Report to/Rapport au:

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services communautaires et de protection

10 November 2011 / le 10 novembre 2011

Submitted by/Soumis par : Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint, City Operations/Opérations municipales

Contact Person/Personne ressource :

Janice Burelle, Administrator, Housing Services /

Administratice, Services de logement (613) 580-2424 x44239, Janice.Burelle@ottawa.ca

City Wide / à l’échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2011-COS-CSS-0012

SUBJECT:	HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS INVESTMENT PLAN STATUS REPORT – INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE BUDGET ESTIMATES

OBJET :	RAPPORT DE SITUATION DU PLAN D’INVESTISSEMENT DANS LE LOGEMENT ET LES SANS-ABRI – RENSEIGNEMENTS SUPPLÉMENTAIRES AUX PRÉVISIONS BUDGÉTAIRES

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Community and Protective Services Committee receive this report as information supplemental to the 2012 budget.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection prenne connaissance de ce rapport à titre d’information supplémentaire au budget préliminaire de 2012.

BACKGROUND

In May 2011, City Council approved a $14M Housing & Poverty Reduction Investment Plan Report as part of the 2011 budget process. The investments reflect the priority needs identified by staff and the community associated with the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Homelessness Strategy Development, the work of the Housing System Working Group and input from sector specific housing groups.

The approved investments provide financial supports to assist people with accessing or maintaining housing and fall into the following categories:

· employment programs for vulnerable youth;

· supports for people to obtain housing and/or to stabilize in current living arrangements;

· social housing repairs;

· capital for new affordable or supportive housing; and

· rent supplements and housing allowances.

While Ottawa has a reputation, based on fact, for its residents being more affluent and better educated on average than other Canadians[1], it is also an expensive place to live and there are significant numbers of people living in poverty, and too many that experience homelessness. For example:

· In 2007, 18.4% of Ottawa (Census Metropolitan Area) residents lived in poverty[2].

· Currently, almost 7% of residents (representing over 64,000 men, women and children) are in receipt of social assistance (OW/ODSP) with caseload increases forecasted into 2014.

· Over 40% of renters pay more than 30% of their income on rent, while 10% of renters pay more than 50% of their income on rent[3]; and these numbers are expected to grow.

· There are on average 1,225 individuals who stay in a shelter each night (2010).

· Ottawa has a high cost of living. Of 18 large Canadian cities, Ottawa had the highest cost of living increase of 2.6% from 2009 to 2010, tied with Toronto[4]. Rents have risen faster than the cost living - 3.7%[5], compared to a 2.6% rise in the Consumer Price Index between 2009 and 2010 for Ottawa-Gatineau.

· The average cost of a bachelor apartment in Ottawa is $715 per month, which is almost double the $372 per month that a single person receives for the maximum shelter allowance.

However, there is also evidence that the City and the community together are making a difference. For example, when comparing 2010 data with the previous year:

· The total number of individuals using shelters decreased by 28 – from 7,184 in 2009 to 7,156 in 2010;

· There was a 2.3% decrease in the number of single men;

· A 1.5% decrease in men’s stay;

· 31 days was the average stay for youth, an 8.8% decrease (in shelters under and over 18 years of age); and

· 2,136 households moved from emergency shelters to permanent housing; plus 421 households moved from the street to emergency shelters, and 162 households moved from the street to permanent housing.

The $14M Housing and Homelessness Investment Plan will make a further significant impact on many of the lives of Ottawa’s most vulnerable residents.

DISCUSSION

Staff and community partners alike have demonstrated considerable cooperation and commitment to the planning, designing, implementation, monitoring and reporting on 15 separate projects associated with the 7 Council approved Investment Envelopes. This significant collaboration stems from having established common objectives among the stakeholders in the Housing and Supports System and builds on successful practices in the community, resulting in a more integrated and effective service system. Please refer to Document 2 for a graphic of the Housing and Support System.

In the six months since Council approval of the Investment Plan in May of this year, over 680 households have benefited directly from the investments; and based on commitments made this year, we project that over 950 households will benefit from the investments by year end.

For details of the implementation highlights and outcomes please refer to Document 1, attached to this report.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

The proposed investments impact both rural and urban residents of Ottawa.

