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Social Housing. Social Housing. Agenda. Role of Service Manager Simcoe County Housing Corporation Federal/Provincial Affordable Housing Program Pressures/Risks Affordable Housing Strategy. Social Housing Organizational Chart. What is Social Housing.
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Agenda • Role of Service Manager • Simcoe County Housing Corporation • Federal/Provincial Affordable Housing Program • Pressures/Risks • Affordable Housing Strategy
What is Social Housing • Social Housing refers to rental housing developed with the assistance of government and subsidized by government for people of low to moderate incomes, seniors, or people with special needs who can live with supports in the community
History of Social Housing Devolution • 1997 Realignment of Provincial and Municipal responsibilities • 1998 Service Managers assumed responsibility for social housing costs • 1999 Signing of Federal/Provincial Social Housing Agreement • 2000 Introduction/Proclamation of Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 • SHRA 2000 provided the legislative authority to devolve and reform social housing programs.
Two Staged Approach to Devolution • Stage 1, January 1, 2001, transfer of public housing and commercial rent supplement to the County of Simcoe • Stage 2, April 1, 2002 included the responsibility to fund and administer non-profit and co-operatives social housing programs
Role of Service Manager • The County as Service Manager is responsible to plan, fund and manage the County’s social housing system
Social Housing Funding • Costs not cost shared with the Province • Federal Grant of approximately 7M which will decline overtime • Provincial subsidies for non-mandated programs such as strong communities rent supplement and Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing. • All other costs are covered 100% by the County
Social Housing • Two separate business functions • Simcoe County Housing Corporation, incorporated under the Business Corporation Act and the County is sole shareholder.
Social Housing • Social Housing Administration is responsible for overseeing the Service Manager role related to all transferred social housing programs. • Administration related to non-mandated initiatives such as Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program.
Non-Profit Social Housing Administration • Four program supervisors • Oversee 4113 non-profit, cooperative and urban native units and administration of strong communities rent supplement program and Canada-Ontario-Affordable Housing Program • 1 staff member dedicated to the AHP Program
Non-Profit Administration Staff Role • Ensure that housing providers operate, manage and maintain it’s program in accordance with legislation/Agreements • Provide operating subsidies monthly to Housing Providers
Non-Profit Administration Staff Role cont’d • Mitigate financial risk to the County and Province by monitoring and resolving projects in difficulty • Implement remedies as prescribed • Manage/administer numerous new initiatives related to social housing
Simcoe County Housing Corporation (SCHC) Program Responsibilities • Manage Direct Delivery of Public Housing • Maintain Centralized Waitlist • Property Management – Landlord/Tenant • Manage the Rent Supplement Program • Manage the Urban Native Program
SCHC Maintenance • Maintain properties to the highest standard and to code (fire, building and municipal) • Provide a safe, healthy environment • Reduce homelessness while maximizing revenue potential • Maintain the operating and capital works budget of $1,741,991
SCHC Centralized Waitlist • Manage the administration of the centralized waitlist including property management by ensuring the Corporation is in compliance with the Social Housing Reform Act • Maintain the waitlist on behalf of all social housing providers within the County • Comply with legislation regarding the Special Priority status to victims of domestic violence
SCHC Property Management • Provide client focused socially responsible services • Effective client interaction related to lease requirements • Ensure accurate rent calculations • Rent collection management
SCHC Rent Supplement Program • Involve private sector landlords who were looking for a role in the provision of social housing • Rent supplement owners are responsible for normal landlord/tenant responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act.
SCHC Urban Native Program • County assumed ownership in 2005 • Assumed original operating agreement • Rent calculation different than other social housing programs • Applicants of this program on a different waiting list
SCHC Staff Compliment • Maintenance Managers – 2 • Applicant/Tenant Services Supervisor - 1 • Tenant Services Coordinator – 3 • Tenant Counsellor - 1 • Housing Clerks – 5 • Custodians - 16
Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program • Rental & Supportive (target 9000 units) • Remote (target 1500 units) • Homeownership (target 4,500 units) • Housing Allowances (target 5000 units)
Affordable Housing Pilot Rental Projects • County was 1 of 13 Service Managers who participated • 156 units approved, Agreements signed for 114 units in 4 Projects • 3 Projects under construction • 1 Project trying to negotiate first mortgage financing
Affordable Housing Rental and Supportive Projects • $10.85M allocated to County for a minimum of 155 units under Wave 1 • Includes 45 supportive units • Up to $70,000.00 per unit • 10 Proposals received • Evaluations in process
Affordable Housing Homeownership • $1.026M to deliver a minimum of 118 units • Develop delivery model this Spring • Down payment assistance to low to moderate income households • County to maintain Revolving Fund for 15 years
Affordable Housing Allowance • $1.65M to deliver a minimum of 110 allowances • Includes 10 allowances for victims of domestic violence • $250.00 per month per household for 5 years • 101 allowances allotted to date, units will be occupied by April
Affordable Housing Delivery and Administration • One staff dedicated to Rental & Supportive and Pilots • Lawyer and Cost Consultant services • One staff has been full time on Housing Allowances • Homeownership yet to be delivered • Extra Program Supervisor to be hired for one year
Social Housing Pressures/Risks • Inadequate supply of RGI housing • Aging social housing stock and inadequate capital reserves • Increasing capital and operating costs • Prescribed Service Level Standard and impact of expiring operating agreements/mortgages • Financial risk of mortgage renewals • Decline of federal subsidies • Risk Management – Projects in Difficulty
How is the County Addressing Social Housing Pressures/Risks • Service Manager Housing Network • Participation on Ministry work groups/task force • Briefing County Council on issues and seek approval to lobby Provincial/Federal government for additional funding to address pressures/risks
How is the County Addressing Social Housing Pressures/Risks cont’d • Increasing our commercial rent supplement supply to ensure service level standard are achieved • Participation in all components of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing • Initiating a Housing Needs Assessment/Strategy 2006/07 • Initiating a building condition assessment of all social housing property planned for 2007
Social Housing Strategy • Part I – Social Housing Assessment • Part II – Social Housing Strategy • Stakeholder Consultation Meeting – April 3rd • Presentation to Committee/Council – May