CITY CLERK

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 1

For Consideration by

The Council of the City of Toronto

on June 17, 1999

2 Community Services Grants Program - 1999 Allocations

3 Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants - 1999 Allocation Recommendations

4 Food Related Capital Grants - First Round Allocations

5 City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund

6 Provincial Update to the Child Care Fee Subsidy Guidelines

7 Children and Youth Advocate Annual Report 1998 and Campaign Against Child Poverty

8 Implementation of a Waiting List for the City of Toronto's Homemakers and Nurses
Services Program

9 Homes for the Aged - Uncollectible Accounts

10 Reimbursement for Use of Fort York Armoury, Trinity-Niagara

11 Update on the 11 Ordnance Youth Project (Eva's Phoenix)

12 Report of the Police Working Group, Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee
on Homeless and Socially Isolated Persons

13 Other Items Considered by the Committee

City of Toronto

REPORT No. 1

OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

(from its meeting on June 17, 1999,

submitted by Councillor Brad Duguid, Chair)

As Considered by

The Council of the City of Toronto

on July 6, 7 and 8, 1999

1

Update on Shelter Capacity and Search for New Sites

(City Council on July 6, 7 and 8, 1999, amended this Clause by adding thereto the following:

"It is further recommended that the report dated June 30, 1999, from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, embodying the following recommendations, be adopted:

'It is recommended that:

(1) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to spend up to $150,000.00 from the Homeless Initiatives Fund on pilot projects to address emerging issues, including the need for outreach to homeless people living in downtown parks;

(2) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services provide an update on the search for new sites to the September meeting of the Community Services Committee; and

(3) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.' ")

The Community Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June 14, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

Purpose:

This report updates Council on the current capacity issues in the emergency shelter system, most specifically the single men's system, and details the search for new sites for emergency shelter. The report recommends that the Commissioners of Community and Neighbourhood Services and Corporate Services be authorized to approve the use of City-owned and privately-owned sites for emergency shelter use, in consultation with an advisory committee of elected representatives approved by Council at its meeting of June 11, 1999. The report further recommends that Council endorse the protocol for community notification when new sites are being established.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

None.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

• staff take all necessary steps to locate sites in all parts of the City to provide the 300-400 emergency shelter beds required for this summer and next fall, including the identification of vacant City land that might be suitable for portable structures;
• terms of reference for an advisory committee of elected representatives to work with staff, as described in Appendix A, be approved;
• authorization be given for the use of City-owned and privately-owned sites for the public service use/essential service use, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Commissioner of Corporate Services, and in consultation with the Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites approved by Council on June 11, 1999;
• Council endorse the Protocol for Community Notification for the Establishment and Development of New Emergency Shelter Sites, as attached in Appendix B of this report, and that the protocol be evaluated at the end of 2000; and
• the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Over the past four months, Council has received a number of reports regarding the capacity of the emergency shelter system. On April 13, 14 and 15, 1999, the report titled "Status Report on Capacity of the Emergency Shelter System" was adopted by Council. This report established the objective of maintaining a monthly occupancy level of the emergency shelter system for adults and youth at no more than 90 percent. The report recommended that staff be directed to pursue the immediate opening of a temporary single men's program in mid-April should the occupancy of the single men's system exceed 90 percent. Further, the report recommended that, in future, development of any new hostel facilities must adhere to a protocol for meaningful community consultation prior to Council approval of the establishment of such facilities.

Subsequently, Council, at its meeting on June 11, 1999, approved the establishment of an advisory committee to advise and support staff on the search for and development of new emergency shelter sites and requested that the terms of reference for such a committee and the protocol for community notification be forwarded to Council for approval at its July meeting.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

• Current Situation:

As of June 6, 1999, the single men's shelter system was operating at the desired 90 percent occupancy level. However, the recent closure of the Fort York Armoury and the anticipated loss of a number of beds over the next two months mean that this occupancy level will not be maintained without the addition of new facilities.

The shelter at the Fort York Armoury closed on Friday, June 4, 1999. The facility had been opened on April 14, 1999, to address the 99 percent occupancy level in the single men's shelter system and to provide shelter beds for the small number of residents displaced by the closure of Doctor's Hospital. During the period when the Armoury was put into shelter service as an emergency measure, the use of the site was shared with the Department of National Defence and was not available for hostel purposes on a 24-hour basis. Although the site is otherwise suitable, this shared use cannot be maintained on an on-going basis. As per the agreement with the Department of National Defence, use of the site was not extended through the summer months.

Staff believed that they had located a new site as an alternative to the Armoury, but lease negotiations could not be finalized in time for a transfer of the program. As a stopgap measure, a small shelter and referral location was established on the main floor of Metro Hall. This site is also inappropriate for long-term use, but it allows minimal service to continue to be provided while sites are found to replace the Armoury beds.

Further beds will be lost over the next two months. Later this month, the last of the winter programs will be closing. This will result in a loss of 120 beds, the majority being used by single men. Also, in July, Seaton House is scheduled to begin a major capital renovation. This facility normally houses 604 men. Approximately 150 beds will need to be closed this summer and a further 100 beds in the fall. These beds will need to be located in "swing space" while the renovations are taking place.

There has been a small drop in demand for shelter space since the middle of April, but as described above the number of beds has dropped more rapidly. The City will need another 300-400 beds added to the system to accommodate the loss of beds and to allow occupancy to remain at a reasonable level during this summer and into next fall.