CONSULTATION

The Housing Systems Working Group as well as sector-specific housing groups/networks including private sector landlords have been involved in the planning, design and implementation of the Housing & Homelessness Investment Plan.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

N/A

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no legal impediments to receiving the information in this report.

RISK MANAGMENT IMPLICATIONS

There are no risk management implications associated with this report.

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

Supports Sustainable Healthy and Caring Communities – Improve social and affordable housing (HC3)

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications associated with this report.

ACCESSIBILITY IMPACTS

People with disabilities and seniors are among those who are benefiting from housing with supports. Additionally, the new affordable housing project that will be built will include accessible units suitable for large families.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 – Status Update of the Seven Investment Envelopes

Document 2 – Housing and Supports System

Document 3 - Income versus Rental Accommodation Costs in Ottawa

DISPOSITION

Staff will action any direction received as part of consideration of this report.

Document 1

Housing and Homelessness Investment Plan Status Report

Legend: In progress / on track Exceeded target Completed

Investments & Annualized Budget	Accomplishments (Up to mid- October, 2011)	Status
Investment Envelope #1 *Community ODSP Application Support Program* *($185K annually)*	2011 Target: 150 households approved for ODSP benefits Implementation Highlights: Contracted with Centre 454; full complement of trained staff as of July 15, 2011 Accomplishment: 133 households have been granted ODSP benefits, resulting in a cumulative increase in financial resources of approximately $760K to low income households.
Investment Envelope #2 *Energy Assistance Fund* *($205K annually)*	2011 Target: 200 low income households not receiving social assistance Implementation Highlights: Delivered by the City’s Social Services staff. The profile of those benefiting include: 72% are women, 54% are families with three or more members in the household, 46% are sole support families, 9% are seniors Accomplishment: 216 households have benefited from the Fund. The Fund was fully utilized by mid-October. The average amount of assistance per household was $945.00.
Investment Envelope #3. a *Youth Futures* *($187,500 – 2011; $300K annually)*	2011 Target: 50 youth living in social housing or on social assistance Implementation Highlights: Partnership with Ottawa Community Housing (OCHC), University of Ottawa and the City; with program coordinator residing at OCHC. Program components included a 6 week summer employment program, 144 hours leadership development training, 2 week post secondary mentorship program, and follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to provide employment supports and document school progress. A Youth Futures video was created, profiling participants and partner testimonials which will be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Link to video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1C-kNu1Ykc. A Champions’ Table and a Coordinators’ Table have been established to guide the sustainability and growth of Youth Futures into 2012 and beyond. Accomplishment: 51 youth graduated in special ceremony held on August 31, 2011
Investment Envelope #3. b *Youth Employment Initiatives* *($187,500 – 2011; $200K annually)*	2011 Target: 100 participants Implementation Highlights: The program engages youth 16 to 30 years of age who are receiving social assistance and are either not attending school or are at risk of dropping out of school to support them in achieving their education, training or employment goals. The profile of youth engaged in the program is: 40% women, 60% men; 77% are between the age of 18 and 24 years old; 91% do not have grade 12; and 63% have less than grade 11. Accomplishment: 100 youth have been assessed; 49 have been coached into education, training or employment, 15 are being tracked as part of a two month follow-up period, and 34 have successfully completed their Youth Initiative program; thereby increasing their educational and / or employment opportunities.
Investment Envelope #4.a *Rent Supplements* *($1.7M – 2011, $3.4M - 2012, $4.25M - 2013 onwards)*	2011 Target: 450 households on the Centralized Waiting List either living in shelters or in unaffordable housing provided with rent supplements. Implementation Highlights: New simplified, improved process and contract developed in consultation with Landlords. Both private sector and non-profit landlords have expressed interest in participating in the Rent Supplement Program. Available units include a mixture of those with existing tenants who are paying a high proportion of their income on rent (in-situ) and units that will become available to the Rent Supplement Program once the existing tenants move out of the unit. The process of soliciting interested landlords and matching them with eligible households is ongoing. Accomplishment: 137 households are receiving Rent Supplements and have been removed from the social housing’s Centralized Waiting List; with 59 of the households moving into housing from the emergency shelters and 3 people who had been living on the street. In addition to the Rent Supplement agreements that landlords have already signed with tenants, another 179 units have been committed to the program – 45 with private sector landlords and 134 with non-profit landlords. 40 of these units are for in-situ tenants and final agreements are imminent; while 128 units will be made available over time when the existing tenant vacates the unit.
