New Centralized Affordable Housing Access System: Consultation Findings and Concept Design

As a first step to implementing the HousingTO Plan recommendations, in April 2021 through Item PH22.10, staff recommended an implementation plan for the development of a new centralized access system for affordable housing. At this meeting, Planning and Housing Committee requested staff to complete the following activities and report back to the Committee: · Engage stakeholders, including the public, private and non-profit housing providers, community organizations and the development industry; · Develop a concept design of the new access model, including an allocation methodology and resources required to build the new system; · Develop an approach to consolidate and streamline the future administration of new affordable housing contracts and agreements; and · Ensure the system design enables the collection and monitoring of affordable housing performance metrics, as they relate to the targets set in the HousingTO Plan. This report responds to the Committee's requests and provides details on actions taken to-date by City staff, including findings from the consultations held in 2021, as well as a concept design for the new access system. A final report will be provided to the Committee in the second quarter of 2022. This future report will outline implementation details related to the proposed new access system including the recommended procurement approach, resource requirements, and the overall financial impact to the City. Subject to Council approval, the new affordable housing access system is anticipated to be launched in 2023.