• Search for New Sites:

Since early in 1999, Hostel Services staff and staff of Facilities Management and Real Estate have been searching for properties which might be available for emergency shelter use. Aware of the temporary nature of the Armoury, and in light of the ongoing bed shortage, staff intensified their efforts in late March. Staff once again reviewed the list of City-owned properties that are vacant and began searching on the private market for warehouse space that could be made available on short notice.

In the search for properties and the development of shelter sites, two particular challenges have presented themselves. The first challenge is to attempt to meet the principle of "fair-share" by establishing services throughout the City and not only in the downtown core. The second challenge is ensuring local residents and businesses are informed of a proposed site development and feel that they have an opportunity to have their questions answered and provide input. The sections below detail the difficulties that have been encountered in trying to meet these challenges while at the same time ensuring that new facilities are up and running in a timely manner.

• Broader Geographic Distribution of New Facilities:

Broader distribution of shelter services throughout the City will be an important element in developing a strategy to meet the growing need for emergency accommodation. In reviewing properties over the past number of years, staff have not restricted their search to downtown areas but have in fact looked at sites throughout the City. Staff are, however, limited in their site search by the existing zoning by-laws of the former municipalities.

Over the past two years, the City has proceeded with emergency shelter development applying existing provisions of the zoning by-laws of the former Cities of Toronto and North York. These provisions allow for the municipality to use buildings/lands for public/essential services as-of-right. Emergency shelters have been defined as a public essential service use.

In order to locate shelters in the other areas of the City, staff would need to find a site with as-of-right zoning. Permissions for crisis care facilities are relatively restrictive and it would be unlikely that staff would be able to locate sites that would meet the existing zoning requirements. Therefore, most sites would require full rezoning or would have to go to Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance. The amount of time required to complete either of these processes would mean that the shelter site would not be available for six months to one year, assuming that no appeals were made to the Ontario Municipal Board. Given these time frames, and the immediate need for service, at present staff are essentially restricted to locating sites within the former cities of Toronto and North York.

Council has already requested that staff begin to explore ways to address the varying provisions of the existing zoning by-laws. On May 7, 1999, the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services brought forward a report, entitled "Process for By-law Amendments to Permit Affordable Housing, Emergency Shelters and Rooming Houses Across the City". The Commissioner has now been directed, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to report back to the Planning and Transportation Committee on the form of a by-law, similar to the essential service provisions in the former North York, York and Toronto Zoning By-laws, which would accommodate emergency shelters and other municipal housing uses in all parts of the new City. The Commissioner has been further requested to report on a public consultation process to be followed to permit public input into the by-law amendments required.

(b) Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites:

At its meeting on June 11, 1999, Council recommended the establishment of an advisory committee to advise and support staff in the search for and development of new emergency shelter sites. Committee membership includes: the Chair of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Brad Duguid; the Chair of the Administration Committee, Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti; Councillor Irene Jones; Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczinski; Councillor Jack Layton; and Councillor Pam McConnell. Proposed Terms of Reference for this advisory committee are attached as Appendix A to this report.

(c) Protocol for Community Notification:

Overview:

In order to deal with increasing demand, the emergency shelter system has expanded at a rapid rate over the past number of years. While some community members are supportive when an emergency shelter is proposed or located in their neighbourhood, initially, most residents or businesses are not receptive to the location of the service in their area. They see it as a program that places significant burdens on their local community without providing much local benefit. In a number of cases, staff have been contacted by constituents and businesses who feel that they have not been provided with information regarding site development in a timely manner.

In the course of "traditional" shelter development significant community consultation takes place at all stages. Community members can be involved from the early stages of development. They are kept up-to-date through circulation of written information, door-to-door canvassing, and public meetings. The community can, if they wish, become directly involved in work on the shelter development through volunteer work on Boards and Committees. At the present time, new shelters are often being opened in such short time frames that communities may only be notified days prior to the opening. In this case, the community consultation process as described above is impossible. Nevertheless, there must be commitment on the part of the City and the City's staff to provide local communities with information regarding shelter development in their area.

Principles:

On April 13, 14 and 15, 1999, Council recommended that staff adhere to a protocol for meaningful community consultation prior to the establishment of emergency facilities. Such a protocol must be supported by a set of principles to guide the process. These include a commitment to:

- respect community concerns regarding significant concentration of services;

- early notification and frequent dialogue with communities regarding the City's plans to develop an emergency facility in their area;

- inform communities of the criteria used for the site selection;

- seek community input regarding the development of the program and maintain on-going liaison once a program is in place; and

- consult with local councillors prior to the finalization of any site selection and work with them to develop a notification and communication strategy.

Using these principles, staff have developed the following protocol to be used when a site has been selected.

Protocol for Community Notification:

Attached as Appendix B is the recommended Protocol for Community Notification for the Establishment and Development of Emergency Shelter Sites.

This protocol, which will be consistently used throughout the City, clearly explains the process to be used when the City is intending to establish an emergency shelter. Information provided to the community will include size of facility, client group to be served, staffing levels, etc. A clearly identified contact person will be available to answer questions and respond to community concerns. Communities will have an opportunity to comment on how the services of the proposed emergency shelter are managed and provided. Should a facility be established in the community, residents and businesses can continue to be involved through the community liaison committee which will be established by the City.

Requirements for early and clear communication, coupled with the opportunity for the community to provide input into program design, should help to address criticism regarding a lack of proper process in previous emergency shelter development. It should be noted that while the protocol sets in place a process for notification and input, it does not grant the community the opportunity to veto the use of a site for emergency shelter purposes.

Initiating the Protocol:

While the protocol will be followed for all sites, the starting time of the process may differ for City-owned and privately-owned sites.

City-owned Sites - In relation to City-owned sites, there will be no difficulty with the implementation of a protocol that requires early notification of a community. Once the local Councillors have been consulted and shelter staff have reason to believe that they will move forward with site development, community notification should begin. The only effect this notification may have is the addition of a number of days to the process of opening the shelter.

Privately-owned Sites - The early notification of communities surrounding privately-owned sites is seen to be more problematic. Public information on the City's potential use of a site can place the City at a distinct disadvantage during lease negotiations. The negative reaction of a surrounding community to the proposed use of a site can have a number of possible effects. As happened with the development of group homes in the 1980s, surrounding residents or businesses may pressure the landlord into withdrawing from negotiations or may, in fact, present the landlord with a counter offer which cannot be matched by the City. Also, the landlord may become attuned to the City's high need for the facility and the difficulties in locating appropriate sites and may decide to negotiate for significantly higher levels of rent. For these reasons, it is recommended that in the case of privately-owned sites the process for community notification begin only after consultation with the advisory committee and local councillors and the completion of lease negotiations.

(3) Approval for New Site Development:

As noted earlier, staff have been continuing their search for appropriate properties. To date, staff have identified three City-owned sites which have the potential for use. Two of the sites are located in North York and one is located in Scarborough. Staff have also reviewed approximately 25 privately-owned sites for consideration. The majority of these sites are located in the former City of Toronto. Of these, only two sites (both in the former City of Toronto) have been identified that are appropriate for shelter purposes and also have landlords who are willing to negotiate with the City once they were aware that the site was proposed for emergency shelter use. Staff have so far been unsuccessful in finalizing leases with either of these owners. If all five sites were developed, they would provide approximately 350 shelter beds.

Staff are also reviewing the City portfolio to determine whether vacant lands are available on which temporary structures could be erected. Various models exist including pre-fabricated modular units and rigid frameworks covered with cloth membranes. These types of structures are used for emergency shelter purposes in a number of communities in the United States. Staff will be working with Buildings staff to determine whether a model exists that can provide appropriate shelter and also satisfy the requirements of the building and fire codes.

Staff will continue to consider the use of any sites which may become available. As in the case of previous site developments, where possible, staff will make use of the zoning by-law exceptions that permit the establishment of emergency shelter uses as public service use/essential service use. Where necessary, staff will proceed with rezoning applications for sites. The list of possible sites changes on daily basis and it is difficult for every site to be brought forward to City Council for approval. As such, it is recommended that authorization be given for the development of City-owned and private sites for the public service use of an emergency shelter, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Commissioner of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Advisory Committee. Prior to opening a site, staff will be required to demonstrate to the Commissioners that the protocol for community notification has been followed.

Conclusions:

It is anticipated that there will continue to be a significant shortfall of between 300 and 400 beds in the emergency shelters for single men. Staff will continue the search for new sites throughout the City and will proceed with the opening of new sites in consultation with the Advisory Committee, using the protocol for community notification and with the approval of the Commissioners of Community and Neighbourhood Services and Corporate Services.

Contact Name:

Joanne Campbell

General Manager of Shelter, Housing and Support Division

Tel: 392-7885

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Appendix A

Terms Of Reference

Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites

Advisory Committee Chair:

Councillor Brad Duguid, Chair, Community Services Committee

Membership:

Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti, Chair, Administration Committee

Councillor Irene Jones

Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski

Councillor Jack Layton

Councillor Pam McConnell

Purpose:

To advise and support staff on the search for and development of additional emergency shelter sites by:

- assisting in the use of the principles and Protocol for Community Notification as approved by Council;

- reviewing the sites identified by staff for potential development;

- assisting staff in balancing the interests of communities surrounding shelter sites and the needs of the City-at-large; and

- assessing the effectiveness of the approved Protocol for Community Notification and making recommendations for modifications and improvements.

Process:

The Advisory Committee will:

- review potential sites identified by staff prior to their selection;

- involve relevant local councillors; and

- in conjunction with staff and local councillors, assist in the development of a communications plan.

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Appendix B

Protocol for Community Notification for the Establishment and Development

of Emergency Shelter Sites

Once a potential site has been identified:

(1) Staff, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, will contact and meet with the councillors in whose ward the site is located. Where a site is close to the border of two wards, staff will also contact and meet with the other affected councillors.

(2) In the case of a City-owned site, staff will prepare a written communication to the local residents and businesses identifying the proposed use of the site. This communication will be reviewed with the Advisory Committee and local councillors and will include the following information:

(a) address of the site;

(b) capacity of the site;

(c) hours of operation;

(d) clients to be served on the site;

(e) staffing of the site;

(f) services to be provided on site; and

(g) contact name and number for information.

Staff will ensure that this communication is circulated to the community. Staff will also ensure that information is provided to local residents and business associations. Where required, information should be translated to accommodate local constituents.

(3) In the case of a privately-owned site, staff will complete lease negotiations and will then proceed with a written communication as described in Item No. (2).

(4) As requested, staff will attend community meetings to provide information on the shelter development.

(5) Staff, in consultation with the local councillors, will put in place a community liaison committee comprised of residents, business owners and local councillors and will ensure that this committee is kept informed about the shelter prior to and after opening.

(6) Once the shelter is open, a 24-hour telephone number will be made available where local residents can call with concerns or questions.

