Item - 2021.PH21.6

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. Should Ontario Regulation 13/21 cease to apply to the Toronto Public Health Unit prior thereto, City Council request the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to continue a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent until June 17, 2021; and

2. City Council request the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to consider whether to extend the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent beyond June 17, 2021 based on advice from the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Medical Officer of Health.

On December 16, 2020, City Council requested the Board of Directors for Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to implement a three-month moratorium on evictions due to non-payment of rent ("TCHC's moratorium").

The Province subsequently issued an emergency order to pause the enforcement of non-emergency residential evictions across Ontario, under its second state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic declared on January 12, 2021 ("provincial moratorium"). On February 8, 2021, the Province announced that it is moving to a regional approach and that the provincial moratorium will only continue in regions where the provincial stay-at-home order is in effect. For Toronto, this stay-at-home order is currently in place until February 22, 2021, with the possibility of extension.

TCHC's moratorium requested by City Council has been superseded by the provincial moratorium. TCHC is currently adhering to and following the provincial moratorium as it unfolds. Should the provincial moratorium conclude before March 17, 2021, the initial end date requested by City Council, TCHC will resume and carry out its initial Council-requested moratorium. 

In the absence of an extended provincial moratorium beyond March 17, 2021, this report recommends extending TCHC's moratorium for an additional three months to June 17, 2021. Consistent with the original terms, the extended moratorium will suspend the physical act of evictions due to non-payment of rent. This report also recommends that TCHC's Board of Directors consider whether to extend the moratorium beyond June 17, 2021, based on advice from the President and Chief Executive Officer of TCHC in consultation with the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Medical Officer of Health.

TCHC continues to mitigate the risk of tenants falling into arrears and facing eviction once the moratorium is lifted. This includes notifying tenants of their arrears; educating tenants of the risks of non-payment; referring vulnerable tenants to support services; and negotiating reasonable repayment agreements.