COUNTY OF SIMCOE
To:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Section:
Matters for Consideration
Item Number:
AHA 15-004
Meeting Date:
March 6, 2015
Subject:
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Communication Tools
Recommendation:
THAT Item AHA 15-004 regarding Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Communication Tools, be
received for information.
Executive Summary:
Item AHA 15-004 provides an update on the development of a communication plan that included a
municipality specific presentation to be delivered by Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHA)
members along with Housing staff to share information on the development of the implementation plan
and how the targets for each municipality may be achieved. In addition, this Item includes sample tools
that could be used to assist members of the AHA in facilitating discussion with key community
stakeholders; increasing two-way communication and encouraging participation in the implementation
of Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Background/Analysis/Options:
On October 14, 2014, County Council approved that a communication plan be developed that would
include a municipality specific presentation to be offered to all member municipalities and the Cities of
Barrie and Orillia with respect to the County’s 10-year Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Prevention Strategy. The intent of the deputations is to create a platform for the AHA and County staff,
to engage with municipal councils, share information on how the targets for each municipality may be
achieved, and provide municipal councils with an opportunity to ask questions and gain a more fulsome
understanding of the relevance of the Strategy to the local area.
Staff has developed a sample presentation framework for both an urban and rural municipality. A
sample presentation has been developed for the City of Barrie, attached as Schedule 1, and the
Township of Severn, attached as Schedule 2.
March 6, 2015
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 15-004
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As outlined within the terms of reference for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHA),
Members of the AHA are required to liaise with the municipalities and/or sectors they represent and
report external findings back to the AHA. Responsibilities further include, making recommendations to
County Council that are reflective of the different needs in different communities, and promoting
awareness about the importance and benefits of affordable housing, and being proactive in addressing
‘not in my back yard’ (NIMBY) attitudes.
Previous meetings of the AHA have included discussions on the need for communication strategies and
tools to assist AHA members in identifying key stakeholders within the community, sharing information
and updates, and facilitating dialogue both internally and externally. Staff first responded by developing
a reference document to assist members in identifying key community stakeholders by sector or region,
Item AHA 14-012 (October 9, 2014).
To further assist AHA members in communication, information collection, and partnership building
when networking with municipal, and sector-based contacts, Item AHA 15-004 proposes the following
communication tools:
Fact Sheets: Fact sheets are a useful tool for emphasizing key points through the use of appealing
graphics, simple layouts, and easy-to-read presentations of data. AHA members may find this tool
helpful in assisting them when speaking within their organizations or with key community partners;
especially on topics that include technical data and statistics related to local housing. Additionally, fact
sheets related to Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
could be developed to address frequently asked questions, provide information on related housing
services and programs, provide snapshots of the unique needs of each community, and further
promote the importance of affordable housing.
Two samples of fact sheets have been provided.
Sample 1: A sample infographic identifying core housing need for member municipalities in the region
of North Simcoe, attached as Schedule 3, is an example of a visual communication that can summarize
and relay data and information to be shared with key stakeholders in the Town of Midland, Town of
Penetanguishene, Township of Tay, and Township of Tiny. Fact sheets such as this would be produced
for all of the regions represented including the Cities of Barrie and Orillia, North, East, South, and West
Simcoe.
Sample 2: A draft Ontario Municipal Planning Tools and Financial Incentives guide, attached as
Schedule 4, could be shared with our municipal partners to provide additional information on planning
approaches and financial incentives that might assist municipal planners in implementing Our
Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy. County staff will be
attending an upcoming information session that will help to further inform this attached draft.
Presentation Slides: PowerPoint presentation slides providing an overview of the Strategy, along with
updates from the AHA and information regarding next steps, could be created by staff to assist AHA
members in presenting information within their organization and to key community stakeholders. These
slides may be updated as required to ensure that information being presented is accurate and timely.
Presentations like this have been created in the past for events, including National Housing Day and
Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness forums.
Facilitation Tools: Facilitation tools may be developed to assist AHA members in increasing two-way
communication. Examples of facilitation tools might include ‘conversation starter’ cards that could be
March 6, 2015
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 15-004
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handed out during presentations to spark discussions about the role of key community partners in
implementation, ideas for innovative partnerships, methods for sharing data and reporting
accomplishments in alignment with the Strategy. Another example may include a ‘call to action’ list that
requires the group to compile a list of five ways they may be able to assist through their work or their
organization.
Financial and Resource Implications:
There is no financial impact with respect to this Item at this time.
Relationship to Corporate Strategies:
Item AHA 15-004 is directly related to Council’s 2013 Strategic Direction as follows:
Strengthened Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify
opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and wellbeing of our residents.
Item AHA 15-004 is also consistent with Our Community Ten Year Affordable Housing and
Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Reference Documents:
Item AHA 14-012 (October 9, 2014)
Attachments:
Schedule 1: Sample Municipal Deputation Presentation- Urban (City of Barrie)
Schedule 1
Schedule 2: Sample Municipal Deputation Presentation-Rural (Township of Severn)
Schedule 2
March 6, 2015
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee AHA 15-004
Schedule 3: Sample Infographic
Schedule 3
Schedule 4: Sample Ontario Municipal Planning Tools and Financial Incentives Guide
Schedule 4
Prepared By: Brittany Doner-Gilroy, Project Consultant, Social and Community Services
Approvals:
Date
Cathy Kytayko, Director, Social Housing
Terry Talon, General Manager, Social and Community Services
Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance
Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
February 2, 2015
February 2, 2015
February 26, 2015
February 27, 2015
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