(City Council on July 6, 7 and 8, 1999, had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Clause, the following report (June 30, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

Purpose:

This report provides Council with an update on the search that is underway for new emergency shelter sites and recommends that Council approve expenditures of up to $150,000 from the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund (CT-HIF) for pilot projects to address emerging issues, including the need to provide outreach to homeless people living in downtown parks.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding is available through the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund (CT-HIF) with no net cost to the City.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to spend up to $150,000.00 from the Homeless Initiatives Fund on pilot projects to address emerging issues, including the need for outreach to homeless people living in downtown parks;

(2) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services provide an update on the search for new sites to the September meeting of the Community Services Committee, and;

(3) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

On June 17, 1999, Community Services Committee had before it a communication from the Ontario Coalition Again Poverty regarding the creation of a "safe park" for the homeless. Committee directed the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to report on this issue to the Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites and further directed the Commissioner to report directly to City Council on July 6 regarding the provision of necessary accommodation for the homeless.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Reopening of Fort York Armoury:

On June 23, 1999, it was announced that the Department of National Defence (DND) would again make the Fort York Armoury available to the City of Toronto for emergency shelter purposes for a six month period. On Friday, June 25, Fort York reopened with a capacity of 150 beds allowing staff to close the facility that had been operating out of Metro Hall. The Fort York shelter is being directly operated by the City and is open from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with space being shared, during the evening hours, with existing DND operations.

With the opening of the Armoury facility, the occupancy level of the shelter system for single adults and youth has been maintained at 90 percent as per the direction of Council. The opening of the armoury has partially relieved the immediate bed shortage in the emergency shelter system, however as identified in a June report to Council a long term bed shortage of 300 - 400 beds is still projected due to growing caseload and loss of shelter sites. The reduction of beds at Seaton House during renovations will also require the location of "swing space" for approximately 200 men. The bed shortages can only be addressed through the establishment of new emergency shelter sites.

Search for New Sites:

At the Council meeting of June 9 an Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites was constituted to provide direction and advice to staff on the search for and development of new emergency shelter beds. The terms of reference for this Advisory Committee and the Protocol for Community Notification of the Development of New Emergency Shelter Sites were approved by Community Services Committee on June 17 and are before Council today. The Advisory Committee chaired by Councillor Duguid, has now met with staff on two occasions to discuss the site search and community consultation process.

Through the site search process, staff have identified 11 possible sites. The Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter sites will continue to meet through the summer and advise on and assist with the development of new locations. The Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services will report back to the September meeting of the Community Services Committee to provide an update on the site search process.

Outreach in the Parks:

On June 17, 1999, Community Services Committee also heard deputations regarding community concerns for people sleeping and living in parks and the proposal for the establishment of a 'safe park' for people who are homeless. As directed by Committee, a separate report providing information on this issue has been brought forward to Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites. In that report staff have identified the need for a pilot project to do outreach in specific parks in the downtown area. While there are existing outreach programs in Toronto, many of which make contact with people in parks, there is not currently an existing initiative which focuses only on connecting with people living in parks and assisting them in exploring alternative indoor living arrangements. This would be a short-term initiative to provide information for a longer-term community based response to be funded through the CT-HIF.

One of the objectives of the Homeless Initiatives Fund is to support people in moving from the streets into shelters or permanent housing. Council will be considering a report at today's meeting which details the request for proposal process for the first allocation from the Homeless Initiatives Fund. It is recommended that in additions to the target service areas identified in this report, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services also be authorized to approve expenditures of up to $150,000.00 from the Homeless Initiatives Fund for pilot projects to address emerging needs, including outreach to people in parks.

Conclusions:

The reopening of the Fort York Armoury for a six month period has addressed the immediate bed shortage in the emergency shelter system however there will continue to be a longer term shortages of 300- 400 beds.. Staff , with the assistance of the Advisory Committee for New Emergency Shelter Sites, will continue to identify potential new emergency shelter sites to address projected bed shortages as well as swing space for approximately 200 men required during the renovation of Seaton House. Additionally, staff are recommending the establishment of a pilot outreach project to work with people who are currently living in downtown parks and not using emergency shelter services.

Contact Name:

Joanne Campbell

General Manager of Shelter, Housing and Support Division

Tel. No. 392-7885)

2

Community Services Grants Program -

1999 Allocations

(City Council on July 6, 7 and 8, 1999, adopted this Clause, without amendment.)

The Community Services Committee recommends:

(i) the adoption of the report dated June 3, 1999, from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services;

(ii) that the $45,000.00 appeal amount be augmented with any underexpenditures from the Community Services Grants envelope; and

(iii) that, in future years, a sub-committee of the Community Services Committee be established to hear the appeals on the Community Services and Breaking the Cycle of Violence Grants Programs, and to review the process.

The Community Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

(1) referred the appeals from the following organizations to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services for a report thereon to the next meeting of the Community Services Committee to be held on July 14, 1999:

- Assaulted Women's Helpline (Item No. 22);

- Baluchi Canadian Association (Item No. 28);

- Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care (Item No. 32);

- Canadians for Children at Health Risk (Item No. 61);

- Centre for Spanish - Speaking Peoples (Item No. 74);

- Chinese Professional Women of Canada (Item No. 81);

- Community Bicycle Network (Item No. 90);

- Community Information Centre for the City of York (Item No. 93);

- ComServ Family Support Inc. (Item No. 99);

- Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services (Item No. 121);

- Dovercourt Boys' and Girls' Club (Item No. 123);

- East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club (Item No. 128);

- Finnish Social Counselling Services of Toronto Inc. (Item No. 152);

- For Youth Project (Item No. 158);

- Gerrard Resource Centre (Item No. 166);

- Le Groupe Jeunesse Francophone De Toronto (Item No. 169);

