Housing Rights Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 9 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
HS5.1received
Resignation of a Member from the Housing Rights Advisory Committee
The City Clerk's Office received notice that Bahar Shadpour resigned from the Housing Rights Advisory Committee effective January 6, 2025. Staff from the Public Appointments Secretariat in the City Clerk's Office are leading a process to recruit applicants and help bring a nominated candidate to City Council for their consideration.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee accepted the resignation of Bahar Shadpour as a member effective January 6, 2025.
HS5.2received
Public Appointment to the Housing Rights Advisory Committee
At its meeting held December 17 and 18, 2024, City Council considered item CA20.2 - Appointment of a Public Member to the Housing Rights Advisory Committee, and appointed the following member to the Housing Rights Advisory Committee for a term of office starting December 19, 2024 and ending on November 14, 2026: - Annie Hodgins This appointment fills the vacancy left by Danyaal Raza who resigned on September 23, 2024.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.
HS5.3amended
In alignment with HRAC's mandate to provide advice to City Council, to ensure that the interests and needs of those with living/lived experiences of housing precarity, discrimination and homelessness are reflected in City programs and service delivery, I'm pleased to share the following updates: In September 2024, five HRAC members attended the Mayor's Renter's Action Committee Forum of tenants, tenant advocates, and non-profit housing providers to gather feedback on the formation of the committee, including its structure, mandate, priorities, and membership. In January 2025, HRAC members were invited to a consultation on the City's Rental Replacement Policy, of which five HRAC members attended. The consultation was one of many led by City Planning and was focused on the components of the policy including, tenant relocation and assistance plan, replacement of existing rental housing, and the rental replacement process. In addition, Ombudsman Toronto presented "An Investigation into the City's Decision to Stop Allowing Refugee Claimants into Base Shelter System Beds - Ombudsman Toronto" at the December meeting of City Council. The report was received by Council, which meant that it was not debated, nor was further action taken at that time. The issues raised in the report require thoughtful discussion and at the end of the Council meeting the Mayor committed to further consideration. I have been working closely with Councillor Perks who has been in touch with the Mayor's office. The Mayor is committed to taking action, and I have been told that there will be an opportunity for our committee to consider the fundamental right to housing in the context of the Ombudsman's report and the impact of current international events on the shelter system going forward. Lastly, I want to share that representatives from the Right2HousingTO have reached out to the Committee and shared their plans to develop an evaluation framework to track the City's progress on employing a rights-based approach to its housing policies and programs through the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which is up for its mid-point review this year. The Right2HousingTO has expressed interest in providing a presentation of this framework at our next HRAC meeting. Given our mandate to provide advice to City Council by independently monitoring the progress of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan's implementation, I recommend the Housing Rights Advisory Committee: 1. Invite representative(s) from Right2HousingTO to present at the next HRAC meeting on June 3, 2025.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee: 1. Invited representative(s) from Right2HousingTO to present at the next Housing Rights Advisory Committee meeting on June 3, 2025.
HS5.4received
Presentation by the Federal Housing Advocate
The Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, will provide a presentation and overview of her office's systemic review on encampments and follow-up activities since the report was released on February 13, 2024. She will also share emerging best practices on engagement with rights holders in alignment with a human rights-based approach.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.
HS5.5received
Introduction and Housing Rights Overview by the Deputy Ombudsman (Housing)
The Deputy Ombudsman (Housing), Reema Patel, will discuss the key housing rights issues identified by the Housing Rights Advisory Committee.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.
HS5.6received
Supporting Unhoused Rights Holders Working Group Chair Update
The Chair of the Supporting Unhoused Rights Holders Working Group will provide an update based on the discussion and outcomes of their meeting.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.
HS5.7received
Improving Access to Housing Working Group Chair Update
The Chair of the Improving Access to Housing Working Group Chair Update will provide an update based on the discussion and outcomes of their meeting.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.
HS5.8amended
Maintaining Housing Working Group Chair Update
The Chair of the Maintaining Housing Working Group will provide an update based on the discussion and outcomes of their meeting.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Chair of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee to submit the letter from the Housing Rights Advisory Committee on Item HS5.8 - Maintaining Housing Working Group Chair Update to the special City Council meeting on the Mayor's proposed 2025 capital and operating budgets.
HS5.9received
Update on Supportive Housing Evaluation
Matt Hilder, Manager, Housing Secretariat, will provide a presentation on an upcoming evaluation of supportive housing programs in Toronto. Discussion and consultation on the planning and roll-out of the evaluation will follow.
The Housing Rights Advisory Committee received the item for information.