Item - 2018.EX34.2

City Council considered Items EX34.2 and EX34.3 together.

The Executive Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council approve Version 2.0 of the Toronto Seniors Strategy and direct City Divisions and Agencies to implement the following 27 high-impact recommendations contained in the report (April 30, 2018) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration:

"Recommendation 1:

The City of Toronto will initiate a process to develop a seniors housing and services entity at the City dedicated to taking a service system management approach to the needs of all seniors and integrating City services for seniors.

Recommendation 2:

The City of Toronto will explore how to expand access to free dental health services for low-income seniors through Toronto Public Health.

Recommendation 3:

The City of Toronto in partnership with Toronto Community Housing will seek provincial funding for additional Seniors Active Living Centres in Toronto.

Recommendation 4:

Toronto Public Library will support social connectedness by expanding digital literacy programs for seniors in libraries.

Recommendation 5:

The City of Toronto will expand Community Paramedicine programing in order to better support seniors who are high-volume 911 callers with non-emergency community care and supports.

Recommendation 6:

The City of Toronto will work with the Province of Ontario and community partners to develop a Toronto Caregivers Strategy with an emphasis on the needs of senior caregivers.

Recommendation 7:

The City of Toronto will consider senior-friendly outdoor fitness equipment in the design and refurbishment of parks.

Recommendation 8:

The City of Toronto will work with Toronto Community Housing and FoodShare to establish healthy food access initiatives that are accessible to seniors living in social housing through Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Food Policy Council.

Recommendation 9:

The City of Toronto will develop Housing Opportunities Toronto: Housing Action Plan (2020-2030) accounting for the evolving demographics and needs of older Torontonians over the next decade.

Recommendation 10:

The City of Toronto will address the specific and growing needs of older Torontonians by continuing to create new affordable housing and fund housing repairs and accessibility modifications for seniors by delivering federal-provincial-City funding and City incentives.

Recommendation 11:

The City of Toronto will seek funding from the Seniors Community Grant Program under the Ministry of Seniors Affairs to pilot a HomeShare program in Toronto to connect overhoused seniors with underhoused graduate students and others.

Recommendation 12:

The City of Toronto will develop a new homeless shelter that provides specialized services for seniors and older adults.

Recommendation 13:

The City of Toronto will implement the provincial Home for Good program funding to create and maintain housing with supports that meet the needs of formerly homeless persons including seniors.

Recommendation 14:

The City of Toronto will amend the Official Plan to recognize the City's commitment to age-friendly principles.

Recommendation 15:

The City of Toronto will negotiate the use of Section 37 benefits to develop new neighbourhood facilities to meet the needs of seniors as appropriate.

Recommendation 16:

The City of Toronto will provide seniors with new and customized information and tools that will empower them to ensure that they and their neighbours are living in a fire safe environment.

Recommendation 17:

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will develop and launch a new public awareness campaign to advance a culture of respect and civility for the benefit of seniors and other riders.

Recommendation 18:

The City of Toronto will, as part of its commitment to Vision Zero, identify and install additional Seniors Safety Zones in conjunction with the Road Safety Plan.

Recommendation 19:

The City of Toronto will construct new sidewalks on roads where they are missing to improve walkability, mobility and accessibility of City streets.

Recommendation 20:

The Toronto Transit Commission will develop a travel training program to support increased senior access to public transit.

Recommendation 21:

The City of Toronto will work with community partners under Toronto For All to develop a workplace anti-ageism campaign.

Recommendation 22:

The City of Toronto will work with The 519, Senior Pride Network and other community partners to develop a public awareness and education campaign addressing homophobia and transphobia affecting seniors.

Recommendation 23:

The City of Toronto will expand employment support services to further address the needs of older workers, focusing on those in receipt of Ontario Works.

Recommendation 24:

The City of Toronto will enhance public awareness of property tax deferral and cancellation programs.

Recommendation 25:

The City of Toronto will work with the Seniors Strategy Accountability Table and other community partners to update and circulate the new Services for Seniors in Toronto directory.

Recommendation 26:

The City of Toronto will work with all Ward Councillors to hold Seniors Active Living Fairs in order to facilitate outreach and communication of the burgeoning range of diverse products and services available for seniors.

Recommendation 27:

Toronto Police Service, in collaboration with key partners, will create a seniors-inclusive training curriculum aimed at increasing officer awareness around ageing related issues and increasing officer capacity to connect seniors to appropriate community services."

2.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with the Executive Director, Financial Planning to report back on the financial impact of fully implementing the 27 high-impact recommendations once the service delivery plans have been fully developed for the medium-term initiatives.

3.  City Council request the Director, Affordable Housing Office, in consultation with the Transition Lead, CreateTO, to include the opportunity for the development of a seniors continuum of care model in affordable housing development planned for 640 Lansdowne Avenue.

For the first time in history, there are now more Torontonians aged 65+ than children aged 15 and below. The number of people in Toronto aged 65 and over is expected to almost double by 2041 and nationally, seniors are projected to constitute one-quarter of the Canadian population by 2036.

The City of Toronto views the growth of the ageing population as a triumph not a tsunami. At the turn of the twentieth century life expectancy was 51 years; it is now 81 years and growing. We all benefit from the energy and life experience seniors bring to our diverse communities and neighbourhoods. Seniors are a valuable asset and a key part of what makes this city great. However, in order to ensure the needs of this growing population are met, the City needs to plan and strategize accordingly.

Furthermore, the City needs to address the particular needs of vulnerable seniors. The challenges of ageing intersect and amplify vulnerabilities related to a number of factors such as gender, ability, ethnicity, culture, race, language, literacy, income, education, sexuality and citizenship status. People living with privilege, means and support will age very differently than those whose lived experience include victimization, violence, homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty, systemic discrimination and social isolation. City initiatives to support seniors must take an equity approach to consider the disparities in lived experience that exist among people who are ageing in Toronto and the many diverse communities that fall under the umbrella term of 'seniors'.

In 2013, the City launched the Seniors Strategy Version 1.0 to clearly and explicitly address some of the pressing issues facing seniors in the City and to lay the foundation for the work that is required to adequately and effectively support Toronto's growing ageing population. Version 1.0 included 91 far-reaching recommendations, of which 90 have been actioned. Reiterating its commitment to ensure seniors' needs are met and they are supported to live full, healthy lives, Council directed staff to review and update the Strategy.

Version 2.0 of the Toronto Seniors Strategy builds upon the success of Version 1.0 with 27 high-impact recommendations. Development of Version 2.0 was informed by an extensive and inclusive community engagement process and co-creation between the City of Toronto and the Toronto Seniors Strategy Accountability Table, which includes seniors, caregivers, the Toronto Seniors Forum, community agencies serving seniors, advocacy, diversity and equity organizations, local businesses, school boards, hospitals, Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, academics, researchers and relevant agencies, 15 City Divisions, 5 City Agencies, and various Federal and Provincial ministries involved in funding and delivering services, programs and initiatives for seniors.

The way the City currently organizes its housing and services for seniors does not meet their needs now and this problem will be exacerbated as the populations grows over the next 10-15 years. The City needs to take a service system management approach to the needs of all seniors.