- Heritage Skills Development Centre (Item No. 174);

- Learning Disabilities Association of North York (Item No. 210);

- Next Door Family Resources (Item No. 252);

- Ogaden Somali Community Association of Ontario (Item No. 265);

- Parkdale Focus Community Project (Item No. 282);

- Pat Arato Aphasia Centre (Item No. 286);

- Ralph Thornton Centre (Item No. 297);

- Reena (Item No. 298), with a request that the policy pertaining to head office locations be reviewed;

- Le Regroupement des Jeunes Filles Francophones (Item No. 300);

- Serve Canada (Item No. 319);

- Somali Canadian Women's Association (Item No. 333);

- Somali Family and Child Skills Development Services (Item No. 334);

- Somali Immigrant Women Association (Item No. 336);

- St. Alban's Boys and Girls Club (Item No. 344);

- St. Bernadette's Family Resource Centre (Item No. 345);

- St. Clair O'Connor Community Inc. (Item No. 347);

- St. Mark's Seniors Club (Item No. 350);

- St. Matthew's Bracondale House (Item 351);

- Stop 103 Inc. (Item 355);

- Sunshine Centre for Seniors (Item No. 361);

- Tamil Eelam Society of Canada (Item No. 363);

- Toronto Mainland Chinese Community Centre (Item No. 386);

- Tropicana Community Services Organization (Item No. 393);

- Volunteers Etobicoke (Item No. 411), with a request that consideration be given to providing one-time only funding for restructuring, and phased in over two years;

- Willowtree Tenants' Organization (Item No. 423);

- York Community Services (Item No. 436); and

- Yorktown Child and Family Centre (Item No. 442); and

(2) requested that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to:

(i) review the need and demand to level up the funding available for all grants that report through the Community Services Committee; and

(ii) consider ways in which the total envelope for these grants can be increased;

and report thereon to the Community Services Committee no later than its October 7, 1999, meeting.

The Community Services Committee submits the following report (June 3, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

Purpose:

This report presents the recommended allocations for 375 agencies which have applied for municipal support under the Community Services Grants Program (C.S.G.P.). Of the 375 agencies that applied for grants, 307 have been recommended for funding.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Sufficient funds for the 1999 C.S.G.P. allocations exist within the approved 1999 Consolidated Grants appropriation. The total funds available for the 1999 C.S.G.P. are $10,516,323.00, of which $45,000.00 has been reserved for appeals.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the attached 1999 Community Services Grants Program (C.S.G.P.) allocations totalling $10,471,323.00 for 307 agencies, as described in Appendices "A" and "D", be approved; and

(2) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect hereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Under the general authority for making municipal grants provided in Section 113(1) of the Municipal Act, all of the former municipalities provided support to the not-for-profit sector through community service grants.

In September 1998, the Municipal Grants Review Committee received a report titled "Community Service Grants Program (C.S.G.P.) Review" which outlined the general directions for an amalgamated community services/general grants program. The 1999 Community Services Grants Program represents a consolidation of nine grants programs provided by the seven former municipalities.

The eligibility criteria for the 1999 grants cycle were revised and clarified, consistent with the directions articulated in the program review. In addition, Council approved the "City of Toronto Grants Policy" in December 1998 which provides overall policy direction for all of the City's grants programs.

This report provides the recommended agency allocations for approval under the new C.S.G.P. The attached appendices provide information on specific agency recommendations: Appendix A - grant requests and recommendations by agency; Appendix B - recommendations to Aboriginal and ethno-specific and multi-ethnic agencies; Appendix C - biannual assessment recommendations by agency; and Appendix D - detailed summary of each applicant.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The 1999 Community Services Grants Program:

The primary goal of the 1999 Community Services Grants Program is to support and sustain the social well-being of Toronto's communities by building community capacity, supporting vulnerable communities, and addressing community service needs. The renewed C.S.G.P. is guided by five core values as defined in the "City of Toronto Grants Policy": accessibility, fairness and equity, openness and transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.

The C.S.G.P. supports critical community social services through ongoing program funding. Community social services facilitate access to, and provide the means by which, individuals or families can achieve an improved quality of life through the enhancement of their social and economic well-being. The C.S.G.P. funds services which address emergency/crisis, individual and community interventions and are within the Community and Neighbourhood Services departmental mandate.

The C.S.G.P. offers two types of ongoing program funding: Type 1 for requests over $10,000.00 and Type 2 for requests of $10,000.00 or less. Funding of over $10,000.00 is only available to incorporated organizations with an established track record in the area of program delivery, operations, governance, financial accountability, and access and equity. Funding of under $10,000.00 is available to small, less developed organizations.

Biannual Assessment:

A new feature of the C.S.G.P. being introduced this year is biannual assessment process. The objectives of this approach are to reduce the administrative burden on funded agencies and encourage longer term planning. To be considered for biannual assessment agencies must have been assessed as having sound financial planning and management practices, demonstrate the ability to undertake long-range planning, and provide reasonable assurances that the programs funded will be maintained over the two-year period.

Although agencies on biannual assessment will not be interviewed in 2000, they will be required to submit an interim report on C.S.G.P. funded programs, updated agency and program budgets, a copy of their most recent audited financial statement, a current board of directors list, and a copy of the auditor's management letter if issued.

Eighty-seven agencies are recommended for biannual assessment at this time ( Appendix "C"). The year-two allocation recommendations for agencies on biannual assessment will be developed and recommended in the year 2000 allocations report. Although the approach will be to flatline the year two allocation, actual year two recommendations will be dependent on the Year 2000 City budget, grants program priorities, and agency performance. Finalized Year 2000 funding recommendations will be included in the Year 2000 C.S.G.P. allocations report for Council consideration and approval.

