To:
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Agenda Section:
Division:
Department:
Matters for Consideration
Social and Community Services
Children and Community Services
Item Number:
AHA - 17-015
Meeting Date:
April 21, 2017
Subject:
Home For Good Program Guidelines, Expression of Interest Overview and
Next Steps
Recommendation
That Item AHA 17-015, dated April 21, 2017, regarding the Provincial Home For Good
funding, Program Guidelines, Expression of Interest, and next steps, be received.
Executive Summary
In the latter part of 2015, the Province of Ontario announced its commitment to ending chronic
homelessness by 2025. This commitment was recently reaffirmed when new provincial funding
was announced to support housing assistance and support services across the province (Schedule
1). Entitled Home For Good (HFG), this new funding initiative:
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
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Invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Consolidated Municipal Service Managers
(CMSMs) and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs);
Provides approximately $25 million in 2017-2018, and $50 million in 2018-2019, for housing
assistance and supports across the province; and
Commits to funding approximately 400 new capital units in each of the two years.
To apply for funding through HFG, the County is required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
to the Ministry of Housing (MHO), on or before May 19, 2017. Only one application per Service
Manager may be submitted, however, the EOI may include both operational funding and single or
multi-site capital funding projects. EOI submissions will be evaluated by the Province during the
period May through July, 2017. The Province will notify successful CMSMs and DSSABs across
August and September, with funding flow to Service Managers beginning October 2017.
With respect to this initial round of HFG funding, successful CMSMs and DSSABs will continue to
receive operating dollars, beyond the two year period, in order to support longer term project
April 21, 2017
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 17-015
Page 2
viability. That said, the continued operating funding will be subject to annual provincial budget
approvals and Service Manager fulfillment of accountability requirements.
Staff has identified two prospective projects that could be potentially resourced through the Home
For Good provincial initiative. The first of the two projects, a suggested motel conversion pilot,
finds its origin in recent discussions from the Affordable Housing Innovations Forum (Item AHA 17012, April 21, 2017). The second project would build upon an existent homelessness hub model
for service delivery that includes longer term plans for provision of transitional and affordable
housing.
Background/Analysis/Options
Home for Good (HFG) objectives align with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and
Homelessness Prevention Strategy and the Ontario Supportive Housing Policy Framework,
respectively. More specifically, this funding targets improved outcomes for the same priority client
populations as those articulated within the provincial Community Homelessness Prevention
Initiative (CHPI) Guidelines:
 Chronic Homelessness;
 Youth Homelessness;
 Indigenous Homelessness; and
 Homelessness following transitions from provincially-funded institutes and service systems
such as hospitals and prisons.
On March 30, 2017, staff participated in a Ministry of Housing (MHO) Webinar which detailed HFG
relative to i) key program objectives; ii) eligibility for operating and capital funding; iii) application
processes/timelines; and iv) service agreements and accountability requirements. Since this
webinar, and recognizing the significance of this funding opportunity, staff has initiated planning
and preparatory discussions regarding a proposed submission and potential next steps in moving
an Expression of Interest (EOI) forward.
Project Design
The Province is open to varying project concepts. Proposed initiatives may include housing
assistance and support services, in conjunction with new capital units for targeted client groups.
Evidence from Simcoe County’s 20,000 Homes Campaign, in conjunction with additional evidence
from the County’s emergency shelter housing program, continues to identify the need to better
target and support individuals experiencing chronic and longer-term episodic homelessness. This
target population comprises other priority sub populations including Indigenous persons and/or
those transitioning from public institutions.
Expressions of Interest
A County of Simcoe EOI submission would utilize local evidence as the basis for a proposed
approach to addressing system priorities and improving client access to housing supports. It
would include a request for both operating and capital funding, would reflect diverse community
partnerships, and would convey commitment to improved service coordination and housing
access. Should the County’s EOI be approved by the Province, additional items would be brought
to County Council providing greater details, and requesting authorization to move forward with next
steps.
