Item - 2017.CD21.14

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the location of a new 51-bed youth transitional program to be operated by YouthLink at 747 Warden Avenue in Ward 35 in accordance with the requirement of the Municipal Shelter By-law 138-2003.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to grant YouthLink up to $1 million to fund renovations and equipment purchases at 747 Warden Avenue to prepare the property for use as a transitional youth program.

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to bring forward a new and enhanced request to establish a new permanent 51-bed transitional program for youth in Ward 35 during the 2018 budget process.

4.  City Council increase the 2017 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration by $1 million gross, zero net, with the funds to be withdrawn from the Social Housing Stabilization Reserve XQ1106.

The purpose of this report is to seek City Council approval for a new 51 bed program for youth in Scarborough (Ward 35) to be operated by YouthLink. This proposed program contributes to the goal of increasing shelter system capacity identified in report CD2.2, "Infrastructure and Service Improvement Plan for the Emergency Shelter System," adopted by City Council March 31, April 1 and 2, 2015. The proposed program meets all the criteria of the Municipal Shelter By-law 138 2003. The community engagement process underway is consistent with the new approach adopted by City Council in April 2017. This program will also comply with the recent Council endorsed recommendations related to a new service model.