Under the biannual assessment process, the critical difference between the year one and year two review is that the year one, or full review, is designed to assess new or enhanced requests for funding, while the year two review is designed to assess stable programs requiring a static level of support. Agencies requesting additional support for new or enhanced programs will be required to complete the year one, or full review, application form and assessment process.

1999 Budget:

The total amount approved in the 1999 Community Services Grants Program (C.S.G.P.) budget is $10,516,323.00. An amount of $45,000.00 has been set aside for appeals.

On March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, City Council approved a report titled "Delegation of Grants Administration Authority" which established the authority to provide advance payments to agencies on the condition that specific criteria were met by the agencies. To date, 18 agencies have received advance payments totalling $614,066.60.

Application and Assessment Process:

Overall, 375 agencies requested $17,282,832.00 under the 1999 Community Services Grants Program. This includes 316 previously funded agencies and 59 new applicants. Twenty-eight agencies funded in 1998 did not reapply for funding in 1999.

The assessment/review process was streamlined this year to allow staff to complete the review process in a timely manner. Grants staff assessed applications against the new C.S.G.P. criteria, principally using information provided in the application forms. The program criteria address agency mandate and location, structure and governance, financial management and accountability, operations and staffing, program efficiency, and the agency's relationship with its community.

As part of the 1999 grants cycle, new applicants were initially assessed using their application forms to determine their eligibility under the C.S.G.P. New applicants deemed eligible through this first stage were interviewed in the full assessment/review process. New applicants assessed as ineligible from their written submission were informed of the determination, the reasons for it and told that they would not proceed to the next stage of the process. On May 10, 1999, the Municipal Grants Review Committee approved the report titled "Community Services Grants Program - Eligibility Assessment of New Applicants" with amendments, which summarized the results of the first stage of eligibility determination for new applicants under the 1999 C.S.G.P.

Interviews were conducted with the following applicants: organizations with previously identified funding conditions; organizations with identified performance issues; and new applicants initially assessed as eligible. Agency interviews allowed grants staff to more fully determine eligibility, assess the capacity to deliver the proposed programs/services, clarify issues and discuss expectations regarding governance, financial management, community linkages, program development and delivery.

New Applicants:

A total of 59 agencies which did not receive funding in 1998 applied for support in 1999.

Of these, nine are recommended for allocations in 1999. A further 43 applicants have not been recommended because they have been determined to be ineligible under the C.S.G.P. criteria, or because they were determined to be a lower priority based on the equity framework, specifically community equity (i.e., both geographic communities and communities of common bond). The remaining seven new applicants were transferred to other, more appropriate City grant programs. Of the new applicants recommended, six are ethno-specific organizations providing services that are unavailable or not accessible from existing service providers.

Allocation Recommendations:

Two of the 375 initial applicants merged their requests with other applicants during the review process, in effect reducing the total number of applicants to 373. Of the 373 applicants, 307 agencies have been recommended for a total of $10,471,323.00. Of the remaining 66 agencies, 22 were transferred to other grant programs, and 44 are not recommended for funding.

Given the limited dollars available, the general approach to recommendations in 1999 was to flatline previously funded organizations. Any available additional dollars were allocated using the equity framework, specifically community equity (i.e., both geographic communities and communities of common bond). Nine new and 21 returning organizations are recommended for the additional monies using the equity framework. The principles of equitable access to grants, agency effectiveness and efficiency, community needs and available resources were considered in the review of new applicants and in the conditions and/or comments applied to some previously funded applicants.

1999 Allocation Summary Number of Agencies

Recommended flat-line 266

Recommended reduction 1

Requested reduction 10

Recommended new applicants 9

Recommended increases 21

Total 307

Of the 307 recommended agencies, three Aboriginal and 97 ethno-specific/multi-ethnic agencies will receive $2,119,169.00, or 20.3 percent of the total 1999 C.S.G.P. recommended allocations as noted in Appendix "B". These figures do not include ethno-specific programs and services provided by non-ethno-specific agencies.

Emergency Support Fund:

The Emergency Support Fund (E.S.F.) was established by Metropolitan Council in 1996 to address the most pressing needs of the homeless and socially isolated population. In 1999, the funding for these services will be consolidated under a separate E.S.F. grants program. An E.S.F. allocations report will be submitted to the Community Services Committee in September 1999.

Issues Identified During the 1998 Allocations Process:

The administration of the renewed Community Services Grants program in 1999 has highlighted a number of grants related issues. These issues include: a review of funding policies with respect to service areas impacted by Provincial long term care reform, an assessment of the impact of the revised C.S.G.P. criteria, and the ongoing rationalization of City funding programs (specifically with respect to recreation related community service activities). A review of these issues, with recommended changes for the year 2000 grants cycle, will be submitted to the Community Services Committee in the fall of 1999.

Funding for Prevention of Violence Services and Supports:

Currently, one year project funding for prevention of violence initiatives is provided through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence grants program. The C.S.G.P. provides ongoing program funding for anti-violence initiatives and support for victims of violence. In 1999, some C.S.G.P. funded agencies with violence prevention services which are time-limited and preventive in nature have been referred to the Breaking the Cycle of Violence program for consideration. Prior to the year 2000 grants cycle, staff will review options for additional co-ordination and rationalization of funding for these initiatives within the Department's grants portfolio.

