP).  The Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division (SSHA) estimates that the funds allocated under this pilot program will assist 355 persons to secure housing up to March 2018.

The SDV-PHB pilot's key goals are to reduce the amount of time it takes for survivors of domestic violence to find safe, affordable housing, as well as to learn which services and supports most effectively enable housing stability. This pilot also supports the Province’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS) to provide more portable housing benefits, enabling people to more quickly find housing in their preferred locations.

The pilot will be administered by Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA). To receive this funding, SSHA is required to enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Ministry of Housing. This report recommends the necessary actions to receive and administer this funding.