April 21, 2017
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 17-015
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An Expression of Interest (EOI) provides the opportunity for Service Managers to describe a
proposed project and to speak to how the project:
 Focuses on at least two of the four provincial priority target areas and reflects communitydriven solutions for preventing and/or transitioning people out of chronic homelessness
 Advances Ontario’s long term goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2025
 Responds to the supportive housing needs associated with the targeted populations
 Builds on existing and/or new system services/programs
 Demonstrates collaboration with system partners and broader stakeholders
 Reflects readiness and capacity to deliver both operating and capital project components
 Aligns with Our 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
These project indicators would be captured through six EOI components including i) overview; ii)
business case; iii) organizational capacity/risk management; iv) partnerships and collaboration; v)
project delivery plan and budget; and vi) capital project details.
Home For Good (HFG) Project Planning Next Steps: Operating
The County of Simcoe’s 2017-18 Community Homelessness Prevention Plan (CHPI) Investment
Plan (IP) identifies the critical importance of Housing First (HF) for Simcoe County (CCW 17-039;
March 14, 2017). The IP additionally reflects extensive community engagement and planning
regarding a HF program design and strategies for implementation. Planning to date has been
undertaken with a range of key community stakeholders including the Simcoe County Alliance to
End Homelessness (SCATEH), social justice organizations, Local Health Integrated Network
(LHIN) allied service providers, corrections, youth serving organizations, and homelessness
service providers.
Over the last year, and reflective of locally driven solutions, staff has developed a business case
for a comprehensive, regionalized HF model, premised on improving homelessness system
coordination that: i) better identifies recipients who fall within one or more of the four provincial
homelessness priority areas; ii) better facilitates and brokers necessary referrals; and iii) provides
direct housing and ongoing support programming as appropriate. This HF program reflects a
regionalized strategy that builds upon ongoing community partnerships and collaborations. The
proposed HF model demonstrates commitment to addressing the housing and support needs of
individuals experiencing chronic and high acuity homelessness.
The proposed HF model directly aligns with provincial HFG funding guidelines and articulated
priorities. More specifically, eligible activities under the HFG operating component include:
 Rent supplements (paid directly to the landlord), or housing allowances (paid directly to the
recipient);
 First and last month’s rent, as well as regular monthly rent; and
 Housing assistance and support services including case management support service
plans, harm reduction, basic needs, landlord relations, life skills training, counselling and
personal support, all provided through a variety of external community agencies and
housing provider partnerships.
HFG Program Guidelines encourage applicants to target varied housing models including
transitional and dedicated supportive housing programs. Operating funding may be used on its
own or in conjunction with funded capital projects. For proposed capital projects, the EOI must
demonstrate an integrated approach, one that links housing access and support services to any
new units created.
April 21, 2017
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 17-015
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Home For Good (HFG) Project Planning Next Steps: Capital
Staff identified two priority projects for the capital component of an Expression of Interest (EOI)
submission which address the two primary areas that experience critical mass of homelessness,
the Cities of Barrie and Orillia. Both Cities experience homelessness clustering due to persons
who migrate to these urban settings. The priority projects include a motel conversion project within
the City of Barrie focused on transitional and supportive housing units. The second proposed
capital project also speaks to transitional and supportive housing, building upon a hub model for
service delivery currently operating in the City of Orillia. With respect to both projects, staff is
currently exploring their respective business cases to further determine project viability, in
collaboration with local stakeholders such as non-profit organizations. If either project should be
determined non-viable, the EOI would be written in such a way as to allow staff to explore other
similar projects within each of the two Cities.
Eligible activities under the HFG capital component include:
 New construction, including additions and extensions;
 Acquisitions and/or rehabilitation of existing residential buildings to maintain or increase the
affordable rental housing stock; or
 Conversion of non-residential buildings or units to purpose-built rental building/units.
Approved capital projects must remain affordable for a minimum period of twenty years.
Affordability is defined as having project rents at or below 80% of the Canadian Mortgage Housing
Corporation (CMHC) Average Market Rent (AMR), at the time of occupancy. These are elements
that have been required under previous rounds of federal-provincial affordable housing funding
programs.
No up-front construction financing will be provided for capital projects. The County may, under the
capital component, consider construction financing. Approved capital funding would be advanced
by the Province to Service Managers on a quarterly basis, over a twenty year period, beginning
with the first required payment for long-term financing. Payments would then be forwarded to
proponents on a monthly basis by the Service Manager, and would be used to help service the
proponent’s monthly principal and interest payments. Under recent rounds of capital programs, the
funding was flowed during the construction phase, based on project milestones. Since this is not
the case under HFG, proponents will have to secure construction financing from other sources.
