AGENDA Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Friday, September 18, 2020 9:00 AM Electronic To view our live stream visit the County of Simcoe's YouTube channel Chair: Nina Bifolchi
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1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution
That the agenda for the September 18, 2020, meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, be approved.
3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
4. Presentations and Delegations
5. Items of Reference
6. Consent Agenda
Recommendation
That the following Consent Agenda Items, having been given due consideration, be received:
5 - 6 6.1. Memorandum regarding CCW 2020-149 and CCW 2020- 236 – County Orillia Campus Development - Update Memo re CCW 2020-149 and CCW 2020- 236 – County Orillia Campus Development - Update
7 - 18 6.2. Memorandum regarding CCW 2020-042 - Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects - Update Memo re CCW 2020-042 Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects Update CCW 2020-042 CCW 2020-042 Schedule 1
Page 1 of 73 CCW 2020-042 Schedule 2
7. Matters for Consideration
19 - 22 7.1. Correspondence from Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH) regarding Policy Brief: Ending Homelessness and the Right to Housing Letter to AHAC regarding Housing as a Right - Sept 2020 Policy Brief - ENDING HOMELESSNESS and the RIGHT TO HOUSING
Recommendation
That the letter from Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness, dated September 10, 2020, regarding a Policy Brief: Ending Homelessness and the Right to Housing, be referred to staff for report.
23 - 27 7.2. AHA 2020-082 - Affordable Housing Forum 2020 AHA 2020-082 AHA 2020-082 Schedule 1
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-082, dated September 18, 2020, regarding the Affordable Housing Forum 2020, be received.
29 - 37 7.3. AHA 2020-101 - Affordable Rents, House Prices, and Tracking of Secondary Suites AHA 2020-101 AHA 2020-101 Schedule 1 AHA 2020-101 Schedule 2 AHA 2020-101 Schedule 3
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-101, dated September 18, 2020, regarding Affordable Rents, House Prices, and Tracking of Secondary Suites, be received; and
That the discount rate for tracking secondary suites under Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy as outlined in Item AHA 2020-101, be approved.
39 - 41 7.4. AHA 2020-109 - Affordable Housing Targets Update AHA 2020-109 AHA 2020-109 Schedule 1
Page 2 of 73 Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-109, dated September 18 2020, regarding an Affordable Housing Targets Update, be received.
43 - 66 7.5. AHA 2020-141 - Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report AHA 2020-141 AHA 2020-141 Schedule 1
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-141, dated September 18, 2020, regarding the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report, be received; and
That the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report, substantively in the form attached as Schedule 1 to Item AHA 2020-141, be approved and submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and disseminated to the general public.
67 - 73 7.6. AHA 2020-257 - Building Hope Project Update AHA 2020-257 AHA 2020-257 Schedule 1
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-257, dated September 18, 2020 regarding a Building Hope Project Update, be received.
8. Other Matters for Consideration
9. Confidential Matters for Consideration
10. Adjournment
Resolution
That the September 18, 2020, meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee be adjourned at (time)a.m.
Next Meeting: November 20, 2020
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 18, 2020
TO: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
FROM: Arfona Zwiers, Director of Social Housing
SUBJECT: CCW 2020-149 and CCW 2020- 236 – County Orillia Campus Development - Update
Items CCW 2020-149 and CCW 2020-236 were brought to the June 23 and August 11, 2020, Committee of the Whole (CCW) and Council meetings to receive approval to proceed with the County Orillia Campus development project, estimated to cost $79 million. On August 11, 2020, the County Orillia Campus Development received approval to proceed. The site concept design builds upon the community consultation and visioning process that was conducted with respect to the former Orillia District Collegiate Vocational Institute property. The consultation process resulted in a vision for a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive regional community hub, which would provide affordable housing options for seniors and other mixed income households, help to alleviate the barriers to accessing essential community and social services for residents, and create a sense of inclusion.
The County Orillia Campus development is located on an arterial road at the intersection of West Street North and Borland Street East in the City of Orillia, can be accessed via public transit, and is in close proximity to community amenities. The development will intensify an existing neighbourhood and provide affordable housing options for seniors, vulnerable populations, and mixed income households. The project will encompass the development of a multi-use energy efficient building in a campus-like setting, including a mix of approximately 130 affordable housing units, and community services, as well as potential County corporate and/or other supportive services intended to meet the diverse needs of the community and surrounding areas. The County Orillia Campus development project is being prepared as ‘shovel-ready’ to be in an optimal position should additional federal/provincial funding be made available.
With respect to the affordable housing targets identified in the 10-Year Strategy, this project is expected to result in a significant portion of the affordable housing targets being met for the overall area including the City of Orillia, and Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Severn. Of the 130 affordable housing units, approximately thirty studio units will be targeted to vulnerable populations and the County will work in partnership with key community organizations for these units. As well, the campus approach helps to alleviate the barriers to accessing essential community and social services for residents. The community consultation illustrated the strong demand for both children and senior services that are required within the community, in addition to affordable housing. Onsite resources and supports through County of Simcoe services will include Ontario Works, Children and Community Services, and Social Housing, as well as potential corporate County services. The EarlyON Child and Family Centre, a licensed child care centre, Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), and Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions will also be of great benefit not only to residents from the building but also from the broader neighbourhood and area. Additionally, the central hub space brings together amenities such as a café, community kitchen, and program rooms.
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With Council approval having been obtained in August 2020, pre-construction activities, such as more detailed design and planning submissions, will take place over the coming several months, with construction anticipated to start in late spring or early summer 2021.
As this project is likely of particular interest to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, it has been included as an information Item on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee agenda.
The County Orillia Campus development project presentation can be found < Linked here >.
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 18, 2020
TO: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
FROM: Arfona Zwiers, Director of Social Housing
SUBJECT: CCW - 2020- 042 - Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects - Update
The above referenced and attached CCW Report was brought to the March 10, 2020 Committee of the Whole as an information item to provide an update on rental development projects created with various Federal-Provincial programs, as well as with municipal partners, the non-profit and private sectors, and the County of Simcoe.
As this report is likely of particular interest to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, it has been included as an information Item on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee agenda.
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To: Committee of the Whole
Agenda Section: Human Services Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: CCW - 2020- 042
Meeting Date: March 10, 2020
Subject: Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects - Update
Recommendation
That Item CCW 2020-042, dated March 10, 2020, regarding the Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects - Update, be received.
Executive Summary
Item CCW 2020-042 provides an update on Affordable Rental Housing Development projects that have been approved for the construction of affordable housing units under a variety of processes and funding including the leveraging of federal-provincial affordable housing funding opportunities, 2016 Request for Proposal (RFP) for third party developers, and Simcoe County Housing Corporation (SCHC) builds, as well as through the 2016 Call for Proposal (CFP) process.
Projects have been possible due to funding made available through the Developing Opportunities for Ontario Renters (DOOR), Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) and 2014 Extension (IAHE) Programs, the Social Infrastructure Fund Program (SIF), the Home for Good Program (HFG), Ontario Priorities Housing Initiatives Program (OPHI), municipal partners, and the County of Simcoe.
Background/Analysis/Options
Rental development projects initiated by the County, projects as a result of the 2016 RFP process, as well as the SCHC redevelopment of social housing property and the 2016 CFP process are at various advanced stages of completion.
In addition to the rental development projects initiated by the County, the 2016 RFP process was directed under the last round of federal-provincial affordable housing funding for third party rental housing development projects, as outlined under Item CCW 16-234 (June 14, 2016) and Item CCW 16-274 (August 9, 2016). Additionally, the purpose of the CFP process was to engage municipalities in the creation of affordable housing, in partnership with SCHC, in a manner that would enable shovel-readiness of sites, plans, and budgets to the fullest extent possible, as
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identified in Item CCW 16-359 (October 25, 2016). Construction timelines typically span a few years, and therefore many of the development projects approved during 2016 have come to fruition over the past eighteen months.
The chart below lists the affordable rental development projects completed over the last five years and under development:
Project & Location Affiliated Total # of Occupancy Permitted/ Process / Affordable Anticipated Occupancy Program Housing Units Permitted Riverbank Homes IAH and IAHE 38 November 2015 City of Barrie Wendat Seniors’ Residence County 21 February 2016 Town of Penetanguishene Development Charge Rebate Simcoe County Housing Intensification 54 July 2016 Corporation (SCHC) project, addition Brooks Street of wing to Redevelopment existing SCHC City of Barrie property; DOOR DeafBlind Ontario, 2016 Request 5 November 2017 City of Barrie for Proposal, SIF Westridge Developments, 2016 Request 4 August 2018 Wyevale, for Proposal, Township of Tiny SIF Young Street, Alliston, 2016 Request 20 December 2018 Town of New Tecumseth for Proposal, SIF Wellington Street, 2016 Request 5 December 2018 City of Barrie for Proposal, SIF Apogee Apartments, Alcona 2016 Request 55 March 2019 Town of Innisfil for Proposal, IAHE SCHC Intensification 147 (30 Building A – May 2019 Collingwood project; replacement Social Building B – October 2019 Redevelopment Redevelopment Housing) of SCHC property, SIF SCHC 2016 Call for 99 April 2020 Wasaga Beach Proposal, IAHE Development and SIF
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Project & Location Affiliated Total # of Occupancy Permitted/ Process / Affordable Anticipated Occupancy Program Housing Units Permitted Lucy’s Place Motel Home For Good 18 (Supportive Motel March 2019 Conversion Project, Program Housing) Adjacent House City of Barrie November 2019 Building Hope, Home For Good 20 (Supportive May 2021 City of Orillia Program Housing) 40 emergency beds Anti Human Trafficking Anti Human 5 (Supportive July 2019 Project, Trafficking Housing) Town of Midland Program Rural Rental Development 2016 Call for 41 December 2020 (SCHC), Proposal, IAHE Victoria Harbour and OPHI Barrie Municipal Non-Profit CMHC – Co- 11 June 2020 Housing Corporation Investment (4th Floor addition) City of Barrie Fund
The projects listed above are supported through the DOOR, IAH and 2014 IAHE Programs, SIF, Anti Human Trafficking, HFG, OPHI, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Co- Investment Funding, and municipal partners as well as County of Simcoe funding.
