2021.EC25.5

Background

This report provides an update on the results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment (SNA), and seeks Council approval of the attached Homelessness Solutions Service Plan for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA). 

The SNA, conducted in April 2021 for the fifth time in Toronto, is a needs assessment survey and point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto led by SSHA, in collaboration with community partners in the homelessness sector. The 2021 results provide critical data needed to understand the impact of the pandemic on homelessness, and to understand broader service needs of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The SNA also gives people experiencing homelessness a voice in what services would help them get housing and the supports they need to end their homelessness. 

Based on the results of the SNA, as well as extensive engagement and feedback with frontline staff, service providers, sector partners and people with lived experience of homelessness, the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan identifies the implementation priorities to guide SSHA and our partners in the homelessness service system in Toronto over the next three years. The plan supports our ongoing efforts to build and strengthen a responsive homelessness service delivery system which uses an integrated and person-centred approach to address homelessness. 

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

The General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration recommends that: 

1. City Council adopt the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan outlined in Attachment 2 to this report. 

2. City Council thank all of the community partners, frontline staff and stakeholders who provided input into the development of the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan, the City and community provider staff who led the implementation of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment, and the more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness who participated in the 2021 Street Needs Assessment survey and shared what services they need to find and maintain housing. 

3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to approve and implement all ongoing enhancement and development of the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS) and its alternative iterations required to transform the system into a Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), including enhanced flow of information across programs with all of the necessary security, privacy and client consent practices in place. 

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Economic and Community Development Committee