Item - 2018.CD30.6

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct that one-time funds in the amount of no more than $500,000 be provided to support the Out of the Cold program in the 2018/2019 winter season to deliver safer and more accessible services and supports for the users and the providers, the funds to be taken from the Tax Stabilization Reserve.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to submit a sustainable funding plan in the 2019 budget process to elevate the health and safety standards of the Out of the Cold Program, in consultation with service users and Out of the Cold program service providers.

3.  City Council extend its appreciation to all of the Out of the Cold program service providers for their work and service to residents of Toronto.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee:

1.  Directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to increase the frequency of meetings with Out of the Cold site coordinators, and identify other opportunities for site coordinator engagement.

2.  Directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to work with Dixon Hall to improve the consistency, quality, and responsiveness of both the Out of the Cold cleaning and on-site staff supports and monitor effectiveness of implementation.

3.  Directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to engage with the Out of the Cold coordinators, Dixon Hall, Toronto Public Health, and the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network to assess opportunities to further health services and supports for Out of the Cold service users.

At its meeting on June 13, 2018, the Community Development and Recreation Committee (CDRC) considered a report submitted by the Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness (ICFH) regarding the operation of the Out of the Cold (OOTC) sites during the 2017/2018 winter season (CD29.10). The Committee directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) to consult with OOTC site coordinators and other stakeholders on concerns brought forward by the ICFH, and report back to CDRC at their meeting on July 11, 2018. This report responds to that request.

As directed, SSHA consulted with key stakeholders through a meeting with members of the ICFH, an online survey of OOTC site coordinators, and a meeting with site coordinators organized by Dixon Hall. Discussion was centred on how to improve client outcomes through provision of additional harm reduction resources, health and housing services and the continuation of safe and welcoming spaces through the provision of appropriate cleaning and site staffing resources.  

Building on the feedback received on the 2017/2018 season, SSHA will work closely with Dixon Hall, site coordinators, and the ICFH, to improve programming supports for the OOTC in advance of the 2018/2019 winter season.  Additionally, SSHA will engage with appropriate stakeholders, such as Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the Toronto Central LHIN, to identify opportunities to further health services for OOTC service users.