THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

STRATEGIC HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE

MINUTES

SHHC-2/2020
-
Council Chamber, 5th Floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, Ontario
Members Present:
  • G.S. Dhillon
  • C. Fonseca
  • A. Groves (Chair)
  • N. Iannicca
  • P. Vicente (Vice-Chair)
Members Absent:
  • G. Carlson
  • M. Medeiros
Staff Present
  • N. Polsinelli, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
  • S. Baird, Commissioner of Digital and Information Services
  • K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Interim Commissioner of Corporate Services
  • S. VanOfwegen, Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
  • P. O'Connor, Regional Solicitor
  • J. Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services
  • C. Granger, Acting Commissioner of Health Services
  • C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
  • H. Gill, Legislative Specialist
  • H. West, Committee Clerk
  • S. Valleau, Legislative Specialist
  • R. Khan, Legislative Technical Coordinator

The Region of Peel Strategic Housing and Homelessness Committee met on October 15, 2020 at 1:32 p.m., in the Regional Council Chamber, 5th Floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, ON. The Committee Chair attended in-person. Members of the Committee and staff participated electronically. 

Other Regional Councillors Present: R. Starr; A. Thompson

Councillor Carlson was absent due to a personal matter.

Councillor Medeiros was absent due to a personal matter.

  • RECOMMENDATION SHHC-6-2020

    That the agenda for the October 15, 2020 Strategic Housing and Homelessness Committee meeting be approved.

Nil.

(For information) (Related to 5.2)
Presentation by Steve Dickson, Director, Housing Development Office

  • Received

Steve Dickson, Director, Housing Development Office, provided information on the role and work of the Housing Development Office. He highlighted how the Housing Master Plan is being advanced, current initiatives that are underway, outcomes and achievements to date and the priorities for 2021. Steve Dickson stated that the Housing Development Office (HDO) partners with private and non-profit housing developers and community organizations to identify and support new affordable housing development opportunities, noting that the HDO is also responsible for the Incentives Pilot project. Steve Dickson advised that two videos were created to optimize engagement of Peel residents and stakeholders, with the purpose of increasing understanding about the impact of affordable housing. The videos will be leveraged through digital and social media to help increase awareness on the need for affordable housing.

(Related to 5.1)
Presentation by Aileen Baird, Director, Housing Services

  • Received
  • RECOMMENDATION SHHC-7-2020

    That the report from the Commissioner of Human Services, titled “Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan – 2020 Annual Update”, be approved;

    And further, that the subject report be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as the Region of Peel’s annual and mandatory housing and homelessness plan update.

Aileen Baird, Director, Housing Services, identified that the pressures within the housing system are significant and growing in in the Region of Peel and that currently, the housing market is unaffordable for approximately 80 per cent of families. She noted the challenges with long waitlists for affordable housing, buildings in need of repair, overflowing emergency shelters and the requirement for mental health and addictions supports from the health care system. Aileen Baird provided an overview of the Region of Peel’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan to address these pressures; the achievements that have been accomplished during the past 18 months; and, the priorities for 2021 and 2022 that will be implemented.

In response to a question from Councillor Vicente regarding solutions for homelessness in the downtown Brampton core, Aileen Baird presented a slide outlining how Region of Peel Housing Services are delivered, key issues, risks facing the system and issues that need to be addressed by the health care system. She provided information regarding emergency interventions designed to meet immediate needs and the Housing First approach that will assist clients by placing them more quickly in permanent housing. Once housed, some clients require wrap around supports to stay housed, noting that there is limited access to longer-term mental health and addictions services for clients. Those with complex needs struggle to remain housed and could end up back on the street. Aileen Baird indicated that although today’s discussion and direction is focused on improving housing access, access alone will not solve the problem of homelessness.

Aileen Baird stated that a report to address the urgent needs in the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga will be presented to Regional Council on November 26, 2020. The report will outline the costs associated with implementing solutions.

In response to a question from Councillor Vicente regarding how a homeless client can find immediate shelter, Aileen Baird stated that there is a new centralized shelter intake phone number. Anyone who calls the number will be booked into a shelter or a hotel room and transportation will be provided, if required. Support agencies can also call, on behalf of a client that does not have a cell phone. Janice Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services, advised that an additional outreach van will be in operation as of November 2, 2020.

Aileen Baird undertook to provide the centralized shelter intake phone number to Members of Council for communication with their constituents.

  • RECOMMENDATION SHHC-8-2020

    That the change in program delivery model at Angela’s Place, City of Mississauga, Ward 5, as outlined in the report from the Commissioner of Human Services, titled “Angela’s Place – Conversion to Permanent Housing”, be approved.

Nil.

The next meeting of the Strategic Housing and Homeless Committee  is scheduled for Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 9:30 a.m., Regional Administrative Headquarters, Council Chamber, 5th floor, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, ON.

Please forward regrets to Helena West, Committee Clerk, at [email protected].

The meeting adjourned at 2:27 p.m.