These rental housing development projects are at various stages of completion. Projects in the City of Barrie such as Riverbank Homes and 33 Brook Street received occupancy in 2015 and 2016 respectively, as well DeafBlind Ontario received occupancy in November 2017. Wendat Seniors’ Residence in Penetanguishene received occupancy in 2016. Westridge Developments (Tiny Township), Young Street (New Tecumseth) and Wellington Street (Barrie) projects were completed in December 2018. In addition, Apogee Apartments (Innisfil) was completed in March of 2019. Photos of recently completed projects are included in Schedule 1.
Most recently, the SCHC Collingwood Redevelopment project (Schedule 2) was completed; 475 Second Street was completed first with move-ins commencing in May 2019. The Collingwood satellite Ontario Works and Children Services office transferred operations to 485 Second Street in August, while the Simcoe County District School Board opened their new learning centre in September. Residential tenant move-ins started in October for 485 Second Street; both buildings are now fully occupied. Also, the Social and Community Services hub is in full operation including Ontario Works, Adult Learning Centre, Empower Simcoe housing resource centre, as well as an EarlyON centre that is located in 475 Second Street and which runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. The launch of the hub has been very successful and feedback from community agencies has been positive.
In addition, two supportive housing projects have been completed. As per Item AHA 2019-320 (September 20, 2019) Lucy’s Place, the Motel Conversion project in Barrie opened in 2019. This project provides eighteen units of affordable housing to people who have experienced chronic homelessness. Also, as per Item AHA 2019-320 (September 2019) a five-unit project to house survivors of human trafficking was completed in Midland in 2019. Construction on the Building Hope project in Orillia is underway and includes homelessness services hub/supportive housing
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funded by the County, the City of Orillia, the Province, and CMHC as well as significant fundraising dollars, as per Item CCW 2019-256 (June 25, 2019).
Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation is rebuilding at its current location on Little Avenue in Barrie following a fire in 2018. A fourth floor, of eleven units, is being added to the original building using CMHC Co-Investment Funds under the National Housing Strategy. As per Item CCW 2018-416 (June 26, 2018), the County will provide rent supplements to the tenants in the eleven new units in order to assist with affordability.
Several SCHC projects are currently under construction (Schedule 2). Ongoing progress is being monitored to ensure project milestones are being accomplished in accordance with all funding Program Guidelines. The Wasaga Beach Development project is nearing completion as final finishes and cleaning commenced in February, 2020. The occupancy permit is anticipated in March/April of 2020 with move-ins to follow starting in April/May. Final exterior landscaping and paving will be completed in the spring.
The Victoria Harbour Development project is well underway. All three floors have been constructed, windows and exterior boarding has begun. The bulk of site services have all been completed and the majority of the interior finishes will start late spring/early summer. The grounds and landscaping are also anticipated to be completed late spring, early summer. The project is on schedule to be completed by October/November 2020 and ready for move-in December 2020.
With respect to future affordable housing rental development projects that have been approved for varying amounts of preliminary concept and site design, there are a few potential SCHC locations being explored. To proceed with the County-purchased lands at the former high school site in Orillia, as per Item CCW 2020-020 (January 14, 2020), a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been conducted to secure architects for a feasibility study and preliminary design. A further report will be brought to council in 2020 for discussion and approval on a proposed phased design for this site.
In Barrie, as per Item CCW 17-253 (October 10, 2017), three SCHC scattered units vacated on turn-over have been sold, with another six anticipated to be available on the real estate market in the first half of 2020. County staff continues to review property acquisition opportunities in the City of Barrie, and will bring forward updates, as appropriate, on forthcoming property purchase (ideally a property that will accommodate approximately 150 units, including 64 replacement Social Housing units).
In Bradford West Gwillimbury, the Town’s process to revision the downtown Community Centre property has included continued dialogue with the County with the intention to include a component on that site which is earmarked for affordable housing (approximately 50 units) and an Ontario Works/Children Services satellite office. To assist the Town in this process, the County of Simcoe has provided input to public and staff meetings.
County staff continues to review other properties and opportunities as part of the Long Term Financial Plan process, and will bring further information for Council consideration. All of the units created as rental development count towards affordable housing targets that are tracked at the time of occupancy permit, as part of the progress under the 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Financial and Resource Implications
There are no financial implications associated with this Item.
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Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Growth Related Service Delivery: Create and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to support communities through the delivery of sustainable services
Specifically, the Social and Community Services strategic initiatives: • Develop social housing infrastructure and investment that is responsive to current and growth related needs across the housing continuum • Develop and implement a Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
Item CCW 2020-042 is consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Reference Documents • Item CCW 17-081 (April 11, 2017) - Simcoe County Housing Corporation Wasaga Beach Development • Item CCW 17-253 (October 10, 2017) – Simcoe County Housing Corporation Development and Operational Plan • Item CCW 18-004 (January 23, 2018) - 2016 Social Infrastructure Fund Program Year 3 • Item CCW 17-299 (September 26, 2017) - Update: Provincial Home For Good Program Funding Expression of Interest • Item CCW 18-028 (January 23, 2018) - Funding for Building Hope, Orillia Supportive Housing Project • Item AHA – 18-006 (April 20, 2018) - Affordable Rental Housing Development Projects – Update • Item CCW 2018-416 (June 26, 2018) - Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation – Letter of Support • Item AHA 2019-320 (September 20, 2019) - Motel Conversion and Anti Human Trafficking Projects Update • Item CCW 2019-256 (June 25, 2019) - Building Hope Project, Orillia • CCW 2020-020 (January 14, 2020) - County of Simcoe Hub – Orillia – Community Consultation Update and Next Steps
Attachments
Schedule 1 – Photos of completed projects Schedule 2 – Photos of projects under construction
Prepared By Brad Spiewak, Maintenance and Facilities Project Manager Rachelle Hamelin, Program Supervisor
Approvals Date John Connell, Implementation Manager, Social Housing February 25, 2020 Arfona, Zwiers, Director of Social Housing February 26, 2020 Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community Services February 27, 2020 Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance March 3, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer March 3, 2020
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Apogee Apartments, Alcona, Town of Innisfil
Westridge Development, Wyevale, Township of Tiny
Page 15 of 73 Schedule 1 Committee of the Whole CCW 2020-042 Page 1
Young Street expansion, Alliston, Town of New Tecumseth
Page 16 of 73 Schedule 2 Committee of the Whole CCW 2020-042 Page 1
Collingwood Redevelopment, Building A, Town of Collingwood
Collingwood Redevelopment, Building B, Town of Collingwood
Page 17 of 73 Schedule 2 Committee of the Whole CCW 2020-042 Page 1
Wasaga Beach Development, Town of Wasaga Beach
Victoria Harbour Development, Township of Tay
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September 10, 2020
Nina Bifolchi Chair, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee County of Simcoe [email protected]
Dear Ms. Bifolchi,
On behalf of the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH), I’m writing today to submit for the consideration of the AHA Committee our policy brief on Ending Homelessness and the Right to Housing.
Housing has been recognized as a right by the United Nations since 1948, and more recently by the Government of Canada in 2019 as part of the National Housing Strategy Act. In order to end homelessness, this right to adequate housing needs to also be recognized at the municipal level and a rights-based approach adopted in the Simcoe County 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy, pandemic recovery plans, and the upcoming Comprehensive Municipal Review.
The attached policy brief outlines four asks from County Council. We are requesting this be added to the September 18th AHA Committee agenda for discussion, and that the Committee will consider endorsing the four asks, share with Council, and ask staff to report back on options to support the four asks.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with the AHA Committee in the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing in Simcoe County.
