Immediate Federal Government Support Required for Refugee Claimants in Toronto

Despite over a year of discussions with our intergovernmental partners, the funds provided to date are not enough to support our shelter demands and, in fact, do not come close to covering costs already spent. This has put the City of Toronto in an ongoing financial situation that is unsustainable. The City of Toronto has already taken significant actions to address this severe crisis, including: expanding capacity by 250 beds at local hotels through a contract with Canadian Red Cross in response to MM8.29; cost sharing with the provincial government an expansion to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) for up to 1,350 households; activating the Refugee Capacity Plan to coordinate City staff, resources, and community partnerships, including new interdivisional tables and an updated DonateTO Website; and strengthening intergovernmental advocacy and regional engagement. Despite these actions, current demand for shelter space is so high that every night the City is unable to provide shelter to hundreds of people (both refugee and non-refugees) requesting a space. In response to the recent increase in refugee claimants, community churches have stepped up and made space available for recently arrived refugee claimants. This report recommends providing up to $750,000 to churches and community organizations for expenses incurred towards providing temporary shelter to refugee claimants. This recommendation is in addition to the $150,000 in emergency funding that was authorized for release to three churches last week. Through the ongoing work of staff, the City of Toronto has identified options that could immediately be actioned by the Federal government to assist refugee claimants in their critical immediate shelter and housing needs. Without the Federal contribution to the solutions identified, refugee claimants will have no place to go once they leave temporary accommodations such as the churches. Further, many of these newcomers will find themselves on the street as the City shelters are full. Increasing shelter options will require looking at opportunities outside of Toronto and as such the action on these options should be coordinated and funded by the Federal government. Moving forward on additional shelter options is especially important as we approach the winter months. Finally, it is important to contextualize this report as a response to the current crisis driven by the latest surge in refugee claimant arrivals, which impact not only Toronto, but has expanded into neighbouring municipalities and is showing signs of continued growth. The City's homelessness service system works but it is at capacity. Right now, the pressures being placed on the system far exceed anything experienced previously due to an inability to meet unprecedented demand and an increasingly disproportionate share of care required throughout the region.

an ongoing commitment of Interim Housing Assistance Program funding to address the estimated $250 million annual costs for refugees in 2024 and commit to future funding until the demand for shelter returns to sustainable levels; c. increase the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit allocations in municipalities across Ontario to allow refugee claimants to improve access to housing throughout the province, including $6.67 million to Toronto and a prorated amount to other municipalities; d. fund the Canadian Red Cross and Toronto-based representatives of the Ontario Coalition for Refugee Claimants to establish and manage a reception centre for refugee claimants who arrive in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; e. secure and fund the operation of all-season mobile health units to create capacity for up to 200 spaces; and f. identify and purchase/retrofit existing hotels and other suitable buildings to provide accommodation to refugees. 2. City Council increase the 2023 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration by $0.750 million gross and $0 net fully funded by a one-time draw from the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to: a. provide further compensation of up to $750,000 to churches or community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration for expenses incurred towards providing temporary shelter to refugee claimants; and b. enter into agreements with the churches and community organizations selected by the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration to distribute the compensation on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support, and Housing Administration.