A Better Quality of Life for Tenants in Toronto Community Housing - by Councillor Michael Ford, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher

We have also seen a constant change in leadership that has led not only to instability in the Corporation itself, but also in the lives of the tenants and staff of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Since 2002, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation has had a total of four Chief Executive Officers and two Acting Chief Executive Officers. In the last decade, three were dismissed, including most recently, in February of this year. In July 2017, City Council directed the City Manager, in consultation with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, to review the governance structure of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and prepare an amended Shareholder Direction and other program and accountability instruments as required, that included: a. a revised tenant-focused service delivery model providing housing to families, individuals, youth and vulnerable tenants including seniors; b. improved integration and accountability with the City of Toronto as Service Manager and Shareholder; and c. a strengthened system of tenant engagement, including tenant representation on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. This Motion would expand on the above direction to the City Manager and include a review of all options to improve services to Toronto Community Housing Corporation tenants. It will look at the full spectrum of changes to Toronto Community Housing Corporation, including dissolving the corporation and integrating it into the City, either within an existing division or as its own division, creating an agency or commission. We need to create better housing, through improved accountability, transparency, living conditions, safety and satisfaction for tenants and staff. The status quo isn't working. We need to do things drastically differently and that is why we must consider all options to improve the living situation for our tenants. As Toronto City Councillors, we have an obligation to stand by the tenants of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and all residents of Toronto in matters that affect them - including housing.

it into the City, creating an agency or commission; the review is to include a jurisdictional scan of other housing providers in comparable municipalities, legislative and financial implications, accountability and transparency, coordination with City divisions and agencies, as well as advantages and disadvantages for all options.