Stopping Residential Evictions During COVID-19 - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Ana Bailão

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The decision

2020-12-16 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council, as sole shareholder, request the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to implement a three-month moratorium on evictions due to non-payment of rent. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing, to report to the Planning and Housing Committee meeting scheduled for February 22, 2021 with a recommendation on whether to extend the moratorium beyond March 17, 2021.

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3. City Council request the Premier of Ontario to immediately sign the emergency order to stop residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

In the midst of COVID-19 and an affordable housing crisis, keeping people housed is critical not only to the City's post-pandemic recovery, but also to prevent further pressure on our shelter and respite system. At its September 30, 2020 meeting, City Council requested that the province implement a moratorium on residential evictions. Toronto Community Housing Corporation houses approximately 110,000 residents across the 2,100 buildings in its portfolio.

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As the City's leading social housing provider, many Toronto Community Housing Corporation tenants have been significantly impacted by the pandemic due to losses to income and supports. On December 8, 2020, Toronto Centre MPP Suze Morrison moved a motion in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario asking for an emergency order to halt residential evictions during COVID-19. This motion was adopted by the House, and the request for an emergency order is now before Premier Ford. At the time of this writing, Premier Ford had not signed the emergency order. In the event the emergency order is not signed, as sole shareholder of TCHC, it is incumbent on City Council to ensure Toronto Community Housing Corporation tenants are not at risk of becoming homeless due to non-payment of rent during this pandemic. For further clarity, this moratorium does not prevent Toronto Community Housing from notifying tenants of their arrears or of the possibility that unremedied arrears could lead to an eviction at a future date. Toronto Community Housing should continue to issue appropriate notices, engage with tenants, and negotiate repayment agreements whenever possible.

Staff recommended

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Ana Bailão, recommends that: 1. City Council, as sole shareholder, request the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to implement a three-month moratorium on evictions due to non-payment of rent. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing, to report to the Planning and Housing Committee meeting scheduled for February 22, 2021 with a recommendation on whether to extend the moratorium beyond March 17, 2021.

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3. City Council request the Premier of Ontario to immediately sign the emergency order to stop residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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