Sincerely,
Sara Peddle Chair, Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness
88 Mulcaster Street, Barrie ON L4M 3M5 | www.scateh.com
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ENDING HOMELESSNESS and Addressing homelessness is therefore an the RIGHT TO HOUSING immediate obligation. … The obligation is to demonstrate that, in aggregate, the Recognizing Housing as a Right measures being taken are sufficient to KEY INSIGHTS realize the right for every individual in the Housing has been recognized as a shortest possible time in accordance with human right by the United Nations the maximum of available resources.” since 1948. A pivotal obligation of governments in the In 2019, as part of the National progressive realization of this right is to Housing Strategy Act, the federal prioritize those most in need, i.e., those government of Canada recognized experiencing homelessness. “the right of every Canadian to access adequate housing.” The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness The right to housing should be (CAEH) position paper on this topic ends recognized within housing strategies with seven ways to prioritize those as a legal right, with reasonable experiencing homelessness, summarized budgets allocated to ensure that we here: move as quickly as possible toward the goal of adequate housing for all. 1. Strategies must assess which All levels of government share an communities and populations are in obligation to prioritize those most in most desperate need or living in the need, in our progressive realization most hazardous conditions and of the right to adequate housing. address their circumstances in a human rights compliant manner. A rights-based approach to ending 2. Strategies must recognize and address homelessness in Simcoe County the close association between laws and All levels of government share the government policies that position responsibility to ensure the realization of housing as a commodity, and the the right to adequate housing. unaffordability of housing for those in the lowest income brackets, leading to This does not mean governments must growing homelessness and house every citizen overnight. It does, displacement. however, obligate all levels of government 3. Housing strategies should identify to allocate reasonable budgets and groups that suffer housing resources to ending homelessness. disadvantages and should address the particular barriers they face. The former UN Special Rapporteur on 4. Women’s equal right to housing must Adequate Housing, Leilani Farhi, noted in be ensured in all aspects of housing her 2018 report that “a State is seen to be in strategies. violation of international human rights law 5. Strategies should address the legacy of if any significant portion of the population is colonization and the systemic housing deprived of basic shelter or housing. inequality and dispossession
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experienced by indigenous peoples. 3. Mandate specific investments to This requires specific measures led by create housing for those indigenous peoples based on their right experiencing homelessness, with to develop their own housing priorities specific targets. and strategies. “Affordable housing” at $1100+/month 6. Strategies should additionally recognize is not affordable to those experiencing and be responsive to the unique homelessness, nor to anyone relying on housing experiences that result from Ontario Works (OW) benefits. intersectional and compound Individuals on OW receive just $390 per discrimination. month for rent. Originally, the 10-Year 7. Strategies should be responsive to Affordable Housing Strategy broke emerging issues of marginalization, down affordable housing targets into discrimination or xenophobia and income brackets, but those categories address stigmatization and hatred. have since been removed. Specific targets for the creation of housing for Asks those on OW must be reinstated, and Based on the position paper provided by resourced. the CAEH and the ten principles for realizing housing rights obligations as outlined in the 4. Join us in advocating for an 2018 UN Report by the Special Rapporteur increased shelter allowance through on adequate housing, the Simcoe County OW and the Ontario Disability Alliance to End Homelessness has four Support Program (ODSP). requests for County Council: References 1. Recognize the Right to Housing. Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. Simcoe County Council should formally 2018. “Discussion Paper: Ending recognize adequate housing as a right. Homelessness and the Right to Housing.” 2. Take a rights-based approach to https://caeh.ca/wp-content/uploads/CAEH- legislation, financial allocations, Ending-Homelessness-and-the-Right-to- policies, and programs. Housing.pdf To ensure the progressive realization of Farha, Leilani. 2018. “Report of the Special the right to adequate housing and moving steadily forward to prevent and Rapporteur on adequate housing as a end homelessness, Simcoe County component of the right to an adequate Council must take a rights-based standard of living, and on the right to approach to legislation, financial non-discrimination in this context. Human allocations, policies, and programs. This Rights Council, 37th Session. includes the Simcoe County 10-Year https://documents-dds- Affordable Housing and Homelessness ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G18/007/65/ Prevention Strategy, pandemic recovery PDF/G1800765.pdf?OpenElement plans, and the upcoming Comprehensive Municipal Review.
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To: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section: Human Services Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: AHA - 2020-082
Meeting Date: September 18, 2020
Subject: Affordable Housing Forum 2020
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-082, dated September 18, 2020, regarding the Affordable Housing Forum 2020, be received.
Executive Summary
Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy has been in effect since January 2014, and the Strategy Update 2019 has been submitted to the Province. Item AHA 2020-011 (January 17, 2020) noted that the County was working in conjunction with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to host a forum on affordable housing in the spring of 2020. The target audience for the forum was private and non-profit housing providers and developers, municipal political leaders, and municipal planners.
Item 2020-082 (September 18, 2020) provides an update on the Affordable Housing Forum 2020 (Forum), originally scheduled for April 8, 2020. Staff has been working in conjunction with CMHC to coordinate logistics, financial considerations, invitations to and presentations for the Forum. Due to COVID-19, the Forum was initially postponed, and as the COVID-19 pandemic timelines extended, County and CMHC staff developed alternate plans for the one-day Forum to become a virtual forum with shorter modules offered in a series, commencing in October 2020. Staff is planning for a CMHC representative to present on October 21, 2020, on modular housing and micro-housing, with various other presentations outlined below continuing on a monthly basis until spring 2021. Staff is exploring online opportunities with CMHC and will confirm dates with various stakeholders, including speakers.
Background/Analysis/Options
Item AHA 2020-011 (January 17, 2020) was approved by Council following discussion by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee regarding target audience and potential topics for inclusion in an Affordable Housing Forum to be held in the Spring of 2020. Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic measures, the Forum, planned for April 8, 2020, was postponed. New monthly dates are being
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proposed during fall 2020 continuing into spring 2021, as an online and interactive set of virtual modules, to be planned in conjunction with CMHC. It is anticipated that each module will be 1.5 to 2 hours long. Subject to availability of presenters, module topics include micro dwellings, modular housing, energy efficient affordable housing, land leasing, housing innovations, including those arising out of the pandemic, housing first best practices, and financial incentives and lending targeted toward affordable housing projects.
The target audience for the Forum includes non-profit and private sector housing providers and developers as well as elected officials from across the county, as a means of engaging and harnessing visible leadership for the topics. Municipal planners, and housing and homelessness support agencies will also be invited due to the significant role that planning plays in the development process, and in recognition of Housing First approaches.
In February 2017, the County held its first Innovations Forum (Items AHA 17-003, January 2017; AHA 17-009, February 17, 2017), an outcome of which included interest in exploring a motel conversion. Ultimately, this resulted in the development of Lucy’s Place, a motel conversion project in Barrie (Item AHA 2019-320, September 20, 2019).
In the virtual forum modules, the overall focus will be the exploration of innovative methods to increase affordability and ultimately to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Staff is exploring online venues and logistics, including the Microsoft Teams platform, and will confirm dates with speakers and invitees, including the members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and Council. The first module is planned for October 21, for CMHC to present on micro- homes and modular homes. Subsequent modules will be held monthly, on a regularly recurring day if possible, likely on a Wednesday morning.
Financial and Resource Implications
There are no financial or resource implications associated with this Item. Costs associated with hosting the Forum modules will be accommodated through a combination of CMHC resources as approved by CMHC, and within the approved County Social Housing budget.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Strengthen Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and well- being of our residents.
Growth Related Service Delivery: Create and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to support communities through the delivery of sustainable services.
Specifically, the Social and Community Services strategic initiative: Develop and implement a Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
This Item is consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Form Issued: November 2019
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Reference Documents
AHA 17-003 (January 20, 2017) Innovations Forum Update AHA 17-009 (February 17, 2017) Innovations Forum Summary AHA 2019-320 (September 20, 2019) Motel Conversion and Anti-Human Trafficking Projects Update AHA 2020-011 (January 17, 2020) Affordable Housing Forum 2020
Attachments
Schedule 1 – Affordable Housing Forum Flyer
Prepared By Andrea Walasek, Project Coordinator, Social Housing
Approvals Date John Connell, Implementation Manager, Social Housing July 28, 2020 Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing August 17, 2020 Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community Services August 21, 2020 Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance September 11, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Form Issued: November 2019
Page 25 of 73 Page 26 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 2020-082 Page 1
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To: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section: Human Services Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: AHA - 2020-101
Meeting Date: September 18, 2020
Subject: Affordable Rents, House Prices, and Tracking of Secondary Suites
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-101, dated September 18, 2020, regarding Affordable Rents, House Prices, and Tracking of Secondary Suites, be received; and
That the discount rate for tracking secondary suites under Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy as outlined in Item AHA 2020- 101, be approved.
Executive Summary
Item AHA 2020-101 provides updated affordable rents and house prices across the county, based on information from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Statistics Canada, as well as a recommendation to revise the discount rate applied to secondary suites created without government funding for the purpose of tracking units under Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy (the Strategy). It is recommended that the current practice of counting 70% of unfunded secondary suites towards the Strategy target to create 2,685 units by 2024 be amended to count 25% of unfunded secondary suites, as of January 1, 2020.
Background/Analysis/Options
The Strategy has a target to create 2,685 units of affordable housing from 2014-2024, through new development, rent supplements/housing allowances, affordable homeownership, and secondary suites. Item AHA 16-011 (March 18, 2016) set out the approved definitions for affordable rents and house prices, for the purpose of tracking progress under the Strategy. These definitions are attached as Schedule 1 to Item AHA 2020-101.
Page 29 of 73 September 18, 2020 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 2020-101 Page 2
Rents
In general, a unit must achieve rents at or below average market rent as determined by CMHC in order to count as an affordable rental unit. In some cases, approved alternate rents are used, for example in the rent supplement programs, based on local research by County staff. CMHC performs a rental market survey each fall. In January, 2020, the 2019 survey was released. CMHC publishes data for five areas in the county, i.e. Barrie, Collingwood, Midland, New Tecumseth/Alliston, and Orillia. As per Item AHA 15-015 (June 19, 2015), these rents are used as a proxy for the municipalities in close geographic proximity to them. The latest average market rents by municipality are set out in Schedule 2 to Item AHA 2020-101.
House Prices
In terms of affordable units created through the homeownership down payment assistance program, house prices must not exceed the average annual resale for the area, which is currently $522,105. However, as per Item CCW 2018-442 (November 13, 2018), Council has approved a lowering of the maximum purchase price under the program to 90% of average resale price, currently $469,894. For new homeownership supply created without government funding, maximum house price amounts are set uniquely for the eighteen municipalities using the lower value of: calculated maximum house price based on median household income, or 10% below average resale price for the regional area. The chart showing the affordable house prices by municipality for 2019 is attached as Schedule 3 to Item AHA 2020-101. The affordable price for each municipality is lower than the regional average, which underscores the value of the continuation of the County’s down payment assistance program to help make home purchases more affordable. Since 93% of the 2,685 units to be created under the Strategy are targeted as rental units, only homeownership units created under the down payment program, as well as those built by Habitat for Humanity, historically have been counted towards the targets achieved. However, information about new supply sold below local affordability thresholds is included in the annual reports on the Strategy. There is not a large inventory of affordably priced homes on the market.
