No extra funding for eviction-prevention program,
Expanding a service that helps people who have been jailed keep their housing is one of several improvements and programs not funded in Toronto’s 2020 draft budget.
Exploring eviction-prevention measures to help people likely to lose their housing during a short period of incarceration was one of 55 recommendations made by a coroner’s jury in late 2018, after an inquest into the death of Brad Chapman, 43.
Chapman, a father of three who was homeless, died of acute opioid toxicity in August 2015. He was found by a security guard on a street near Yonge and Gerrard streets.
The city responded to the coroner’s recommendation by having the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration submit a business case to the 2020 budget process to enhance funding for the existing Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC) Program.
EPIC is an early intervention services program that works proactively with landlords and provides rehousing assistance and access to financial support in order to help prevent homelessness.
The base budget for EPIC is $920,000, funded through provincial and federal grant money. Additional funding of $2.156 million from the city would have enabled an increase in the number of households served by the program to 800 in 2020 from 433 in 2019, preventing homelessness for more than 2,500 people in all, annually, according to city
budget notes. “The EPIC program would have most certainly helped Brad,” said his sister, Leigh Chapman. “He had housing on and off over the years, but regularly lost his housing with periods of incarceration and then had to start from scratch again each and every time he was subsequently released from custody.”
Chapman died before the program was in place.
“If council’s unable to find the funding to implement this, it will be a moral failing on our part,” said Coun. Gord Perks (Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park).
Coun. Mike Layton (Ward 11 University-Rosedale), said he hopes the extra funding for EPIC will get added to the budget during deliberations.
“It’s not a lot of money and to be honest, this is the type of thing that we know has an impact, and if we’re going to take seriously our obligations to fight homelessness, to ensure there’s space in our shelters and o, generally speaking, give services to people that are in need of them, then this is the type of program we should be expanding,” Layton said.
City staff pointed out that considerable investments are being made within the SSHA budget in 2020 to address other concerns raised by the inquest into the death of Chapman and a similar inquest into the death of Grant Faulkner, a homeless man who died in a shack fire in 2015.
Staff have recommended adding $805,000 in funding for eight additional street outreach workers and an additional $100,000 in community grant funding. Also among the unfunded programs in the 2020 budget is $1.32 million in support for retailers in financial distress, and $1 million in strategic investments for culture and the Year of Public Art. Last fall, Mayor John Tory proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Public Art, a yearlong celebration of art and community. Coun. Michael Thompson (Ward 21 Scarborough Centre), said both items could end up being funded, depending on how the budget process goes. “We change these things when they get to council and deals are made to make sure resources are available, based on the input that we have,” said Thompson, adding that investments in culture and art create economic ripples throughout the city.
The 2020 budget for the city also identifies $27 million in efficiencies, obtained without making cuts to programs and services.
“Probably the best example, that people might be able to relate to, is running your dishwasher or laundry at night. You’re still able to do it, but you’re doing it at an off-peak time. You’re finding a way of delivering it at a cheaper cost,” said Stephen Conforti, the city’s executive director of financial planning.
According to the city, those efficiencies include nearly $15 million from the TTC’s budget, more than $5 million from Toronto Public Health, about $2.5 million from Children’s Services and $1.2 million for IT.
Children’s Services was able to downsize by eight positions through attrition and by moving some simple services online.
The TTC was able to realize efficiencies as a result of using hybrid electric buses which consume less fuel and sourcing a new diesel supply contract with better pricing, among other things.
Efficiencies at Toronto Public Health were realized as a result of the new Ontario Seniors Dental Care program.
BUDGET from GT1