Investment Envelope #4.b *Housing Allowances* *($300K – 2011, $600K - 2012, $750K - 2013 onwards)*	2011 Target: 100 households living on the streets, in shelters or vulnerably housed provided with housing allowances for permanent housing Implementation Highlights: On October 20, 2011 the Community and Protective Services Committee received an information report outlining the framework for an Ottawa Short Term Rent Support Program (OSTRSP) negotiated with MCSS and MMAH to ensure that the allowances paid directly to recipient households will not negatively affect other benefits they may receive. Partnerships have been established with the Housing Response Team to house people currently living on the street and with the Housing Loss Prevention Network to prevent homelessness due to economic reasons. Accomplishment: Housing for 100 people will be more affordable and sustainable.
Investment Envelope #5.a *Cornerstone Supportive Housing for Women* *($255K annually)*	2011 Target: 42 homeless women moving into supportive housing Implementation Highlights: The City partnered with the Provincial Government to house homeless women in a supportive residential environment operated by Cornerstone. 60% of the women are older adults. Accomplishment: 42 homeless women with complex physical and psycho-social needs moved into Cornerstone in July and August, 2011.
Investment Envelope #5.b *Transitional Emergency Shelter Program* *$375K - 2011 plus facility costs, $750K – 2012 onwards*	2011 Target: 30 to 50 homeless adults with highly complex needs stabilized within targeted shelter program Implementation Highlights: Work is well underway with key City and community stakeholders. Details will be made available in the near future.
Investment Envelope #5.c - Families *Supports for Housing First* *$500K – 2011; $1M - 2012 onwards)*	2011 Target: 200 chronically homeless families and / or families at imminent risk of becoming homeless provided with multi-disciplinary team support to stabilize families in housing and prevent future use of emergency shelters Implementation Highlights: Multi-lingual, multi-disciplinary housing wrap-around support services provided by Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre in partnership with the Housing Loss Prevention Network. People served include homeless families with complex needs who are moving out of emergency shelters into new communities and families at-risk of becoming homeless. This is being done in combination with financial supports such as rent supplements / housing allowances. Accomplishment: Contract signed with Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, service delivery flow chart and referral protocols developed. Program began receiving referrals mid September. 17 families have been served impacting 43 children, with 14 of the families moving from the City’s Family Shelter into housing and 3 families prevented from becoming homeless.
Investment Envelope #5.c – Single People *Supports for Housing First* *$500K – 2011; $1M - 2012 onwards)*	2011 Target: 30 single people with complex needs moved from emergency shelters into permanent housing with supports Implementation Highlights: Partnerships established with John Howard Society, YM-YWCA, OCHC and the YSB to provide supportive housing and assistance with moving to independent living in the community, where and when appropriate. Housing and client support services are set to begin in late October / early November. Accomplishment: Over 80 single men and women supported to either move from emergency shelters into housing with supports or to move from transitional housing into independent living, resulting in fewer people living in emergency shelters and new people being able to access transitional housing.
Investment Envelope #6 *Social Housing Repairs / Renewal* *$3.1M – 2011; $2M – 2012 onwards, plus unallocated annualized operating dollars*	2011 Target: $3.1M in capital repairs for social housing Implementation Highlights: Repairs were focused on the following priority areas: $1.5M to address health & safety issues; $70K to enhance accessibility and ageing-in-place; $915K to improve energy efficiencies and reduce costs for tenants and providers; and $575K to remediate structural problems. Accomplishment: 38 repair projects, with 22 different social housing providers, have been approved and are on-track for being completed by year end. 9 projects have been completed to Oct 15, 2011.
Investment Envelope #7 *New Affordable Housing Projects* *$4M annually 2011 - 2014*	2011 Target: Three stacked townhouses (26 units) Implementation Highlights: City’s Planning Department is currently reviewing the Site Planning Application submitted by OCHC. Accomplishment: Site plan is for 26 stacked townhouse units with 4 accessible units for large families. Construction is expected to begin in early December 2011, with occupancy in the 4^th quarter, 2012.