Secondary Suites
Secondary suites are an important form of affordable housing. Provincial policy continues to promote this form of housing. Under the Ontario Housing Supply Action Plan, a guide has been produced to assist homeowners who wish to create secondary suites in existing houses. The Planning Act has been amended to require Official Plans to authorize the use of additional dwelling units in detached, semi-detached and row houses, as well as in units that are ancillary to these forms of housing. The Development Charges Act is being amended to exempt secondary suites in new homes from development charges. The County continues to provide federal, provincial and municipal funds to assist with the creation of secondary units.
A significant number of secondary suites have been created outside of government funding programs. At the time of writing this report, data for the first half of 2020 shows that 139 second suites have been created across the county, funded and unfunded, compared to 145 second suites in the first half of 2019. Up to now it does not appear that the pandemic has negatively impacted the creation of secondary suites.
Staff of municipalities across the county assist in the tracking of secondary suites created without government funding; they provide the information to County staff regarding all secondary suites created. Then County staff calculate the correct portion of secondary suites numbers as part of
Form Issued: November 2019
Page 30 of 73 September 18, 2020 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 2020-101 Page 3
the overall tracking of affordable housing targets. As per Item AHA 15-015 (June 19, 2015), a discount rate of 10% was originally applied to the counting of secondary suites created without government funding, towards the targets under the Strategy, i.e. 90% of these units were counted as being affordable. As per consideration of Item AHA 2018-010 (April 20, 2018), the discount rate was increased to 30% based on available market information, i.e. 70% of these units were counted as being affordable as of January 1, 2018. During 2019, staff conducted a further survey of local market rents, including secondary suites. The rents were surveyed from online advertisements from multiple sources. The results were compared to the CMHC average rent survey, released in January 2020. While there are variations between areas of the county, on aggregate, the comparison showed that 26% of secondary suite rents were at or below the CMHC average market rents. This trend is indicative of a tight rental market.
Due to the pandemic this report has been delayed in coming forward for consideration. Furthermore the internal staff survey of the local rental market that usually occurs in the summer each year has not taken place. Therefore the comparison of the fall 2019 CMHC survey with the summer 2019 staff survey of local market rents is the most recent information available.
It is recommended that, based on the results of the 2019 internal survey, effective January 1, 2020, the current discount rate of 30% for tracking secondary suites under the Strategy be revised to 75%. In other words, the 2020 tracking of units would count 25% of secondary suites created without government funding towards the targets under the Strategy. The rate will be reviewed again during the Phase Three Implementation Plan as data becomes available.
Financial and Resource Implications
There are no financial or resource implications associated with this Item.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Strengthen Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and well-being of our residents.
Growth Related Service Delivery: Create and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to support communities through the delivery of sustainable services, specifically, the Social and Community Services strategic initiative:
Develop and implement a Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
This Item is consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
Reference Documents
AHA 15-015 (June 19, 2015) Update on Definitions Related To Tracking Progress On Targets AHA 16-011 (March 18, 2016) Definitions Related to Tracking Targets on Progress – Update AHA 18-010 (April 20, 2018) Secondary Suites Affordability and Marketing
Form Issued: November 2019
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CCW 2018-442 (November 13, 2018) Ontario Renovates, Secondary Suites, Homeownership, and Operating Programs Policy Updates Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
Attachments
Schedule 1 – Approved Definitions Schedule 2 – Average Market Rents Schedule 3 – Affordable House Prices
Prepared By John Connell, Implementation Manager, Social Housing
Approvals Date Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing August 18, 2020 Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community Services August 25, 2020 Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance September 11, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Form Issued: November 2019
Page 32 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 2020-101 Page 1
Approved Definitions Related to Tracking Progress on Targets
Definition of a Unit A unit can be a “self-contained” unit with kitchen and bathroom facilities contained within the unit and/or it may include a shared accommodation where individuals have private sleeping areas and share a kitchen, bathroom and living space. The unit is to be modest in size and amenities and is offered at or below annual Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation* (CMHC), or as otherwise set through local research, market rent for the area.
Type of Unit Counted Towards Target Considerations Rent Supplement / Housing Allowance Subsidy must be available for a minimum of five years and the rent for the unit cannot exceed the annual market rent* established by CMHC, or alternate approved AMR’s New Rental Development, New Supply Built Rent cannot exceed the annual CMHC market With or Without Government Funding rent* or alternate approved AMR’s for the area at initial take up Second Suite/Garden Suite, New Supply Built Rent cannot exceed the annual CMHC market With Government Funding rent* or alternate approved AMR’s for the area at initial take up Second Suite/Garden Suite, New Supply No rent cap however a discount rate will apply to Without Government Funding address exceptions Homeownership, New Supply Built With Price of the house cannot exceed average annual Government Funding resale* for area. These affordable homeownership units are created under the federal-provincial funding programs.
Homeownership, New Supply Built Without Maximum house price amounts are set uniquely Government Funding for eighteen municipalities using the lower value of: calculated maximum house price based on median household income, or of regional maximum 10% below average resale price*.
*as adjusted from time to time by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
As approved under Item AHA 16-011
Page 33 of 73 Page 34 of 73 Schedule 2 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 2020-101 Page 1
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Average Market Rents Fall 2019 1 2 3 + Apartments (Rent per month) Bachelor Data source 2019 Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Barrie, Essa, Innisfil, CMHC Rental Market Report Barrie CMA: Table $871 $1,161 $1,336 $1,728 Springwater 1.1.2 Bradford West Gwillimbury, CMHC Rental Market Report Greater Toronto New Tecumseth, Adjala- $1,087 $1,111 $1,268 $1,533 Area: Table 1.1.2 – Zone 31 – Bradford W. Tosorontio Gwillimbury Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, CMHC Rental Market Report Ontario Highlights: $749 $995 $1,156 $1,419* Clearview Table 1.1.2 – Collingwood CA Midland, Penetanguishene, CMHC Rental Market Report Ontario Highlights: $759* $908 $1,066 $1,117 Tay, Tiny Table 1.1.2_3 - Midland CA Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, CMHC Rental Market Report Ontario Highlights: $732 $956 $1,109 $1,374 Severn Table 1.1.2 - Orillia CA
* In the absence of subzone CMHC data – substitute with Simcoe County CMHC (2018) average PPS Table 4
Page 35 of 73 Page 36 of 73 Schedule 3 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 2020-101 Page 1
Affordable Homeownership Prices per Municipality Maximum Affordable House Price Adjusted Median Total Regional Maximum Household Income CMHC Municipality (CMHC - 10% Below Lower of Calculated House (Inflation Increase 2015 to Calculator (incl 5% Average Resale* Price or Regional Maximum 2019 - 6.75%) downpayment) Price) Adjala-Tosorontio $107,309 $419,500 $440,861 $419,500 Barrie $83,163 $304,300 $440,861 $304,300 Bradford West-Gwillimbury $99,549 $377,000 $440,861 $377,000 Clearview $83,819 $311,200 $440,861 $311,200 Collingwood $68,714 $253,500 $440,861 $253,500 Essa $93,132 $365,400 $440,861 $365,400 Innisfil $89,154 $334,700 $440,861 $334,700 Midland $58,582 $209,500 $440,861 $209,500 New Tecumseth $91,793 $347,700 $440,861 $347,700 Orillia $59,569 $214,000 $440,861 $214,000 Oro-Medonte $102,125 $391,200 $440,861 $391,200 Penetanguishene $63,771 $227,600 $440,861 $227,600 Ramara $77,031 $291,900 $440,861 $291,900 Severn $82,207 $316,600 $440,861 $316,600 Springwater $106,273 $411,400 $440,861 $411,400 Tay $69,591 $258,700 $440,861 $258,700 Tiny $74,635 $290,600 $440,861 $290,600 Wasaga Beach $66,345 $250,400 $440,861 $250,400 Simcoe County $81,652
2015 Income from: Median Household Income from Statistics Canada, Census Profile 2016 Income inflation calculated using: http://inflationcalculator.ca/ontario/ Page 37 of 73 Page 38 of 73
To: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section: Matters for Consideration Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: AHA - 2020-109
Meeting Date: September 18, 2020
Subject: Affordable Housing Targets Update
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-109, dated September 18 2020, regarding an Affordable Housing Targets Update, be received.
Executive Summary
Item AHA 2020-109 provides an update on the status of units created towards the targets under Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy (Strategy), as at June 30, 2020.
Background/Analysis/Options
The Strategy has a target to create 2,685 units of affordable housing between 2014 and 2024. These units include new rental development, rent supplements and housing allowances, secondary suites, and home ownership units. The Implementation Plan for the Strategy is broken down into three phases, each with a target of 895 units. Phase One of the Implementation Plan ended December 31, 2017, with 1,017 units achieved. Phase Two of the Implementation Plan runs from January 2018 to December 2020, with a target of an additional 895 units.
As outlined in this Item AHA 2020-141 (September 18, 2020), 1,873 units had been created by the end of 2019, representing 70% of the Strategy target.
During the first half of 2020, a further 218 units have been added. The new units include 76 rent supplements/housing allowances, four affordable homeownership down payments, twelve funded second suites, 27 unfunded second suites, and 99 new rental development units, i.e. the completion of the Simcoe County Housing Corporation (SCHC) multi-residential development in Wasaga Beach. The number of secondary suites built without government funding is based on using a discount rate of 75%, i.e. only counting 25% of these units towards the target, as per the recommendation in Item AHA 2020-101 (September 18, 2020). If the recommendation in Item AHA
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2020-101 is not approved, the number of unfunded secondary suites will be adjusted. Also, it should be noted that more unfunded secondary suite units may be included in the final count for this period, pending receipt of secondary suites information from some municipalities.