Conclusions:

The City of Toronto takes the view that a strong community-based sector includes a strong voluntary sector that provides meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in governance and civic life. Community Services Grants help communities build their own capacity by drawing upon their own talents/creativity, responsiveness and resources to identify needs and develop solutions. Grants are considered a key tool in advancing the City's vision and strategic goals of strengthening communities and improving the social prospects of its residents.

The renewed C.S.G.P. is based on the principles of equitable access to grants and a consistent approach to the funding of community services. This report recommends that a total of $10,471,323.00 be granted to 307 agencies under the 1999 C.S.G.P.

Contact Name:

Chris Brillinger

Tel: 392-8608/Fax: 392-8492

e-mail address: chris_brillinger@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

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Appendix A

1999 Community Services Grants Program

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Appendix B

Aboriginal and Ethno-Specific/Multi-Ethnic Recommended Agencies

Aboriginal Agencies:

	Agency Name	1998 Approved Allocation	1999 Amount Requested	1999 Amount Recommended
1	Native Canadian Centre of Toronto	$59,857.00	$72,356.00	$67,968.00
2	Native Child and Family Services of Toronto	$36,000.00	$32,000.00	$24,000.00	T
3	Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto	$21,000.00	$36,000.00	$21,000.00
	Total Aboriginal Agencies:	$116,857.00	$140,356.00	$112,968.00
	Ethno-Specific/Multi-Ethnic Agencies:
	Agency Name	1998 Approved Allocation	1999 Amount Requested	1999 Amount Recommended
1	Abrigo Centre for Victims of Family Violence	$22,500.00	$28,500.00	$28,500.00	MA
2	Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Service	$9,700.00	$9,700.00	$9,700.00
3	Afghan Association of Ontario	$2,000.00	$10,000.00	$2,000.00
4	Afghan Women's Counselling and Integration and Community Support Organization	$16,000.00	$40,000.00	$16,000.00
5	African Training & Employment Centre (ATEC)	$19,000.00	$39,500.00	$19,000.00
6	The Arab Community Centre of Toronto	$17,303.00	$21,630.00	$17,303.00
7	Armenian Relief Society, Inc,- The "Roubina" Chapter	$19,000.00	$30,000.00	$19,000.00
8	Association of Pensioners and Injured Workers of Ontario (APIO)	$22,290.00	$29,000.00	$22,290.00
9	Association of Women of India in Canada (AWIC)	$9,000.00	$35,000.00	$9,000.00
10	Aware-Pilipino Family Services	$3,000.00	$10,000.00	$3,000.00
11	Bathurst Jewish Centre	$14,400.00	$30,000.00	$14,400.00
12	Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care	$255,474.00	$255,474.00	$218,269.00
13	Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living	$104,544.00	$104,544.00	$104,544.00
14	Bikur Cholim: Jewish Volunteer Services of Toronto	$14,000.00	$25,000.00	$14,000.00
15	Broad African Resource Centre	$6,000.00	$10,000.00	$6,000.00
16	Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario	$27,000.00	$50,000.00	$27,000.00
17	Canadian Italian Family Assistance Association	$9,400.00	$9,400.00	$9,400.00
18	La Casa Dona Juana	$12,000.00	$9,500.00	$9,500.00
19	Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario	$54,502.00	$61,500.00	$54,502.00
20	Centre For Spanish-Speaking Peoples	$31,552.00	$43,500.00	$31,552.00
21	Centre francophone du Toronto metropolitain /COFTM	$28,778.00	$28,778.00	$28,778.00
22	Les Centres d'Accueil Heritage, Centres Des Pionniers	$52,568.00	$52,000.00	$52,000.00
23	Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter	$2,500.00	$62,500.00	$30,000.00
24	Chinese Seniors Health and Recreation Association of Ontario	$15,000.00	$18,000.00	$15,000.00
25	Chinese Seniors Support Services Association	$29,495.00	$69,495.00	$29,495.00
26	Circle of Care	$84,218.00	$84,218.00	$84,218.00
27	Coalition of Visible Minority Women (Ontario) Inc.	$3,150.00	$20,000.00	$3,150.00
28	COSTI-IIAS Immigrant Services	$90,995.00	$100,000.00	$90,995.00
29	Council of Agencies Serving South Asians	-	$62,500.00	$30,000.00	N
30	Dejinta Beesha	$30,000.00	$30,000.00	$30,000.00
31	Elderly Vietnamese Association	$14,378.00	$14,378.00	$14,378.00
32	Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women	$7,000.00	$53,382.00	$10,000.00
33	Eritrean Canadian Community Centre of Metropolitan Toronto	$2,000.00	$25,000.00	$10,000.00
34	Ethiopian Association in Toronto	$20,886.00	$29,500.00	$26,886.00
35	Evergreen Senior Citizens' Association of Toronto	$2,625.00	$5,000.00	$2,625.00
36	Finnish Social Counselling Service of Toronto Inc.	$2,200.00	$10,000.00	$2,200.00
37	Greek Community of Metropolitan Toronto Inc.	$48,739.00	$48,739.00	$48,739.00
