Whereas the Region of Peel has a no turn away policy in our shelter system;
And whereas, Peel has played an important role in supporting hundreds of asylum claimants seeking refuge by providing housing, financial assistance, medical and social supports and services;
And whereas, there are 1041 asylum claimants currently in our Peel shelter system, as well as 100 plus unsheltered outside the Dundas shelter and other shelters;
And whereas, Peel has seen a 307 per cent occupancy in our shelter system including operating ten overflow hotels, and five specifically dedicated for asylum claimants;
And whereas, 66 per cent of the shelter population are asylum claimants;
And whereas, there are 128 known encampments in Peel;
And whereas, Peel has seen a 167 per cent increase in encampments since 2022;
And whereas, Peel has seen unbudgeted and escalating costs in Peel totaling approximately $3.5 million per month investing in our shelter system and wrap around services in 2023, which is simply not sustainable;
And whereas, Peel plays a unique role as a “gateway” to the country for asylum seekers and refugees, having the busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Peel continues to see an influx of asylum claimants arriving to our shelters daily;
And whereas, on September 28, 2023 Region of Peel Chair Nando Iannicca, Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown, Mayor of Caledon Annette Groves and Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie sent a letter to the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, outlining the crisis situation and requesting the immediate assistance required for asylum claimants;
And whereas, on October 26, 2023, Region of Peel Council unanimously supported the report “Homelessness Policy Programs” outlining Peel’s commitment to address the housing and homeless crisis in Peel including and specific to addressing our Emergency Shelter Systems:
- 2023 shelter overflow costs estimated at $26.9 million, of which approximately $15 million is attributed to asylum claimants.
- 2023 Housing Support operating budget includes $3.2 million HPP funding.
- $3.5 million Reaching Home and $0.8 million Regional funding for shelter overflow costs.
- If the anticipated $16.5 million gap is not reimbursed through Peel’s IHAP 2023 funding claim, shelter overflow costs could drive a deficit in the 2023 Housing Support operating service.
- Shelter overflow costs for 2024 are anticipated to reach approximately $42 million (currently estimated at $3.5M per month).
- A 2024 Housing Support operating budget includes $4.9 million HPP funding, $6.7 million Reaching Home, and $0.8 million Regional funding for shelter overflow costs.
And whereas, as of October 26, 2023, external funding from Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) and Peel’s Reaching Home for 2024/2025 has not yet been announced;
And whereas, without confirmation of external Homelessness Policy and Programs funding, shelter overflow costs could drive an operating deficit in the 2024 Housing Support program;
Therefore be it resolved that:
- Peel Regional Council call on the Federal Government for immediate assistance for asylum claimants through the IHAP funding allocation of at least $15 million to recoup costs for 2023 and up to $42 million into 2024; and
- Request that the Federal Government move towards an allocation-based approach to disbursing the IHAP funding based on number of asylum claimants served, rather than an application based process in order to be consistent amongst service managers; and
- At a minimum, match the Provincial contribution of $2.11 million announced for Peel through the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit on September 18, 2023; and
- Request that the Federal Government create a dedicated support program for In-Land and Point of Entry asylum claimants similar to the Government Assisted Refugee (GAR) Program to prevent homelessness for asylum seekers and the need to rely on the severely constrained and the already under funded emergency shelter and community housing systems programs in Peel; and
- Request that the Federal Government create a Dedicated Asylum Claimant Program, separate and apart from the community housing and homelessness system to include Regional Reception Centres where individuals can access community amenities, services and supports and temporary emergency beds to ensure successful integration into employment and the community; and
- Encourage the Federal Government to work with all levels of government including Peel, City of Mississauga, City of Brampton and Town of Caledon, Province of Ontario and partners such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Canadian Council of Refugees to establish an Intergovernmental Strategy that will outline roles and responsibilities to support and care for our most vulnerable and those who come to Canada for a safe and better life.