As of the time of writing this Item, the total number of units created under the Strategy as of June 30, 2020, is 2,091 units, which is 78% of the overall 10-year target. This progress is in line with pre-pandemic projections for this period.
A chart illustrating the number of units is attached as Schedule 1 to Item AHA 2020-109. For the future years in the chart, projections are based on known funding and development projects that are underway, as well as assumptions based on secondary suite creation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial and Resource Implications
There are no financial or resource implications associated with this Item.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Item AHA 2020-109 supports Council’s strategic directions:
Strengthen Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and well-being of our residents.
Growth Related Service Delivery: Create and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to support communities through the delivery of sustainable services.
Item AHA 2020-109 is consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Reference Documents
AHA 2020- 141 (September 18, 2020) Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report AHA 2020-101 (September 18, 2020) Affordable Rents, House Prices, and Tracking of Secondary Suites
Attachments
Schedule 1 – Targets Chart
Prepared By John Connell, Implementation Manager, Social Housing
Approvals Date Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing August 18, 2020 Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community Services August 21, 2020 Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance September 11, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Form Issued: November 2019
Page 40 of 73 Page 41 of 73 of 41 Page 1200 1500 1800 2100 2400 2700 3000 300 600 900 0 *Forecast based on known funding and assumptions regarding change market, to subject and partnerships external private regarding assumptions funding based *Forecastand on known 1 Schedule
3 1 Rental Development Rental 19
32 onyo ice1-erSrtg Affordable Unit CreationHousing County Simcoeof 10-Year Strategy– 39
47
134
222
Second Suites Suites (Unfunded) Second 250
292
386
544 TargetCreated Units 2,685by2024
633
735
818 Affordable 1017 Second Suites Suites (Funded) Second
1075 Housing
1144 Advisory 1181
1288 Committee
1381 AHA
1539 Actual 2020-109 1659 Homeownership 1873
2031
2091
2200
2288
2313 Rent Subsidies (All Subsidies Programs) Rent 2350
2371 Forecast*
2393
2412
2425
2438
2578
2591 Target Page 2605 1
2618
2631 Page 42 of 73
To: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section: Matters for Consideration Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: AHA 2020-141
Meeting Date: September 18, 2020
Subject: Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-141, dated September 18, 2020, regarding the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report, be received; and
That the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report, substantively in the form attached as Schedule 1 to Item AHA 2020-141, be approved and submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and disseminated to the general public.
Executive Summary
The County is required to report annually to the public on its progress with respect to Housing Our Future – Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy (Strategy) and provide the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) with a report, by no later than June 30 of each year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the County requested an extension of this timeline for 2020, and will submit the report to MMAH after Council approval.
Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report features progress towards implementation, completion of project milestones, and units achieved between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
Background/Analysis/Options
A draft Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report (Report) is attached as Schedule 1, and has been prepared using the same format and structure as detailed in Items AHA 15-013 (May 15, 2015), AHA 16-012 (April 15, 2016), AHA 17-017 (May 19, 2017), AHA 18-012 (May 18, 2018), and AHA 2019-186 (May 17, 2019) as approved by County Council.
The Report utilizes outcomes-based reporting, which has been promoted by MMAH, Policy Branch as a best practice. Outcomes-based reporting includes tangible performance metrics for evaluating outcomes, and assessing the impact of activities and progress towards achieving objectives of
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housing and homelessness plans. Specifically, the Results Based Accountability model has been used for the 2019 Annual Report, in alignment with the approach in previous annual reports. Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report (Report) highlights achievements across the five Strategic Themes contained in Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy (2014 -2024), as well as progress towards implementation actions outlined in Implementation Plan: Phase Two (2018-2020).
The Strategy has a target to create 2,685 units of affordable housing by 2024, this target is further broken into three separate targets of 895 units for each of the three implementation phases of the Strategy.
Phase Two of the Strategy’s Implementation Plan includes a target to create 895 units from 2018 - 2020. As of December 31, 2019, 96% of the Phase Two target had been achieved—or 856 units and since the onset of the Strategy in 2014, a cumulative total of 1,873 new units have been achieved, representing 70% of the ten-year target.
2019 Highlights Include:
Simcoe County Housing Corporation opened 147 new affordable housing units in Collingwood. Private proponents opened 80 new affordable housing units – including 20 in Alliston, five in Barrie, and 55 in Innisfil. 208 households were provided permanent housing with supports using Housing First Programs. Utilizing a combination of Federal, Provincial, and County funds, eighteen supportive units were created in Barrie, using a combination of County and Non-profit organization resources for a motel conversion project for people who have experienced homelessness. Five units were opened in Midland to provide safe haven and a home for survivors of Human Trafficking. New rental development builds were started and continued in 2019, including buildings in Wasaga Beach and Victoria Harbour. Worked with stakeholders to advocate for, promote, and deliver housing and homelessness services. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced Provincial funding allocation to Municipal Service Managers for the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) in an event in the County of Simcoe on July 31, 2019. By the end of 2019, four new transit routes were in place, with two more planned from Bradford to Alliston and Midland to Orillia. Many area municipalities began Official Plan and Community Improvement Plan (CIP) reviews with attention paid to supporting affordable housing within their communities. The County provided $2.095 Million in Provider Capital Repair Loans to maintain existing social housing units for investments into aging housing stock. Nineteen additional down-payment assistance payments were made for affordable homeownership, including down-payment assistance completions by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) and Habitat for Humanity, as well as under the County’s Affordable Homeownership Program.
Staff is in the process of working with Service Simcoe/Public Relations to ensure the final document meets all County of Simcoe communication and graphic standards. The communication process for reporting to the Province and public is as follows:
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Report to the Public: Produce both printed hardcopies and an electronic copy of the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report (Report) to be posted to the County of Simcoe webpage. Work with Service Simcoe/Public Relations to issue a press release announcing the completion of the Report; providing the public with a summary of what is being reported and a link to an online copy. Utilize County of Simcoe social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to promote the Report and share links for obtaining a copy.
Report to MMAH: Provide the MMAH with a copy of the Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report (Report), and indicate how it was reported to the public (e.g. as outlined above, through press release, annual reports, web-based materials, etc.).
Financial and Resource Implications
Minimal costs may be incurred for printing of hardcopies of the Report, however, these costs can be accommodated within the 2020 Social Housing budget.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Item AHA 2020-141 supports Council’s Strategic Direction:
Strengthened Social, Health, and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and wellbeing of our residents.
Item AHA 2020-141 is also consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Reference Documents
Item AHA 2019-186 (May 17, 2019), Housing Our Future: 2018 Annual Report Item AHA 18-012 (May 18, 2018), 2017 Annual Report: Housing Our Future Item AHA 17-017 (May 19, 2017), 2016 Annual Report – Housing Our Future Item AHA 16-012 (April 15, 2016), Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy, Draft - 2015 Annual Report Item AHA 15-013 (May 15, 2015), Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy – 2014 Annual Report Card
Attachments
Schedule 1 - Housing Our Future: 2019 Annual Report
Prepared By Andrea Walasek, Project Coordinator, Social Housing
Approvals Date John Connell, Implementation Manager, Social Housing August 18, 2020 Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing August 18, 2020
Page 45 of 73 September 18, 2020 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 2020-141 Page 4
Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community August 21, 2020 Services Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance September 11, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Page 46 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 1
HOUSING OUR FUTURE Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2019 Annual Report DRAFT
Page 47 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE WARDEN
When the County adopted Our member municipalities and two separated Community 10-Year Affordable Housing cities through the Municipal Liaison Group to and Homelessness Prevention Strategy tackle the issue of affordable housing in our in 2014, our vision was for adequate, region. appropriate and affordable housing for all Simcoe County residents. Over the past six years, The global COVID-19 pandemic we have worked towards underscores the importance our goal by funding new of strong leadership and builds and significant governance, and ensuring that developments, pursuing critical public assets, such as innovative partnerships with social housing, are protected. both private and not-for- Despite ongoing public health profit organizations, and challenges, we will continue collaborating with residents, stakeholders, and all levels of to pursue our affordable government. housing goals throughout 2020. We will continue to work with community partners to In 2019, 220 new affordable maintain a strong integrated rental units were created across the County service model for housing and supports that in the private, public and non-profit sectors serves our vulnerable households. using federal, provincial and regional government funds to create safe and affordable homes for a significant number of On behalf of Council, I would like to thank clients and families. you for your ongoing support of Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy. Working with our community partners, We are stronger together. we have made significant progress towards our goals throughout 2019. We can report that as of December 31, 2019, 1,873 new units have been created within Sincerely, Simcoe County through new development, rent supplements/housing allowances, homeownership assistance, and secondary suites, representing 70 per cent of our overall goal of 2,685 new units by 2024. George Cornell, Warden, County of Simcoe As a County, we have committed to working with all our partners for the greater good. The work of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee capitalizes on the strengths of stakeholders and elected representatives, and we continue to collaborate with our
2 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 48 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 3 HOUSING OUR FUTURE 2019 Annual Report JANUARY 1, 2019 – DECEMBER 31, 2019 About the Housing Our Future 2019 Report Card Definitions Under the Housing Services Act, 2011, the County of Simcoe, as Consolidated Municipal Outcome: Service Manager for this region, is responsible A condition of well-being for children, youth, for developing and implementing a 10-year adults, families, seniors, and/or all County residents. long-term affordable housing strategy. The County’s strategy, Our Community 10-Year Indicator: Affordable Housing and Homelessness A measure that helps quantify the Prevention Strategy, was approved by achievement of the desired outcome. County Council and first took effect in January 2014. Performance Measure: A measure of how well a program, agency, This Strategy has five key strategic themes or service system is working. which provide a solid basis for addressing affordable housing and homelessness across Under each strategic opportunity our region. They are: a number of indicators have been identified for tracking and performance 1. Establish Strong Leadership and measurement. Governance 2. Achieve Affordable Housing Target 3. Protect Existing Public Assets Performance 4. Plan for the Public Good 5. Create an Integrated Service Model for Measurement Housing and Supports Using Results Based Accountability, a simple common-sense framework, this report card will use three performance measures The Strategy is broken down into three to evaluate implementation of our strategy. implementation phases, setting a path towards the success of each strategic theme. HOW MUCH DID WE DO? The implementation actions provide a structure to build upon in our ultimate goal of QUANTITY # addressing affordable housing needs in our HOW WELL DID WE DO IT? community and preventing homelessness. QUALITY % IS ANYONE BETTER OFF? EFFECT/IMPACT = HOW ARE WE DOING?
