Item - 2017.CD21.16

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to increase capacity of Winter Respite Services that focus on people experiencing homelessness who do not traditionally access shelter beds.

2.  City Council approve continuous operation of Winter Respite Services for the duration of the winter season, November 15 to April 15.

3.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to hire 0.9 full time equivalent (FTE) temporary staff for the amount of $64,000 for 2017 and 2 full time equivalent temporary staff for the amount of $136,000 for 2018 to provide additional housing access services for Winter Respite Service clients.

4.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to enter into agreements with community agencies to operate Winter Respite Services, and access up to $6.094 million from the Social Housing Federal Reserve XR2105, as generally set out in Attachment 1 to the report (May 24, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration:

a.  from November 15 to December 31, 2017 for up to $2.695 million; and

b.  from January 1 to March 31, 2018 for up to $3.399 million.

5.  City Council increase the 2017 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration by $2.695 million gross, zero net, and an additional 0.9 full time equivalent. The funds to be withdrawn from the Social Housing Federal Reserve XR2105.

6. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to include a business case in the 2018 budget process which includes the remaining $3.399 million and 2 full time equivalent to be funded by Social Housing Federal Reserve XR2105.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to convene a meeting with the Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness to review the concerns of deputants regarding the expansion of the Out of the Cold Program and report directly to the July 5, 2017 City Council meeting on the outcomes of the discussion.

This report provides an overview of the Winter Respite Services provided over 2016/2017 winter season and recommends a number of pilot actions to increase capacity and improve effectiveness of the services available next winter including extension of the dates for continuous operation of Winter Respite Services, increasing capacity of Winter Respite Programs by adding additional locations, as well as expansion of Out of the Cold program.

The report also recommends a number of improvements to Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's (SSHA) Winter Respite Services approach, including enhancing coordinated referral processes, data collection and measurement, increased housing access and support services for service users and enhancing winter respite service planning.