38	Le Groupe Jeunesse Francophone De Toronto	$1,100.00	$10,000.00	$1,100.00
39	Harriet Tubman Community Organization	$17,500.00	$25,000.00	$17,500.00
40	Hellenic Home for the Aged Inc.	$8,000.00	$25,000.00	$8,000.00
41	Heritage Skills Development Centre	$6,000.00	$60,000.00	$6,000.00
42	Hispanic Community Centre for the City of York	$25,000.00	$30,000.00	$25,000.00
43	Hispanic Development Council	-	$62,000.00	$30,000.00	N
44	Hong Fook Mental Health Association	$1,000.00	$50,000.00	$1,000.00
45	Hungarian-Canadian Community Services	$5,000.00	$8,000.00	$5,000.00
46	INTERCEDE for the Rights of Domestic Workers, Caregivers and Newcomers	$22,400.00	$26,000.00	$22,400.00
47	Iranian Women's Organization of Ontario	-	$10,000.00	$8,000.00	N
48	Jamaican Canadian Association	$25,500.00	$30,000.00	$25,500.00
49	Japanese Family Services of Toronto	$17,000.00	$25,000.00	$25,000.00
50	Jewish Information Service	$10,100.00	$10,000.00	$10,000.00
51	Kababayan Community Services Centre Inc.	$24,400.00	$25,000.00	$24,400.00
52	Korean Canadian Women's Association	$20,000.00	$20,000.00	$20,000.00
53	Korean Senior Citizens' Society of Toronto	$14,735.00	$15,000.00	$14,735.00
54	Lao Association of Ontario	$13,293.00	$26,586.00	$13,293.00
55	Latvian Senior Citizens' Association in Metro Toronto	$4,000.00	$5,000.00	$4,000.00
56	Midaynta (Association of Somali Service Agencies)	$15,000.00	$52,000.00	$15,000.00
57	Momiji Health Care Society	$12,800.00	$12,800.00	$12,800.00
58	National Congress of Italian Canadians	$4,100.00	$9,500.00	$4,100.00
59	National Council of Jewish Women of Canada	$23,000.00	$27,100.00	$23,000.00
60	Native African Inmates and Families Association	$1,500.00	$6,000.00	$5,000.00
61	New Experiences for Latin American Refugee Women	$23,000.00	$23,000.00	$23,000.00
62	Ogaden Somali Community Association of Ontario	$2,000.00	$50,000.00	$2,000.00
63	Oromo Canadian Community Association of Ontario	$26,000.00	$50,000.00	$26,000.00
64	Parkdale Intercultural Association	$1,200.00	$10,000.00	$5,000.00
65	Polish Immigrant and Community Services	$24,886.00	$25,000.00	$24,886.00
66	Portuguese Interagency Network	$9,000.00	$10,000.00	$9,000.00
67	Portuguese Social Service Centre of Toronto	$23,799.00	$30,000.00	$23,799.00
68	Portuguese Women 55+	$4,400.00	$4,500.00	$4,400.00
69	Le Regroupement des Jeunes Filles Francophones	$1,100.00	$15,000.00	$1,100.00
70	Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre	$34,313.00	$50,000.00	$34,313.00
71	Senior Tamils Centre	$10,000.00	$18,000.00	$10,000.00
72	Silayan Filipino Community Centre	-	$20,340.00	$15,000.00	N
73	Slovenian Linden Foundation (Dom Lipa)	$7,000.00	$7,000.00	$7,000.00
74	Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke	$17,886.00	$29,466.00	$17,886.00
75	Somali Immigrant Aid Organization	$16,600.00	$30,000.00	$20,600.00
76	Somali Immigrant Women Association	$6,000.00	$10,000.00	$6,000.00
77	Somali Women and Children's Support Network	$4,000.00	$10,000.00	$4,000.00
78	Somali Youth Association of Toronto (SOYAT)	-	$10,000.00	$7,000.00	N
79	South Asian Family Support Services	$23,500.00	$40,000.00	$23,500.00
80	South Asian Women's Centre	$22,800.00	$50,000.00	$27,800.00
81	South East Asian Services Centre	$16,999.00	$22,821.00	$16,999.00
82	Tamil Eelam Society of Canada	$21,000.00	$35,000.00	$21,000.00
83	Tel-Aide, Jewish Distress Line	$1,000.00	$5,000.00	$1,000.00
84	Toronto Chinese Community Services Association	$22,660.00	$22,660.00	$22,660.00
85	Toronto Community Training & Social Services (Mothers Against Poverty)	$3,000.00	$10,000.00	$3,000.00
86	Toronto Finnish-Canadian Seniors' Centre Inc.	$14,791.00	$14,791.00	$14,791.00
87	Toronto Kurdish Community & Information Centre	$2,000.00	$10,000.00	$2,000.00
88	Toronto Mainland Chinese Community Centre	$3,000.00	$52,000.00	$3,000.00
89	Tropicana Community Services Organization	$25,400.00	$92,650.00	$25,400.00
90	Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Toronto) Inc.	$33,021.00	$40,000.00	$33,021.00
91	Vietnamese Association of Toronto	$4,000.00	$7,500.00	$4,000.00
92	Vietnamese Greater Toronto Interlink Services	$2,400.00	$4,500.00	$2,400.00
93	Vietnamese Women's Association of Toronto	$3,000.00	$9,750.00	$8,000.00
94	Vietnamese Youth Centre of Toronto	-	$31,000.00	$8,000.00	N
95	Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged	$34,122.00	$185,000.00	$37,122.00	MA
96	West Indian Volunteer Community Support Services	$19,210.00	$50,000.00	$19,210.00
97	Working Women Community Centre	$29,800.00	$48,000.00	$29,800.00
	Total, Ethno-Specific and Multi-Ethnic Agencies:	$1,867,512.00	$3,268,702.00	$2,007,939.00
	Grand Total:	$1,984,369.00	$3,409,058.00	$2,120,907.00
	Directory:
	N=New Applicant T=Transfer
	DNR=Did Not Reapply MA=Merged Agency/Merged Application