2019 Annual Report | 3
Page 49 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 4 STRATEGIC THEME ONE ESTABLISH STRONG LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE The County of Simcoe recognizes the importance of a strong leadership and governance system to support member municipalities, stakeholders, businesses, and County residents. That is why it is the very first strategic theme in Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy (the Strategy). We know that strong leadership and effective governance are needed to execute the Strategy effectively.
In 2019 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee members, County Councillors, Community partners and staff engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders and sector associations to advocate for, promote, and deliver housing and homelessness services, including: • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) • Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) • Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) • Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) • Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) • Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) • Housing Services Corporation (HSC) • Enbridge Gas • Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) • Regional Planning Commissioners of Ontario, Affordable Housing Workgroup (RPCO) • Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) • Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee met five times throughout 2019 (in March, April, May, June, and September). The Committee addressed a variety of topics including: • 5-Year Update to the Strategy • shared accommodation • economical built forms for affordable housing • land lease communities and community land trusts • Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan
4 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 50 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 5 WORKING WITH ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT Contact with both the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), as well as local municipalities, is regular and ongoing regarding core business. 2019 highlights include: • CMHC Co-Investment Fund involvement with two projects in Simcoe County for affordable and supportive housing • County participation in the MMAH data forum • Ongoing working relationships with local municipalities
HOMELESSNESS SECTOR On July 31, 2019, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing OUTPUTS | HOW MUCH DID WE DO? visited Simcoe County to • Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHA) announce Provincial funding met five times allocation to Municipal • Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness Service Managers for the (SCATEH) met six times Community Homelessness • County staff attended Building Industry and Prevention Initiative (CHPI). Land Development Association (BILD) annual The announcement was made conference at Shelter Now, a transitional • Regular and ongoing contact with CMHC, housing program in Midland. MMAH, and others throughout the year After the formal announcement, the Minister was provided with OUTCOME | HOW WELL DID WE DO IT? a tour of the facility and its co-located service providers, • AHA meetings provided updates on affordable housing targets, Lucy’s Place Motel Conversion engaging in dialogue about the in Barrie, and an anti-human trafficking project County’s affordable housing in Midland and homelessness initiatives as well as integrated service • Continuing productive business relationship delivery approaches that were in between SCATEH and AHA, with two members of AHA representing the homelessness sector development. and County staff attending SCATEH meetings regularly Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH) EFFECT/IMPACT | IS ANYONE BETTER OFF? and County staff shared • Together, the County and community information and best practices stakeholders have achieved 70% of our target at the Canadian Alliance to with ongoing future development plans in End Homelessness National progress. We are on track to achieve our target and current/future plans in progress Conference along with many are ongoing to achieve targets set for the service providers and people remaining four years of Our Community 10- with lived experience. Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy SCATEH continues to work on a • Relationships have been cultivated and number of issues, including by- strengthened and partnerships are thriving in name list, coordinated access, the County of Simcoe across the affordable new HIFIS technology, and the housing and homelessness sectors Housing First strategy.
2019 Annual Report | 5
Page 51 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 6 STRATEGIC THEME TWO ACHIEVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TARGET OBJECTIVE The key objective of Strategic Theme Two is the successful achievement of the affordable housing targets set out within the 10-Year Strategy. The County’s goal is to create 2,685 new affordable housing units for Simcoe County residents by 2024.
Communities within Simcoe County have worked together as a team to create 585 new units across the County in 2019, bringing the current total to 1,873 new units since the creation of the strategy in 2014. This is 70% of the way to our overall target by 2024. These new units are thanks to many years of effective leadership and hard work from County Council and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, stakeholders, community partners, and staff to create and build new affordable housing.
This includes new rental developments, rent supplements/housing allowances, homeownership assistance, and the creation of secondary suites across the County of Simcoe that have been created by the County, its partners, private sector, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
Annual Report - 2019 Update - (January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019)
Affordable Homeownership 17 Down-Payment Assistance Program
Affordable homeownership units created by Habitat for Humanity 585 2 New units created in 2019
Affordable rental 220 development 1,873 Total New Units Rent supplements/housing allowance created since 2014 funded by federal, provincial and 81 municipal governments
Secondary Suites created with and outside 265 of government funding
6 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 52 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 7 22 2019 new% units
482014-2018% Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Strategy
30Remaining% Units to be created (2020-2024) RENTAL DEVELOPMENT In 2019, Simcoe County Housing Corporation was proud to open 147* new affordable housing units in Collingwood. Additionally, 80 units were opened by private proponents in three projects: 20 units in Alliston, 5 units in Barrie, and 55 in Innisfil. Using Provincial and County funds, 18 supportive units were created for people who have experienced homelessness at the Lucy’s Place motel conversion project in Barrie. Five units opened in Midland to provide a safe haven and a home for survivors of human trafficking.
These developments not only replace aging housing stock, they add a significant amount of new affordable housing to communities located within the County of Simcoe, allowing more people and their families to have safe, stable, affordable shelter where they can continue to build their lives and contribute to their community. *117 net new as 30 of the 147 units were replacements for former rent-geared-to-income units.
FUTURE RENTAL DEVELOPMENTS New rental development builds started and continued in 2019 as well. Buildings in Wasaga Beach, Victoria Harbour, and a renovation from a fire at an affordable housing building in Barrie are expected to begin welcoming new residents in 2020, creating an additional 151 affordable rental homes for residents. In 2021, an additional supportive housing and homelessness services hub is planned to open in Orillia through the Building Hope project. In 2019, a community consultation process was conducted to plan a vision for the County Orillia Campus Project on the former high school property in Orillia. As of August 2020, County Council has approved an affordable housing and social and community services campus development for this location including 130 units.
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RENT SUPPLEMENTS The County of Simcoe uses a variety of methods to help low-income residents get ahead including people in receipt of social assistance benefits. One of those methods is through rent supplements and housing allowances. This is a subsidy that bridges the gap between what a tenant can afford to pay and full market rent. These subsidies can vary in both amount and duration. In 2019, the County and its Partners helped 81 households through new rent supplements/housing allowances, for a total of 604 rent supplements/housing allowances since 2014. Rent Supplements are used to ensure residents of the County are able to afford safe and stable housing while still being able to pay for the basic necessities, including heat, hydro, groceries, and other basic amenities.
Thank you so much for all of your help OUTPUTS | HOW MUCH DID WE DO? over the years. My daughter and I truly appreciate it and I hope you feel good 1,873 total new affordable housing units created at the end of the day knowing you really since 2014 do make a difference in the lives of those you work with. OUTCOMES | HOW WELL DID WE DO IT? Without this program, being a single 70% to overall target of 2,685 by 2024 mum on minimum wage, I don’t know how I would have managed. This program gave me the help I needed and, EFFECT/IMPACT | IS ANYONE BETTER OFF? with the little extra wiggle room, I was able to go back to school and get a job • Of the 585 new units created in 2019: that helped me move out of that minimum • 19 new households assisted with down wage position. payments for affordable homeownership The program works, I am proof of that. and/or Habitat for Humanity builds • 220 new affordable rental units created Thank you again so much. Stay safe during this crazy time we are going • 265 new secondary suites created through. • 81 low-income households assisted through rent supplements/housing allowances - Recipient of Rent Supplement 8 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 54 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 9 HOMEOWNERSHIP AFFORDABILITY IN their own home where they can establish SIMCOE COUNTY roots and build equity. This also frees up their existing rental space for a new tenant to move STORY BEHIND THE DATA in and assists in replenishing affordable and In 2019, the Municipal Property Assessment market-rent rental stock in communities. Corporation (MPAC) reported 507 home sales in Simcoe County that were at or below the ONTARIO RENOVATES PROGRAM affordable house price for median income Ontario Renovates is a program that households, by municipality*. This number provides financial assistance in the form of includes homes that were priced below each a 10-year forgivable loan to make essential municipality’s affordable home price, which home repairs, and/or a grant to increase a ranges from $214,000 to $419,500. homeowner’s accessibility. It is being delivered by the County of Simcoe with funding from the This figure does show that homeownership in federal and provincial governments. the County of Simcoe is challenging to find, but there is still a small inventory of affordably Examples of eligible repair projects include priced homes, as well as ongoing demand for mold remediation, plumbing or septic repairs, more. and roofing or structural repairs. Examples of accessibility modifications include the *Prices are based on certain assumptions about interest installation of ramps, hand rails, or chair and rate, property tax, mortgage insurance, and down- bath lifts. payment, and include not spending more than 30% of income on mortgage. Sale prices obtained through MPAC Ontario Renovates makes it affordable for data. homeowners to remain in their homes; for seniors the program assists with aging in place. AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 37 households received The County of Simcoe provides eligible assistance with urgent individuals and families with down-payment home repairs and assistance towards the purchase of a home accessibility modifications (in the form of a forgivable loan) through its in 2019. This totals 260 Homeownership Program. households assisted since 2014. This program allows individuals and families to move out of rental accommodation into
Down-Payment Assistance* 115 recipients since 2014 37 households received Down-Payment Assistance* assistance with urgent home recipients in 2019 repairs and accessibility 19 modifications in 2019 *Including Down-Payment Assistance Completions by OAHS and Habitat for Humanity
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Page 55 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 10 STRATEGIC THEME THREE PROTECT EXISTING PUBLIC ASSETS Ensure protection of existing public housing assets amidst end of operating agreements and aging housing stock.
