Minutes of Homelessness Task Force

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Participation - Homelessness Task Force

The Corporation of the Town of Orangeville

(Chair and Secretary at Town Hall - 87 Broadway)

Orangeville, Ontario

Members Present:

• Councillor Sherwood
• Councillor Andrews
• R. Alvarez
• E. Dunn
• T. Grabb
• E. Goodyear
• T. Carter

Staff Present:

• T. MacDonald, Deputy Clerk
• T. Barry, Executive Assistant, Community Services
• H. Savage, General Manager, Community Services

---

1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

2.

Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest

None

3.

Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

None

4.

Presentations

4.1

Summary of previous term of committee and recommendations presented to previous Council

Former Mayor Brown implemented the Men's Shelter Committee during previous Council.  T. Carter was fundamental in driving this initiative forward.  The committee was advised of what processes were in place for men and the homeless in general, but realized these processes were perhaps not being followed. The Town of Orangeville cannot have housing as housing falls under the County of Dufferin. the intent of the municipal level committee is to advocate for the residents. 

The previous committee did come up with some recommendations including opening a crisis care centre and potentially using the old fire hall for a crisis care centre (safe beds).  First suggestion to start with a warming centre and find solutions for after hours. University of Guelph did a study for the Town to assist but it was difficult to get any data due to confidentiality issues. Turned to an Out of the Cold program which would always be open regardless of temperature. 

History and further documentation will be provided to committee members prior to the next meeting (University of Guelph report, presentation made to Council from previous committee, environmental scan and workplan) (T. Barry to circulate). 

The committee requires an Inventory of what is available in the Town for those individuals whom require the services.

4.2

Introduction of Committee Members

Introduction of committee members.

5.

Items for Discussion and Reports

5.1

Election of Chair

• 2023-001
  Moved By T. Carter

  That the committee nominate J. Andrews as Chair of the Homelessness Task Force.

  Carried

5.2

Election of Vice Chair

• 2023-002
  Moved By Councillor Sherwood

  That the committee nominates E. Goodyear as the Vice Chair of the Homelessness Task Force.

  Carried

5.3

Committee Training

A presentation was made by T. MacDonald explaining the role of a committee member.  This committee is to advise Council on recommendations, and Council is the decision making body.

At the meeting prior to the summer break, the committee should be discussing the budget for 2024 - in this case if the committee requires funds.  In October 2023 the committee should present its workplan and annual report.  Council encourages the Chair or Vice Chair to attend as a delegation at the October 2023 Council meeting to present these documents.

With respect to the conduct of members, the Chair and Vice Chair's biggest role is to make sure committee members are respectful to not only members but to delegates.  Members are here to advance initiatives and have conversations around the mandate.

Prior to any meeting, a committee member must disclose any pecuniary interests.  The committee member will review the agenda prior to the meeting to see if any pecuniary interests are present at which time the member must disclose and notify the secretary.

Anyone who would like to speak at the meeting must register as a formal delegate.

Committee cannot decide quorum on its own and needs to be a recommendation to Council. Clerks will reach out to Chair and Vice Chair about how quorum is working and the clerks will take a report to Council in the Fall with recommendations on quorum.

Everyone gets one vote except staff.  The Subject Matter Expert for this committee is H. Savage.

Committee members must return the Declaration of Office/Consent Form/Photo forms by May 1, 2023.

If a committee member has an agenda item, please forward these items to T. Barry one week prior to the release date of the agenda.  The release date for the agenda is the Friday before the scheduled meeting.

With respect to confidentiality, the Town will not provide any email addresses of the committee members and email addresses will only be used for business.

 

5.4

Committee Meeting Dates and Times

Third Wednesday of each month (May 17 and June 21 before break) at 7:00 pm

5.5

Terms of Reference/Workplan

Deferred to next meeting.

5.6

Out of the Cold Program and partnership with Town of Orangeville

On April 17, 2023 Council passed a report to enter into an agreement between Town of Orangeville and Dufferin Youth Shelter ("Choices") which governs the services offered by Choices for March and April for the Out of the Cold program with an opportunity to extend for three additional years.  Staff will meet with the County and Dufferin Youth Shelter to determine the plan for shelter beds over the next three years, at which point Staff will  return to Council to request the anticipated funding amount. 

Background:  The initial request for assistance started off in a different direction with initially a "shed" being offered; however this would not have sufficed for what was required.

A new idea developed in a different space at 59 Townline by renovating the back of the property (building). The space is secured as it is a self-contained area separate from the front of the building (locked between the two spaces).  Shower/laundry/food provided and would individuals would have to leave by 8:30 a.m.  Choices was full every night with 5 beds and 2 staff.  There were more women than men at the shelter.  Operated for 5 weeks and full every night.

There are many opportunities to educate the community - Mayor will be hosting Town Halls for general public and Chair Andrews will suggest that the Chair and Vice Chair educate the community at the second Town Hall.  Chair Andrews also suggests turning to local media to spread awareness.  Chair can invite the media to our committee meetings so that everyone can be made aware.  Chair Andrews to speak to clerk to ensure this would be acceptable.

Note: Chair Andrews to speak to Clerk to seek advice on the committee's participation in the Mayor's Town Hall meetings.

5.7

Other Business

5.7.1

Housing Projects in Orangeville

As part of the new fire station development our existing fire station is close to end of life. SHIP and Habitat for Humanity are both involved in affordable housing and are both interested in land/buildings in Orangeville. The affordable housing development from SHIP on First Street (near the mall) will be opening either December 2023 or January 2024. Council is providing representation (which means no financial support) and have already requested that a sidewalk from Orangeville Mall to the new housing unit be constructed to allow easy access for the residents at the housing unit to get to the mall. There will be 22 units and it is to assist homelessness into homes. Chair Andrews will have an update for our next meeting on this housing project.

Habitat for Humanity has also approached the Town to find a place to build affordable housing.  Fire Station would be convenient for food bank, grocery store, and bus. 

Discussion in principal at looking at crisis care facility at the fire station on Dawson once vacated.  The fire station is a good location as it will be close to the new transit hub, and walking distance to the food bank, grocery store and other amenities.  Chair Andrews to start the dialogue again with the Director of Community Outreach for SHIP to see where they are with the crisis care facility.  

5.7.2

Future Guest Speakers

Opportunities to bring stakeholders to the meeting and to provide some concrete data. 

Guest list to be established at next meeting after review of previous material.

5.7.3

Review of Quorum Requirements

Currently, the Town’s Procedural By-law states that “a physical quorum (a majority of the members) at a meeting of Council or committee shall be achieved at the commencement of the meeting and maintained throughout the meeting.” With the goals of better accommodating member preferences and needs, having higher likelihood of achieving quorum, and modernizing the Town’s approach to meeting formats and the technology available to us,  a motion could be made at the first meeting:

• 2023-003
  Moved By Councillor Sherwood

  That Council direct appropriate staff to amend the Procedural By-law regarding committee quorum to “a quorum (a majority of the members) at a meeting of Council or committee shall be achieved at the commencement of the meeting and maintained throughout the meeting” and that references to physical presence be removed.

  Carried

6.

Correspondence

7.

New Business

Chair Andrews and D. Sherwood will be attending the AMO in Toronto on May 3 and 4.  If there are any discussions that can be shared virtually, then Chair Andrews and D. Sherwood  will share this information. 

Chair Andrews and D. Sherwood also have an opportunity at the August AMO to speak to any Ministers.  At the next committee meeting decide which items are priority that the Town representatives can speak to the select ministers about.

8.

Date of Next Meeting

May 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm

9.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.