Item - 2017.CD23.12

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that: 

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration to develop a refugee capacity plan, in consultation with appropriate City staff, Provincial and Federal representatives and report back in the second quarter of 2018 with an implementation plan that includes consultation and  partnerships with the refugee shelters and houses in Toronto.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or his designate, to take the following actions:

a.  increase and extend the existing purchase order with Quality Hotel and Suites (Purchase Order 6044837) by $9,700,000 from November 1, 2017 until December 31, 2018 for the provision of hotel and food service;

b.  increase and extend the existing contract with Alternative Living Solutions Inc.- Toronto Plaza Hotel (Contract 47020406) by $1,400,000 from November 1, 2017 until  December 31, 2018 for the provision of hotel service;

c.  increase and extend the existing contract with Alternative Living Solutions Inc. - Toronto Plaza Hotel (Contract 47020322) by $2,300,000 from November 1, 2017 until December 31, 2018 for the provision of food service;

d.  increase and extend the existing contract with Radisson Hotel (Contract 6045121) by $3,100,000 from November 1, 2017 until  December 31, 2018 for the provision of hotel service;

e.  increase and extend the existing contract with Radisson Hotel (Contract 6045120) by $3,100,000 from November 1, 2017 until  December 31, 2018 for the provision of food service; and

f.  enter into an agreement with COSTI Immigrant Services to increase and extend by $1,200,000 to staff and manage the shelter programs being run out of the Quality Hotel and Suites and Radisson Hotel for the period until December 31, 2018.

3.  City Council request the Federal Government increase its capacity to process refugee claims so that it can meet the legislated timelines.

4.  City Council request the Provincial Government re-introduce funding mechanisms to offset the cost of sudden and prolonged increases in demand for emergency shelter space in Toronto.

5. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the November 20, 2017 Community Development and Recreation Committee meeting on the feasibility to establish an interim 24/7 assessment and referral centre for homeless families, so that a safe space is provided where families can receive immediate support and secure emergency shelter space.

6. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the April 12, 2018 Community Development and Recreation Committee meeting on the strategy for addressing refugee capacity when extended contracts expire at the end of 2018, such strategy to include engagement with organizations and agencies currently working with refugees.

7. City Council commit to expediting this refugee capacity plan through its development and implementation to ensure that the necessary resources are available to successfully execute the plan.

Over the past two decades, there have been significant fluctuations in the number of refugee claimants coming to Toronto. From a considerable decline some five years ago, there has been a marked increase in arrivals that started in late 2015, and intensified in 2017. These surges and their unpredictability create significant pressures on the shelter system, often stretching the system's capacity beyond its limits. More recently, these surges have also exposed the need for the City to create capacity to deal with them in a more systemic way.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with an update on the City's response to the significant increase in the number of people arriving to Toronto to make a refugee claim and the particular impact on the emergency shelter system. The report also seeks City Council authority to amend five (5) existing non-competitive documents - 3 purchase orders (#'s 6044837 and 6045120, 6045121) and two (2) blanket contracts (#47020322 and 47020406) - to allow the City to continue the response needed to support refugees claimants for the period November 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018 for   $19,600,000 net of HST ($19,944,960 net of HST recoveries). In addition, it seeks Council authority for SSHA to amend its existing agreement with COSTI Immigrant Services (a community agency) to oversee the operations at two hotel sites.

This report also includes information about purchase order amendments, currently being reviewed for approval amending the above noted aforementioned purchasing documents in the total amount of $4,300,000 net of HST ($4,375,680 net of HST recoveries).

City Council approval is required for the estimated value of $19,600,000 net of HST ($19,944,960 net of HST recoveries). City Council approval is required in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 195-Purchasing, where the current request exceeds the Chief Purchasing Official's authority of the cumulative five year commitment limit for each vendor under Article 7, Section 195-7.3 (D) of the Purchasing By-Law or exceeds the threshold of $500,000 net of HST allowed under staff authority as per the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 71-Financial Control, Section 71-11A.