Centralized Affordable Housing Access System:

In December 2019, the City Council adopted the Housing TO 2020-2030 Action Plan (“Housing TO Plan”) which includes several actions to address the housing needs of residents across the full housing continuum. A key target in the Housing TO Plan is the approval of 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive housing units by 2030.

Recognizing the need to enhance and further streamline the administration of affordable housing as the supply of new homes increases, the HousingTO Plan also includes recommendations to design and implement a centralized access system to improve the allocation of the new affordable rental units.

As a first step to implementing the HousingTO Plan recommendations, in April 2021 through Item PH22.10, staff recommended an implementation plan for the development of a new centralized access system for affordable housing. At this meeting, the Planning and Housing Committee requested staff to complete the following activities and report back to the Committee:

• Engage stakeholders, including the public, private and non-profit housing providers, community organizations and the development industry;
• Develop a concept design of the new access model, including an allocation methodology and resources required to build the new system;
• Develop an approach to consolidate and streamline the future administration of new affordable housing contracts and agreements; and
• Ensure the system design enables the collection and monitoring of affordable housing performance metrics, as they relate to the targets set in the HousingTO Plan.

This report responds to the Committee’s requests and provides details on actions taken to date by City staff, including findings from the consultations held in 2021, as well as a concept design for the new access system.

There is no financial impact resulting from this report.

Anticipated financial impacts resulting from the development and operation of the centralized housing access system will be outlined in the final report presented to the Planning and Housing Committee in the second quarter of 2022, and submitted to the City Council for consideration through the 2023 budget process.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have reviewed this report and agree with the financial implications.

A final report will be provided to the Committee in the second quarter of 2022. This future report will outline implementation details related to the proposed new access system including the recommended procurement approach, resource requirements, and the overall financial impact on the City. Subject to Council approval, the new affordable housing access system is anticipated to be launched in 2023.

The HousingTO Plan envisions a city in which all residents have equal opportunity to develop to their full potential. The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan is also centred on a human rights-based approach to housing which recognizes that housing is essential to the inherent dignity and well-being of a person and to build healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

The current population, the housing market, employment, and residential vacancy trends suggests that demand for affordable housing in Toronto will continue to outpace supply. While the City works to increase the supply of affordable housing to better address the needs of residents, it is important that existing and new affordable units are offered and filled in a way that is fair, equitable, and transparent. Through the creation of a centralized housing access system, and based on extensive consultation including with applicants themselves, the City will improve the way it assesses housing needs, collects data, and allocates units.

Creating new affordable and supportive housing, and streamlining the allocation of (and access to) the new homes will increase the opportunity for vulnerable and marginalized people from equity-deserving groups including Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people, seniors, women, gender diverse people, youth and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to access safe, healthy, and adequate homes.

Safe, secure, affordable housing is an important determinant of health. It improves the social and economic status of individuals, families, and communities. Good quality, affordable housing is also the cornerstone of vibrant, healthy neighborhoods and supports the environmental and economic health of the city, region, and country as a whole.