Investments &

Annualized Budget

Accomplishments (Up to mid- October, 2011)

Status

Investment Envelope #1

Community ODSP Application Support Program

($185K annually)

2011 Target: 150 households approved for ODSP benefits

Implementation Highlights: Contracted with Centre 454; full complement of trained staff as of July 15, 2011

Accomplishment: 133 households have been granted ODSP benefits, resulting in a cumulative increase in financial resources of approximately $760K to low income households.

Investment Envelope #2

Energy Assistance Fund

($205K annually)

2011 Target: 200 low income households not receiving social assistance

Implementation Highlights: Delivered by the City’s Social Services staff. The profile of those benefiting include: 72% are women, 54% are families with three or more members in the household, 46% are sole support families, 9% are seniors

Accomplishment: 216 households have benefited from the Fund. The Fund was fully utilized by mid-October. The average amount of assistance per household was $945.00.

Investment Envelope #3. a

Youth Futures

($187,500 – 2011; $300K annually)

2011 Target: 50 youth living in social housing or on social assistance

Implementation Highlights: Partnership with Ottawa Community Housing (OCHC), University of Ottawa and the City; with program coordinator residing at OCHC. Program components included a 6 week summer employment program, 144 hours leadership development training, 2 week post secondary mentorship program, and follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to provide employment supports and document school progress. A Youth Futures video was created, profiling participants and partner testimonials which will be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Link to video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1C-kNu1Ykc. A Champions’ Table and a Coordinators’ Table have been established to guide the sustainability and growth of Youth Futures into 2012 and beyond.

Accomplishment: 51 youth graduated in special ceremony held on August 31, 2011

Investment Envelope #3. b

Youth Employment Initiatives

($187,500 – 2011; $200K annually)

2011 Target: 100 participants

Implementation Highlights: The program engages youth 16 to 30 years of age who are receiving social assistance and are either not attending school or are at risk of dropping out of school to support them in achieving their education, training or employment goals. The profile of youth engaged in the program is: 40% women, 60% men; 77% are between the age of 18 and 24 years old; 91% do not have grade 12; and 63% have less than grade 11.

Accomplishment: 100 youth have been assessed; 49 have been coached into education, training or employment, 15 are being tracked as part of a two month follow-up period, and 34 have successfully completed their Youth Initiative program; thereby increasing their educational and / or employment opportunities.

Investment Envelope #4.a

Rent Supplements

($1.7M – 2011, $3.4M - 2012, $4.25M - 2013 onwards)

2011 Target: 450 households on the Centralized Waiting List either living in shelters or in unaffordable housing provided with rent supplements.

Implementation Highlights: New simplified, improved process and contract developed in consultation with Landlords. Both private sector and non-profit landlords have expressed interest in participating in the Rent Supplement Program. Available units include a mixture of those with existing tenants who are paying a high proportion of their income on rent (in-situ) and units that will become available to the Rent Supplement Program once the existing tenants move out of the unit. The process of soliciting interested landlords and matching them with eligible households is ongoing.

Accomplishment: 137 households are receiving Rent Supplements and have been removed from the social housing’s Centralized Waiting List; with 59 of the households moving into housing from the emergency shelters and 3 people who had been living on the street.

In addition to the Rent Supplement agreements that landlords have already signed with tenants, another 179 units have been committed to the program – 45 with private sector landlords and 134 with non-profit landlords. 40 of these units are for in-situ tenants and final agreements are imminent; while 128 units will be made available over time when the existing tenant vacates the unit.

Investment Envelope #4.b

Housing Allowances

($300K – 2011, $600K - 2012, $750K - 2013 onwards)

2011 Target: 100 households living on the streets, in shelters or vulnerably housed provided with housing allowances for permanent housing

Implementation Highlights: On October 20, 2011 the Community and Protective Services Committee received an information report outlining the framework for an Ottawa Short Term Rent Support Program (OSTRSP) negotiated with MCSS and MMAH to ensure that the allowances paid directly to recipient households will not negatively affect other benefits they may receive. Partnerships have been established with the Housing Response Team to house people currently living on the street and with the Housing Loss Prevention Network to prevent homelessness due to economic reasons.

Accomplishment: Housing for 100 people will be more affordable and sustainable.

Investment Envelope #5.a

Cornerstone Supportive Housing for Women

($255K annually)

2011 Target: 42 homeless women moving into supportive housing

Implementation Highlights: The City partnered with the Provincial Government to house homeless women in a supportive residential environment operated by Cornerstone. 60% of the women are older adults.

