Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 Regional Municipality of Waterloo Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee Minutes Thursday, Feb. 18, p.m. 4 p.m. Room 218, Regional Administration Building 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario Members present: Councillor Armstrong, Ron Flaming, Klaudios Mustakas, Mina Fayez-Bahgat, Carine Nind, Deb Schlichter (Chair), Members absent: Rosie Chrisjohn-Weiler, Councillor Shantz, Derek McDonald Also present: Sherry White, Judy Maan-Miedema, Jennifer Murdoch-Martin, Lori-Ann Gagne, Lynn Macaulay, Dan Driedger, Sabine Behnk, Tiara Jacobs-Grant 1. Welcome and Introductions Deb Schlichter called the Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee (WRCHAC) meeting to order at 2 p.m. with introductions around the table. 2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interested under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act None declared. 3. Review of Agenda Moved by Councillor Armstrong Seconded by Klaudios Mustakas

2 WRCHAC February 18, 2016 That the Agenda of Thursday, Feb. 28, 2016 be amended to add Community Housing Review System under Other business and be adopted. Carried 4. Review of Minutes of Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Moved by Klaudios Mustakas Seconded by Ron Flaming That the Minutes of Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 of the Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee be considered for errors and/or omissions and be adopted. Carried 5. Updates a) Recent Community Services Committee Reports & Memos No reports. b) Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) i) Rental Housing: The Investment in Affordable Housing allocation is approx. $17.1 million for new supply over six years, of which $6.35 million in Year 4, 5 and 6 funding has not yet been allocated to specific projects. Year 1 and 2 projects with Kitchener Housing and Working Centre are underway, and Year 3 and 4 projects are still in development. Region staff are working with proponents through the development phase. The Region will conduct another Request for Proposal (RFP), but the timing of this RFP has not yet been determined, and will need to ensure appropriate allocation of current funding within each Year and potential new funding as outlined in the recent federal and provincial budgets. ii) Affordable Homeownership Program and Ontario Renovates Program: These programs remain active and successful programs. We continue to receive applications for participation in this program. The additional allocation may require further promotion of the programs to ensure full take up. iii) Housing Assistance: Funding for 100 units has been allocated under this funding stream.

3 WRCHAC February 18, 2016 a. 40 Housing Assistance with Supports (HAWS) b. 60 Wait List Assistance Program (see item 6 c) IAH FUNDING ALLOCATION PROGRAM COMPONENT YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR TOTAL UNITS Rental Housing (Capital) $1,103,900 $1,866,890 $4,033,850 $4,280,905 $4,019,315 $1,799,410 $17,104, Homeownership (Capital) $250,000 $250,000 $500, Ontario Renovates $350,000 $450,000 $450,000 $450,000 $450,000 $2,150, (Capital) Housing Assistance (Operating) * $1,316,130 $2,520,000 $3,836, Administration (Operating) $127,370 $249,310 $249,150 $248,995 $248,385 $118,390 $1,241,600 TOTAL $2,547,400 $4,986,200 $4,983,000 $4,979,900 $4,967,700 $2,367,800 $24,832, *Operating Budget Commitment of funds in year one and two of the program, actual program expenditures can occur up to March 31, 2024 PROPOSED PRIORITY PROJECTS Priority Projects Amount Number of Units Timeframe The Working Centre $1,103, Year 1 Year 1 Total $1,103, Kitchener Housing Inc. $1,866, Year 2 Year 2 Total $1,866, Young Women s Christian Association of Kitchener- Waterloo $450,000 3 Year 3

4 WRCHAC February 18, 2016 Elmira Year 3 Developmental Support Corporation $300,000 6 MennoHomes Inc. $1,703, Year 3 Heartwood Place $500, Year 3 Supportive Housing of Waterloo $1,080,000 9 Year 3 Year 3 Total $4,033, Home Concept Property $3,750, Year 4 Management Remaining to allocate $530,905 Year 4 Year 4 Total $4,280, Total (Year 1-4) $11,285, c) Co-ordinated Access & Income Testing Currently the application process for the wait list includes applicants selecting which community housing buildings they would like to live in and be offered rent geared to income (RGI) housing ( site selection ). Site selection is not a mandatory part of the approval process for an application ( eligibility ). The Region is working on a process to move the site selection part of the process to closer to the time when the household is nearer to the top of the waitlist (excluding Priority and Status applications). This would address a number of issues, including; selecting appropriate unit size (families compositions change), selecting more appropriate area and type of housing, and will only select units for which the household qualifies. This process will also match the new technology currently under development. The tentative time frame to implement this is May/June Committee members suggested the Region use HHUG to help promote and communicate the changes, particularly with organizations that assist with completing applications on behalf of clients. Sherry White noted that the Housing Catalog has been updated. The Committee suggested this be tweeted by the Region.

5 WRCHAC February 18, 2016 d) Forums/meetings The Region will be hosting a provider meeting on March 21, 2016 to review template letters, revised forms and process charts for Market to RGI, Addition to Household and Refusing Three Internal offers. 6. Items for Information and Discussion a) Wait List Access Priority Review: The Region hosted information and consultation session through January and February The Committee members that attended noted that they liked the rotation format to participate in each discussion area, they appreciated the opportunity to contribute/participate in the process, and felt it was also an opportunity to educate others in the housing sector. In April, the Region will host an information session to provide a summary of feedback and comments from the consultation sessions. Recommendations will be circulated in June and final recommendations to Council in the fall b) Housing Services Integration update: Housing Services intends to have a new model by the end of March The next WRCHAC meeting will include an update on this process. c) Wait List Assistance Program: A report is going forward to Committee/Council Feb. 23, The report will provide recommendations for implementation of the program and allocation of the IAH funding. 7. Reports from the Sector Representatives Rosie Chrisjohn-Weiler: No report Ron Flaming: They are getting ready for the implementation of the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) Supportive Housing effective April 1, Derek McDonald: No report. Klaudios Mustakas: Cypriot Homes has a new staff member. Thanks to Region staff for support during transition. Carine Nind : Their staff association held annual conference at Elmhurst Feb. 11/12, This was a successful event combining three staff associations in southern Ontario. COCHF is planning a conference and AGM on April 9, 2016 for members and staff.

6 WRCHAC February 18, 2016 Mina Mayez-Baghet: Waterloo Region Housing still working through the new business model where building assets are the responsibility of Facilities Management at the Region, along with the Division integration process. WRH is coordinating with StepHome on eviction prevention planning and piloting access to space for agencies to operate in challenging communities (two sites under consideration). They also plan to complete a baseline analysis regarding costs of policing/ambulance/fire and Call Centre to quantify the impact of the eviction prevention planning and a Perception of Safety Audit. The general approach is towards community development over bricks and mortar. WRH has been appointed as the property manager for Region of Waterloo Community Housing Inc. (ROWCHI). The Region Facilities division and Finance division will also be providing services to ROWCHI. 8. Other Business The current housing provider representatives on the Community Housing Review System terms will expire in December The Region will be sending out an Expression of Interest to all housing providers for membership on the Community Housing Review Committee in the spring. 9. Next Meeting: Thursday April 21, 2:00 4:00 p.m. 10. Motion to Adjourn Moved by Councillor Armstrong THAT the Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee meeting on Feb.18, 2016, be adjourned. Carried Deb Schlichter declared the meeting adjourned at 3: 30 p.m. Committee Chair, D. Schlichter Committee Clerk, J. Murdoch