The goals of this Strategic Theme are that at least 85% of historical units remain affordable and within the social housing stock and that the stock is maintained, repaired, and where possible, upgraded to improve efficiency and sustainability. HOW ARE WE DOING? Out of the original 4,113 units in the social housing portfolio, 93.5% remain as historical social housing stock within the County’s portfolio. While 266 former social housing units have expired out of the system, almost 100% continue to be affordable.
units of mandated social former social housing housing remain in the units remain affordable 3,847 social housing portfolio* 263 housing inventory.
*This includes properties owned by the Simcoe County Housing Corporation, as well as non-profit providers.
OUTPUTS | HOW MUCH DID WE DO? EFFECT/IMPACT | IS ANYONE 3,847 of the original 4,113 historical social BETTER OFF? housing units remain in the affordable Nearly all historical social housing housing portfolio units have remained in the affordable housing price range, even as some OUTCOMES | HOW WELL DID WE have left the portfolio. In 2019, $2.095 DO IT? Million in Provider Capital Repair Loans were issued and $1.3 Million • 93.5% remain in the historical was invested in maintaining Simcoe social housing system County Housing Corporation assets • 99.9% of the original 4,113 historical to ensure affordable housing remains social housing units remain affordable, sustainable, and safe. as affordable housing in the community
10 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 56 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 11 PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SOCIAL HOUSING UPGRADES AND REPAIRS To properly maintain aging social housing stock, the County of Simcoe regularly invests in these buildings to ensure safety and compliance. In Simcoe County Housing Corporation (SCHC) buildings, energy intensity has been reduced by 2.4ekW-hr/ft2 since 2018 to the 2019 level of 15.98ekW-hr/ft2 for an overall reduction of 13% year-over-year energy consumption. The County of Simcoe has a Capital Repair Loan Program for Non-Profit and Co-Operative Social Housing Providers.
$1.3M $2M Maintenance on Simcoe County Provider Capital Repair Loans Housing Corporation assets totalled in 2019 totalled
CENTRALIZED WAIT LIST | There is a decrease is the number of seniors RENT-GEARED-TO-INCOME waiting for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) As of December 31, 2019, the total number of housing in 2019 compared with the previous applicants on the Centralized Waitlist was year. This can be attributed, in part, to seniors 4,343, an increase of 11% over the waitlist who moved into Affordable Housing and then reported in 2018. opted to cancel their RGI application. Applicants on the waitlist include: 2019 Centralized Waitlist data shows a • Seniors: 20.2% continued demand for social and affordable • Adults with no dependants: 51.5% housing. A focus on one-bedroom units and the use of rent supplements/housing • Households with dependants: 28.3% allowances continue to provide a balanced In 2019, there were 1,902 new applications approach towards meeting the needs of processed, an 8.6% increase from applications residents across the County. processed in 2018. 42% more applications were cancelled in 2019 than in 2018.
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Page 57 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 12 STRATEGIC THEME FOUR PLAN FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD OBJECTIVE Utilizing a range of policy and planning tools, Strategic Theme Four strengthens the supply of affordable housing by working with local municipalities. The goal of this strategic theme is to encourage all municipalities to adopt planning, financial and policy tools highlighted within Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy to facilitate and promote affordable housing development.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION One key way this goal can be accomplished is by continuing to develop transportation modes across the County of Simcoe to support access to services. This is achieved through the LINX and LINX +. These are effective public transit systems which provide reliable and cost-efficient transportation between major urban hubs and local transit services within the County. With a goal of six new public transportation routes being opened by 2021, the County is on track to hit this target.
Route (return trip) Projected Opening Status Midland-Penetanguishene-Barrie Summer 2018 Opened Wasaga Beach-Stayner-Barrie August 2019 Opened Orillia-Oro Medonte-Barrie August 2019 Opened Collingwood-Wasaga Beach August 2019 Opened Alliston-Bradford West Gwillimbury August 2020 Opened Midland-Orillia Spring 2021 On schedule to open
12 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 58 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 13 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Another method the County of Simcoe is using to plan for the public good is through planning for future growth and anticipating the housing needs of our communities. The Municipal Liaison Group (MLG) meets quarterly to promote and encourage affordable housing practices and policies. The MLG comprises mainly planning staff from the member municipalities across the County as well as Barrie and Orillia. As part of those quarterly meetings, the MLG addressed topics including: • age-friendly strategies • compact built-forms • the County’s transit program • Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan • official plans and community improvement plans • community benefits charges • shared accommodation • Municipal Deputations continue to be presented upon request to area municipalities Municipal Liaison Group BEST PRACTICES AND INCENTIVES The County recommends optimal standards to municipalities within the County to support the creation of new affordable housing within their communities. Partner municipalities can implement tools and incentives identified as the optimal standard, or variations of them that would work best for their respective areas.
Optimal standards that are promoted for member municipalities and the Cities of Barrie and Orillia include: • 100% Development Charge Relief (for example: a grant for development charges with a commitment to a minimum of ten years affordable housing) • 100% Property Tax Incentives (for example: exemption of property taxes as long as affordable housing is maintained) • 100% Waived Planning and Building Fees • Reduced/Waived Parkland Dedication Requirements • Reduced Parking Requirements (where required) • Dedicated Project Manager/Fast Track Approval System • Pre-zoned Areas (Flexible Zoning) • Surplus Land (Pre-Approved) • Economical Built Forms (smaller types of residential units and lot sizes) • Capital Funding (for example: a forgivable loan to facilitate the development of affordable housing for a defined period of time) • Promotion of Inclusionary Zoning, where applicable
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Page 59 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 14 CASE STUDIES I CITY OF BARRIE AND TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH CIP REVIEWS
Barrie
Wasaga Beach
Barrie The City of Barrie’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides financial incentives for eligible projects that target key planning and growth management objectives for development within Barrie including affordable housing projects, brownfield site redevelopment, and mixed use developments within the Urban Growth Centre, key intensification areas, and the preservation of built heritage. The effect of the CIP will be to provide financial incentives designed to achieve emerging community goals and priorities which target key planning and growth management objectives for development within the City.
Barrie’s Incentive Programs There are three incentive programs offered through the CIP: • Redevelopment Grant Program; • Preservation of Built Heritage Grant Program; and, • Affordable Housing Development Grant Program.
14 | 2019 Annual Report
Page 60 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 15 CASE STUDIES I CITY OF BARRIE AND TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH CIP REVIEWS Wasaga Beach The Town of Wasaga Beach hosted a workshop on behalf of OUTPUTS | HOW MUCH DID WE DO? the Ontario Professional Planners The County’s Municipal Liaison Group Institute (OPPI), in partnership with (MLG) met regularly in 2019 to explore Parkbridge and the Rural Ontario topics including rent supplements and Institute, to discuss the “Missing homeownership programs, age-friendly Middle”. The workshop sparked strategies, long-term affordable housing, discussion and brainstorming capital projects, compact built-forms, the on the future success of towns County’s transit program, a housing supply and cities being inextricably consultation, official plans and community connected to their ability to improvement plans, community benefits provide “Missing Middle” housing charges, shared accommodation, and for their communities. The planning for an affordable housing forum workshop touched on economic to be held in the County. development, community health, aging in place, resiliency and growth. This event was attended OUTCOMES | HOW WELL DID WE by developers, planners, agencies DO IT? (i.e. health unit representatives), • Since 2014, six new transit routes and community leaders from across Simcoe County have been Central Ontario. planned, with four already operating, and another two scheduled to begin Wasaga Beach, Community operations in the near future. Improvement Plan (CIP) • MLG meetings have a strong The Town’s leadership and attendance from area municipalities, planning staff is currently with local representatives from updating the Official Plan and the municipalities attending regularly. local Community Improvement Plan with the intent to promote EFFECT/IMPACT | IS ANYONE BETTER affordable housing options within OFF? the community. Specific measures to plan for the public good included Wasaga Beach hosting the “Missing Middle Summit” (with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute) and their efforts to review the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), including the intent to promote affordable housing options across the municipality. The City of Barrie has also recently reviewed their CIP and has been supportive of new investment strategies and planning to allow for a more diverse housing stock to allow for affordable and attainable housing in places across the City where it is needed most.
