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The input and feedback received through the public consultation sessions is summarized below. These comments reflect the vision, principles, goals and themes that were stated in the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation Document, which formed the basis for the consultations.

Please note that this is a summary, not a full report.

The Ontario government is now reviewing and considering all of the public input from the consultation sessions, as well as other comments received. This information will be a key component in the development of the final Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy that is anticipated for release in 2010.

Background information about the consultations, including the Consultation Document, and updates on the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy is available at www.ontario.ca/housingstrategy.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us.

Overview of the Public Consultation Process
What We Heard

1. What specific roles should each of the housing partners play in the delivery of affordable housing?
2. What changes are needed to our housing programs to better use resources and improve access to affordable housing?
3. What changes are required to the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 to reduce the regulatory burden and improve the management of social housing?
4. What creative new ideas could improve the current housing system?
5. What should be used as the housing indicator for Ontario’s Poverty Reducion Strategy? In this context, what do terms like affordable, adequate and suitable housing mean to you?

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Overview of the Public Consultation Process

The government conducted 13 consultations in Ontario communities from all parts of the province – north and south, urban and rural. This ensured that we were able to hear about the various housing issues, concerns and input from all Ontarians.

Over 1,100 individuals from all walks of life attended and participated in the 13 consultation sessions. The sessions were held in Sault Ste. Marie, Peel Region, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Scarborough, Toronto (2), Ottawa, London, Hamilton, Lindsay, Sudbury, Thunder Bay. Some MPPs also hosted sessions and gathered information.

An additional 300 people have submitted their input, queries and comments via telephone, completing the online questionnaire and/or email. In addition, we have received more than 100 formal submissions from a number of housing stakeholders and housing organizations.

Dozens of housing organizations participated in the public consultation sessions including landlord and tenant organizations, municipalities, home builders associations, social and co-operative housing organizations, Aboriginal partners and social advocacy groups.

What We Heard

At the public consultation sessions, participants were asked to provide input on a series of key questions, which are also found in the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation Document. The summaries that follow each question reflect what was heard at the sessions. Please remember that these are summaries, not a full report.

1. What specific roles should each of the housing partners play in the delivery of affordable housing?

Federal Government:

• Create a National Housing Strategy that includes long-term, sustainable and predictable funding

Provincial Government:

• Consolidate housing programs and ministries
• Tenant-focused housing support programs, e.g. rent supplement, housing benefit programs
• Ensure provincial housing framework allows for local flexibility

Municipal Service Managers:

• Local flexibility to tailor funding and programs to local needs
• Better communication and coordination among tenants, housing providers and service managers

All Housing Partners:

• Develop and strengthen partnerships among all housing partners and examine ways of engaging and encouraging partners to become more involved in housing sector
• Increase funding for affordable housing

2. What changes are needed to our housing programs to better use resources and improve access to affordable housing? Changes could include modifications to the Affordable Housing Program or the simplification of housing and homelessness programs.

Coordination and consolidation of housing program and ministries

• Reduce gaps and improve accessibility for clients
• Review current programs and reduce administrative complexity
• Create a “one window approach” to housing information and programs
• Streamline housing and homelessness programs

Legislation and Programs

• Review Affordable Housing Program including, but not limited to:
• Simplifying reporting requirements for Service Managers and Service Providers
• Expanding the northern repair program
• Developing an independent review process for Service Manager decisions
• Review the Residential Tenancies Act
• Examine rent controls/vacancy decontrol
• Address maintenance issues
• Housing programs should have stable, predictable and long term funding to ensure that the programs continue to meet the needs of the client

3. What changes are required to the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 to reduce the regulatory burden and improve the management of social housing?

Re-branding Social Housing

• Create a community-centred branding of housing, e.g. address the stigma associated with the term "social housing"
• Create opportunities for people to feel pride and dignity in their communities and across the housing continuum

Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) System

• Explore new models for RGI eligibility and calculation, including income and asset exclusions
• Revisit the 30% RGI income threshold
• Calculate income thresholds using "net" income, not "gross" income
• Remove disincentives to employment, e.g. "clawback" of subsidies
• Review eligibility timelines and "oppressive" program rules, e.g. onerous and complicated information reporting requirements for tenants and housing providers
• Remove “rent ceilings/market caps” on RGI units to make them available to house low-income households currently on the waiting list

Waiting List Management

• Balance the placement of Special Priority Policy clients and other clients on the social housing waiting list
• Adopt additional provincial "priority" areas that focus on other demographics, including vulnerable youth, the homeless and those with disabilities

Governance, Accountability and Decision-Making

• Recognise and support tenant involvement in the governance of non-profits
• Increase accountability, knowledge transfer and succession planning for non-profit boards to enhance capacity and decision-making
• Increase accountability and reporting at all levels – from housing providers to tenants and from service managers to the province
• Create an independent appeal process for decisions about RGI eligibility and rent subsidy calculations

Administration

• Deregulate the ministerial consent process to provide greater autonomy for service managers to make decisions about the financing, development and redevelopment of social housing portfolios
• Increase flexibility and autonomy for housing providers to ensure the local community has a central role in housing

4. What creative new ideas could improve the current housing system? This could include new planning tools, innovative financial options and new green technologies.

Housing should be people centred rather than program focused

• Tie subsidies to the individual rather than the unit
• Create a portable Housing Benefit payable to individuals
• Ensure tenants have access to appropriate support services within social and affordable housing, e.g. mental health and addiction supports
• Provide supports, programs and protections that allow people to live with respect and dignity in their homes and thrive in their communities

Planning:

• Address NIMBYism; increase the public’s knowledge of affordable housing
• Affordable housing should be built in accessible locations e.g. close to transit systems, community services, employment services
• Institute more planning reforms to encourage the building of affordable housing

Green Housing Initiatives:

• Explore cutting edge green technologies and develop partnerships with community-based and academic institutions to increase the energy efficiency of affordable and social housing
• Provide incentives for green technologies in affordable housing and promote energy efficiency
• Community gardens could be used to promote community integration and healthy lifestyles

Funding and Management - Social Housing

• Facilitate the ability to refinance or redevelop existing housing projects
• All subsidy surpluses should remain with housing provider

Innovative Financing

• Leverage public-private partnerships to encourage continued development of various housing options across the housing continuum
• Consider a funding approach that allows municipalities to have the necessary flexibility to address local housing needs
• Create a revolving fund to assist housing providers and support pre-construction funding of affordable housing projects
• Housing programs should have stable, predictable and long term funding to ensure that the programs continue to meet the needs of the client

5. What should be used as the housing indicator for Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy? In this context, what do terms like affordable, adequate and suitable housing mean to you?

Indicator

• Recognize that no single indicator captures the dynamics between housing and poverty
• Measure and manage dynamics of waitlist including length of time on waiting list, local demographics, type and amount of available housing
• Tracking the housing needs of specific groups, e.g. Aboriginal peoples, racialized communities
• Indicator could measure quality of life (ability of household to afford a decent standard of living after paying housing costs)

Adequate

• Housing should meet health and safety standards
• Buildings and units are in a good state of repair

Affordable

• No consensus found in what is considered affordable
• Need to consider: costs of living, utility costs, income levels, urban vs. rural, north vs. south when defining affordability

Suitable

• Accessibility for persons with disabilities
• Proper support services, e.g. mental health, addictions
• Size of units is appropriately matched to the needs of the household, e.g. overhousing / underhousing