Release of Section 37 Funds to Build a LGBTQ2S+ Transitional Home for Friends of Ruby (formerly the Egale Centre/Egale Human Rights Trust) in a Toronto Community Housing Building at 257 Dundas Street East - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Paul Ainslie

In July 2015, City Council authorized the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into a purchase of service agreement with Egale Human Rights Trust for the establishment of a new permanent 30-bed transitional and emergency housing program for LGBTQ2S youth in the former Ward 27, now Ward 13. The Ward Councillor has to date supported a contribution of $1 million in Section 37 to the former Egale Centre site at 257 Dundas Street East. Friends of Ruby have formally requested funding support of an additional $150,000 to fund the gap for construction renovations. This funding would help them meet their goal of approximately $15.5 million in total project costs. The 2018 Toronto Street Needs Assessment found that 11 percent of respondents identify as a part of the LGBTQ2S community, with 24 percent of respondents 16 to 24 years of age identifying as LGBTQ2S. Outdoor respondents were also slightly more likely to identify as LGBTQ2S compared to other surveyed groups. Compared to other groups, youth respondents staying in City-administered shelters and respondents staying outdoors were more likely to identify as non-heterosexual. As such, City Council has prioritized enhancing the shelter, transitional, and long term housing supports available in Toronto to LGBTQ2S+ youth. Funds have been secured from the development at 587 to 599 Yonge Street, 2 and 4 Dundonald Street, and 7 and 9 Gloucester Street as community benefits through Section 37 of the Planning Act towards Toronto Community Housing Corporation for capital improvements and/or community, cultural or recreational space improvements in the local area. The funds identified have been received by the City.

2. City Council direct that the $150,000.00 be forwarded to Friends of Ruby, subject to Friends of Ruby signing an undertaking governing the use of the funds for capital improvements and for financial reporting requirements.