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Page 61 of 73 Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA -2020-141 Page 16 STRATEGIC THEME FIVE CREATE AN INTEGRATED SERVICE MODEL FOR HOUSING AND SUPPORTS OBJECTIVE Strategic Theme Five identifies the need for and facilitates the creation of an integrated service model used for housing and supports. The goal of this strategic theme is to strengthen Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy by providing for those most in need in our community, with specific measures to identify, support and house people experiencing homelessness using a Housing First approach
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS IN SIMCOE COUNTY Housing First strategies include providing stable housing to individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness, enabling them to move from the streets of our communities and/or emergency shelters into long-term housing that is stable and comes with support. This stable housing allows agencies to deliver critical services needed to help people improve their quality of life and foster self-sufficiency. 227 50 individuals supported households assisted by the County of Simcoe with Rapid Re-housing Domiciliary Care Program 208 47,032* households in permanent Total # of nights spent in housing with supports using emergency shelters Housing First Programs 170 households assisted with transitional housing
*Combined households
16 | 2019 Annual Report
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SUCCESS STORY I LUCY’S PLACE MOTEL CONVERSION
Following the County’s 2017 Affordable Housing Forum, a need was identified in our community for a supportive housing project. It was determined that this could be achieved by the County in conjunction with several of its partners through a motel conversion project. The County partnered with Redwood Park Communities, the David Busby Centre, and the City of Barrie to create an 18-unit supportive housing complex using an old motel and adjacent house.
The property was purchased later the same year by the County of Simcoe with the Province of Ontario’s Home for Good funding program, a grant from the City of Barrie’s 2018 Community Improvement Plan, and the County of Simcoe’s Social Housing Reserve Fund. Through a leasing agreement, Redwood Park Communities renovated and continues to operate the facility, while a support service agreement signed with the David Busby Centre means that their staff provides a supportive housing program to residents and are on site 24/7.
The grand opening of the facility took place on October 10, 2019 to celebrate this significant accomplishment and introduce the project to the greater community.
2017Identified need 2018 2019 for a supportive Construction Grand housing project started Opening
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PROVIDING HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION HOUSING RETENTION REQUESTS 2019 SUPPORTS IN SIMCOE COUNTY Housing retention programs continue to be a key driver of assistance provided by the Non-Social County of Simcoe in support of homelessness Assistance prevention measures. These requests come 10% through via three main channels: Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, and Ontario Works Ontario Non-Social Assistance. The chart on the right 52% Disability illustrates where the 4,123 requests processed by Support caseworkers originated. Program 38% SIMCOE COUNTY HIFIS HIFIS (Homeless Individuals and Families Information System) is an information system provided by the Government of Canada’s Employment and Social Development Canada department, and is a community-level data The following milestones were achieved in 2019: collection and case management information • 9500+ client files system. • 201 active HIFIS users • 26 agencies Anonymous data from HIFIS is used nationally for the National Shelter Study and the Shelter • 11 in-person training sessions Capacity Report. It is also used locally to gain a better understanding of the issues of The focus for HIFIS in 2020 continues to homelessness in Simcoe County, and to better be project development and refining HIFIS plan for services and initiatives. At the service operations. Project development focusses on provider level, data from HIFIS is used for case the development of reports from HIFIS, and HIFIS management, helping front-line staff provide operations is focused on training with front-end coordinated services and reduce duplication for users (i.e. service provider staff), data quality, HIFIS clients. and policy and procedures.
In Simcoe County, HIFIS project development More information about HIFIS can be found at: and operations are led in partnership by • County of Simcoe: HIFIS Support Centre - the Children and Community Services and simcoe.ca/hifis Information Technology departments, with • Employment and Social Development input from service provider representatives Canada: Homeless Individuals and Families known as Super Users. Information System - canada.ca/en/ employment-social-development/programs/ homelessness/hifis.html In 2019, the County of Simcoe launched HIFIS with its funded service providers in the homelessness sector, specifically with the following programs: Housing Support, Housing First, Emergency Shelter, Motel Voucher, and Transitional Housing.
18 | 2019 Annual Report
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RESULTS BASED ACCOUNTABILITY compared to 2018 data): • Households assisted with housing PERFORMANCE retention funding for rent and utilities MEASUREMENT • Housing Retention requests processed by caseworkers OUTPUTS | HOW MUCH DID WE DO? • Vulnerable households assisted County staff processed 4,123 requests for through Housing First Housing Retention in 2019: EFFECT/IMPACT | IS ANYONE BETTER • 52% of requests were OFF? from Ontario Works recipients 1,716 households were • 38% were requests from Ontario assisted with funding for Disability Support Program recipients housing retention to aid • 10% were requests received from Non- households in paying Social Assistance applicants rent and utility arrears, preventing eviction and/or loss of utility services OUTCOMES | HOW WELL DID WE DO IT? In 2019, there were increases in the following programs processed (as
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County of Simcoe, Social Housing Department 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst, Ontario L9X 1N6 Phone 705-726-9300 Fax 705-719-4626 [email protected] simcoe.ca
Release Date: October 2020
Service Simcoe
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To: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section: Human Services Division: Social and Community Services Department: Social Housing
Item Number: AHA - 2020-257
Meeting Date: September 18, 2020
Subject: Building Hope Project Update
Recommendation
That Item AHA 2020-257, dated September 18, 2020 regarding a Building Hope Project Update, be received.
Executive Summary
Building Hope is the not-for-profit project to build a new community services hub and shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as a separate supportive housing facility, in Orillia. The project is receiving capital and operating funds from the County as well as funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Province, the City of Orillia, and significant fundraising dollars. Item AHA 2020-257 provides an update on the progress of the project.
Background/Analysis/Options
Building Hope, Orillia, a project by The Lighthouse, operating under the legal umbrella of the Orillia Christian Centre, is supported by a group of over 80 volunteers, led by an executive team, who are working to create a Community Services Hub, located on a 2.4 acre property at 75 Queen Street East, Orillia. This hub will include 40 emergency shelter beds for men, women and families, including an emergency responder room, plus five separate youth rooms, a clinical treatment room and a commercial grade kitchen. In addition, the project site will include a separate 20-unit supportive housing facility for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. Both the shelter hub and the supportive housing are under construction. They will replace the current 14- bed men’s shelter, soup kitchen and drop-in that The Lighthouse currently operates on Peter Street. A future phase is intended for 10-20 affordable housing units on the same site on Queen Street.
The general contractor has worked throughout the pandemic. The supportive housing building is fully enclosed with the roof in place and windows installed. The shelter/community services hub
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building is nearing full enclosure with windows installation to occur soon. The scheduled completion date for the project is spring 2021. Photographs of the construction site are attached as Schedule 1 to Item AHA 2020-257.
Through approval of Item CCW 18-028 (January 23, 2018) and Item CCW 2019-256 (June 25, 2019) the County is providing capital funding to the project as follows:
$2.7 million construction loan to be repaid at project completion by a long-term third party loan, which will be serviced by monthly affordability payments from the Province under the Home for Good (HFG) program. The HFG funding is for the 20-unit supportive housing facility; $2.5 million interest free loan, provided during construction, to be repaid within three years of project completion through the Building Hope fundraising campaign; $736,000 forgivable loan, provided during construction, with forgiveness over 20 years.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is also providing almost $5.7 million in funds. The City of Orillia provided $390,000 to purchase the land, has reduced the letters of credit it requires for landscaping securities, and will provide relief from its development charges. Furthermore, significant capital fundraising has been done, with approximately $2.2 million raised to date; funds continue to be raised by the Building Hope team. County funds are secured on title along with the City of Orillia and CMHC funds.
The County has flowed most of the $2.7 million construction loan, and made the first two payments under the forgivable loan. CMHC has now started to flow its funds as monthly construction draws. The intent is that County construction funds will flow again once the CMHC funds have been provided.
In addition to the capital funds, the County will provide ongoing operating funds to Building Hope for both rent subsidies and supportive housing workers associated with the 20 units of supportive housing. These funds are a flow through of Provincial funds under the HFG program. HFG operating funds will amount to approximately $325,000 in 2021, subject to confirmation of rent levels, which will be capped at 80% of CMHC average market rents for the project as a whole. For 2020/2021, the County also provided approximately $360,000 to The Lighthouse’s existing operations using provincial Community Homeless Prevention Initiative funds.
Through the use of provincial and federal pandemic relief funds allocated by the County, as well as community donations, the operations of The Lighthouse have been temporarily expanded during the pandemic to assist more men as well as women, families and youth, by offering accommodation, services and staff support in two local hotels. Since March 2020, 117 males, 73 females and at least 18 families have been assisted with shelter. The 14-bed shelter location at Peter Street is being used for daily supports, including provision of bagged lunches, but no individuals are currently residing there. As a combination of meals provided to those in shelter, and meals provided to the public, The Lighthouse has served over 14,800 meals since March 2020.
Building Hope is continuing with its fundraising campaign for capital and operations, both current and future. Information is provided via a newsletter on the orillialighthouse.ca website. Their goal, if possible, is not to draw on the $2.5 million construction loan facility from the County that has been registered on title.
The long-term goal of building affordable rental housing on the vacant portion of the land at Queen Street remains in place. However, the Orillia Christian Centre wants to ensure that the Building
Form Issued: March 2020
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Hope initiative is operational with no mortgage, other than that serviced by the provincial Home for Good affordability payments, before this third phase starts.
Staff will bring a further report on the progress of the project.
Financial and Resource Implications
There are no new financial or resource implications associated with this Item.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Strengthen Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and well-being of our residents.
Item AHA 2020-257 is also consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Reference Documents
CCW 18-028 (January 23, 2018) Funding for Building Hope, Orillia Supportive Housing Project CCW 2019-256 (June 25, 2019) Building Hope Project, Orillia
Attachments
Schedule 1 – Photographs of construction site
Prepared By John Connell, Implementation Manager
Approvals Date Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing August 21, 2020 Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community Services August 24, 2020 Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance September 11, 2020 Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Form Issued: March 2020
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Schedule 1 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 2020-257 Page 2
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