2023.MM8.29

Background

The city of Toronto is in desperate need of expanding shelter services for refugees. Shelter systems in Toronto, including the designated system for refugees, are at capacity and “over 300 people are turned away” every night which includes “upwards of 100 refugees and refugee claimants are waiting and sleeping outside the Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre.” In collaboration with funding from both provincial and federal governments, Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor McKelvie, and other staff have worked to develop a “long-term, sustainable plan to make sure people have dignified shelter and housing.” The city vows to continue investing in the “Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit” to “open up more spaces in the shelter system as more people are securely housed.” This also involves a match by the provincial government to support the creation of “approximately 1,350 households.” Current costs “to shelter and support the existing 3,100 refugees in the shelter system” are around $157 million, so the city is still requesting additional funding from the federal government and for assistance with the creation of “a refugee reception area” 

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

The city manager has been requested to promptly “make available temporary shelter for a minimum of 150 refugees and further find locations for an additional 100 refugees thereafter.” In order to provide shelter for refugees, the City Manager has also been directed to inquire about opportunities for additional shelter spaces for refugees through “partnerships with individuals, non-profit organizations, faith groups and other community agencies,” to “develop an outreach strategy to invite property owners in the region who are willing to provide rental accommodation to refugees,” and to “enter any necessary agreements with refugee-serving organizations such as the Red Cross in order to immediately establish a federally-funded reception centre for those refugee claimants arriving at Pearson International Airport.” Funding to support this initiative was acquired through the Federal and Provincial Government who provided $97 million (“through the Interim Housing Assistance Program”) and $6.67 million (through the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit” to provide “1,350 households”) respectively, but additional funding from the Federal Government is still being requested (up to the full amount proposed of $157 million).

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie