Authority to Implement the New Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit Program

Benefit amounts are estimated to range from $500 to $1,200 per month, based on a formula set by the Province that uses information such as household income, household composition, and the local average market rent. Housing benefits under COHB will be offered to households who have been on the centralized waiting list for rent-geared-to-income housing for a long period of time and households that fall within one of the priority groups. Priority groups include Indigenous people, persons with physical disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. COHB recipients must agree to be removed from the centralized waiting list. New funding through COHB is a very positive development for the City, as it will support ongoing efforts to address Toronto's complex and growing housing challenges, which include a rise in housing unaffordability. COHB provides households on the centralized waiting list with the option to receive rental assistance sooner. In addition, housing benefits are portable, providing households with the flexibility to stay in their current home or find housing in a preferred location, closer to employment, social support networks, child care, and schools, or move to other communities across Ontario. The Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) division will administer COHB. The purpose of this report is to provide the General Manager of SSHA with the necessary authorities to receive COHB funding throughout the program term of 2020 to 2029, enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province and implement the program. As detailed further, program design and implementation will be guided by the program guidelines provided by the Province, which outline program requirements such as the benefit calculation formula, criteria for assessing initial and continued eligibility, and spending requirements. Council approval is particularly important at this time, as the City responds to the COVID-19 pandemic and is rapidly implementing a range of critical housing stability measures. The provision of new housing benefits under COHB is an important component of these efforts.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to receive and utilize in accordance with program guidelines, administration payments of $250 per approved Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit application or up to 5% of the funding allocation available from 2020 to 2022 for costs associated with ongoing staffing and general administration to implement the program. 3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, as appropriate, to enter into agreements or other suitable arrangements with other City of Toronto Divisions, Provincial Ministries, community agencies, private entities and/or individuals to deliver the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit in accordance with the provincial program guidelines.