There may be a role for the County under the capital component to consider provision of
construction financing to a proponent should the Province approve the HFG capital funds.
Project Evaluation
Based on HFG program guidelines, it is anticipated that the County would be required to undertake
an evaluation component. Staff is currently participating on Ministry of Housing (MHO) working
groups to help inform a comprehensive housing and homelessness data strategy intended to:
 identify and facilitate the collection of outcome-based data to better inform program designs
 enable strategic partnerships to continuously innovate
This work will help to better inform best practice guidelines that align with the provincial Supportive
Housing Policy Framework. This framework essentially underpins HFG guidelines and
requirements for EOI.
Service Manager Liability
As with previous federal/provincial programs, the Service Manager is required to indemnify the
Province for funding losses and the Service Manager must assume full responsibility and liability
April 21, 2017
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 17-015
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for funding partner organizations with Home For Good (HFG) funds. Therefore, if any projects are
selected by the Province as a result of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, the County will
need to be satisfied regarding project viability before any Transfer Payment Agreements and/or
Contribution Agreements are signed with third parties.
Financial and Resource Implications
Operating funding through HFG is approximately $25 million for 2017-18 and $50 million for 201819. In addition, capital funding will be available to develop approximately 400 new capital units
(funded at a maximum of $150,000 per unit) in each of the first two program years.
Up to 10% of the funding may be used to cover administration of operating expenditures and an
additional 5% may be allocated to capital administration costs.
In-year, unutilized funds would be recovered by the Province and cannot be carried over to the
next fiscal year.
With respect to this initial round of HFG funding, successful Consolidated Municipal Service
Managers (CMSMs) and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) will continue to
receive operating dollars, beyond the two year period, in order to support longer term project
viability. That said, the continued operating funding will be subject to annual provincial budget
approvals and service manager fulfillment of accountability requirements.
Under recent rounds of capital programs, the funding was flowed during the construction phase,
based on project milestones. Since this is not the case under HFG, proponents will have to secure
construction financing from other sources. There may be a role for the County to consider
provision of construction financing to a proponent should the Province approve the HFG capital
funds.
Relationship to Corporate Strategic Plan
Strengthen Social, Health and Educational Opportunities: Establish partnerships to identify
opportunities for strengthened Human Services and Education to support improved health and
well-being of our residents.
Growth Related Service Delivery: Create and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to
support communities through the delivery of sustainable services.
Specifically, the Social and Community Services strategic initiative:
 Develop and implement a Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy
This Item is consistent with Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Prevention Strategy.
April 21, 2017
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - AHA 17-015
Page 6
Reference Documents
 AHA 17-008 (February 17, 2017) Provincial Housing and Homelessness Data Forum
 CCW 17-039 (March 14, 2017) The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative
Investment Plan 2017-18
 AHA 16-036 (October 21, 2016) Housing First Program Framework
 AHA 16-023 (May 20, 2016) Community Profiles: Informing Next Steps in Ending Chronic
Homelessness
 AHA 16-021 (May 20, 2016) Simcoe County 20,000 Homes Campaign Registry Week
 AHA 16-006 (January 22, 2016) Summary of the Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness
 Ontario Supportive Housing Policy Framework, March 2017,
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page13793.aspx
 Housing Our Future: Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Prevention Strategy
Attachments
Schedule 1 – ADM Letter
Schedule 1 - ADM
Letter.pdf
Schedule 2 – Home For Good Expression of Interest
Schedule 2 - Home
For Good Expression of Interest.pdf
Prepared By: Doriano Calvano, Manager, Social Policy and Planning
John Connell, Manager, Implementation Manager, Social Housing
Approvals:
Jan Janssen, Director, Children and Community Services
Arfona Zwiers, Director, Social Housing
Greg Bishop, General Manager, Social and Community
Services
Trevor Wilcox, General Manager, Corporate Performance
Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
Date
April 10, 2017
April 10, 2017
April 11, 2017
April 12, 2017
April 12, 2017