Accomplishment: 42 homeless women with complex physical and psycho-social needs moved into Cornerstone in July and August, 2011.

Investment Envelope #5.b

Transitional Emergency Shelter Program

$375K - 2011 plus facility costs, $750K – 2012 onwards

2011 Target: 30 to 50 homeless adults with highly complex needs stabilized within targeted shelter program

Implementation Highlights: Work is well underway with key City and community stakeholders. Details will be made available in the near future.

Investment Envelope #5.c - Families

Supports for Housing First

$500K – 2011; $1M - 2012 onwards)

2011 Target: 200 chronically homeless families and / or families at imminent risk of becoming homeless provided with multi-disciplinary team support to stabilize families in housing and prevent future use of emergency shelters

Implementation Highlights: Multi-lingual, multi-disciplinary housing wrap-around support services provided by Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre in partnership with the Housing Loss Prevention Network. People served include homeless families with complex needs who are moving out of emergency shelters into new communities and families at-risk of becoming homeless. This is being done in combination with financial supports such as rent supplements / housing allowances.

Accomplishment: Contract signed with Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, service delivery flow chart and referral protocols developed. Program began receiving referrals mid September. 17 families have been served impacting 43 children, with 14 of the families moving from the City’s Family Shelter into housing and 3 families prevented from becoming homeless.

Investment Envelope #5.c – Single People

Supports for Housing First

$500K – 2011; $1M - 2012 onwards)

2011 Target: 30 single people with complex needs moved from emergency shelters into permanent housing with supports

Implementation Highlights: Partnerships established with John Howard Society, YM-YWCA, OCHC and the YSB to provide supportive housing and assistance with moving to independent living in the community, where and when appropriate. Housing and client support services are set to begin in late October / early November.

Accomplishment: Over 80 single men and women supported to either move from emergency shelters into housing with supports or to move from transitional housing into independent living, resulting in fewer people living in emergency shelters and new people being able to access transitional housing.

Investment Envelope #6

Social Housing Repairs / Renewal

$3.1M – 2011; $2M – 2012 onwards, plus unallocated annualized operating dollars

2011 Target: $3.1M in capital repairs for social housing

Implementation Highlights: Repairs were focused on the following priority areas: $1.5M to address health & safety issues; $70K to enhance accessibility and ageing-in-place; $915K to improve energy efficiencies and reduce costs for tenants and providers; and $575K to remediate structural problems.

Accomplishment: 38 repair projects, with 22 different social housing providers, have been approved and are on-track for being completed by year end. 9 projects have been completed to Oct 15, 2011.

Investment Envelope #7

New Affordable Housing Projects

$4M annually 2011 - 2014

2011 Target: Three stacked townhouses (26 units)

Implementation Highlights: City’s Planning Department is currently reviewing the Site Planning Application submitted by OCHC.

Accomplishment: Site plan is for 26 stacked townhouse units with 4 accessible units for large families. Construction is expected to begin in early December 2011, with occupancy in the 4^th quarter, 2012.

Document 2

Housing and Support Services System

The City has developed a graphic to identify the various components of the housing services and supports system.

Document 3

Income versus Rental Accommodation Costs in Ottawa

	Basic Allowance	Shelter Allowance Maximum	Max Ontario Child Benefit	Total Benefit	Average market rent 1 bedroom[6]	Average market rent 2 bedroom[7]
Ontario Works (OW)*
Single	$227	$372	$0	$599	$877
Parent with two children 0-12 years	$347	$634	$184	$1,165		$1,049
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)**
Single	$590	$474	$0	$1,064	$877
Parent with two children 0-12 years	$751	$807	$184	$1,742		$1,049

Minimum Wage	40 hr wk			Per Month
$10.25 / hour	$410			$1,775.30 gross	$877	$1,049

*Reflects increase to Ontario Works benefits effective Dec 1, 2011

** Reflects increase to Ontario Disability Support Program benefits effective Nov 30, 2011

[4] Statistics Canada, Consumer Price Index, by City

[5] CMHC, Rental Market Report, Ottawa, Fall 2010

[6] CMHC 2010, Rental Market Survey, data is average of all areas in Ottawa