Strategic Housing and Homelessness Committee terms of reference

Terms of reference

Mandate

To advise on the implementation of the 5 strategies of the Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan (PHHP) and to provide strategic and public policy oversight for housing and homelessness, including recommendations to Council on strategic matters pertaining to the Service Manager, long-term affordable housing development plans and the Peel Housing Corporation.

The 5 strategies within the PHHP include:

1. Transform service access
   Transform the delivery of programming through the creation of a new service model to improve access to subsidized housing, prevent homelessness, divert people from shelters and match people with the right service.
   
2. Build more affordable housing
   Move forward with a more strategic and planned approach to affordable housing development, guided by targets and a rigorous assessment of need.
3. Provide incentives to build affordable housing
   Encourage the market to produce purpose-built rental and affordable home ownership through a targeted program of tools and incentives.
4. Optimize existing stock
   Maintain existing social and affordable housing stock and leverage existing private stock to create more and varied affordable housing options.
5. Increase supportive housing
   Expand the supply of supportive housing and supports provided to existing tenants.

Membership

The Committee is comprised of 7 members of Peel Regional Council. The Regional Chair will be an ex-officio member. There will be 1 Regional Councillor representing each local municipality and the Regional Councillors who hold the position of Chair and Vice-Chair of Human Services and a member of the Planning and Growth Management Committee as appointed by Regional Council.

Roles and responsibilities of members

The Committee will advise on the implementation of the PHHP and provide strategic and public policy oversight on issues such as but not limited to:

• The endorsement of a Housing Master Plan (10-Year Housing Development Plan)
• Housing land-use planning and policy matters in collaboration with the Planning and Growth Management Committee;
• Policy decisions related to incentives for affordable middle income housing development;
• Re-design of service models to improve client outcomes, prevent homelessness and enhance access to affordable housing;
• The transition to a Housing First model; and,
• A social housing modernization framework to redefine how the Service Manager works with housing providers.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The Committee will elect from among its members a Chair and Vice-Chair, and this election shall be held at the first meeting of the Committee.

The Vice-Chair may act in the capacity of Chair and exercise all the rights, powers and authorities of the Chair when the Chair is absent through illness or otherwise, or is absent from the office in the course of his or her duties, or on vacation or on an approved leave.

Term of appointment

Members will serve for a term of up to four years, coinciding with the term of Regional Council and may serve consecutive Council terms, subject to Regional Council approval.

The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Human Services section shall serve for a period of 24 months pursuant to the Procedure By-law. The second term of the Chair and Vice Chair for Human Services shall serve for the remainder of the term of Council.

Quorum

Quorum will consist of the majority of the membership.

Reporting function

The Committee will report to Regional Council and will make recommendations to Council on strategic matters pertaining to the Service Manager, the Affordable Housing Office and Peel Housing Corporation. The minutes of each Committee meeting will be placed on the next available Regional Council Agenda for approval.

Frequency of meetings

The Committee will be established to meet five (5) times per year. The first meeting of every year is intended to set the annual work plan. Meetings may also be held at the call of the Chair.

Other orientation or education sessions, may be provided as suggested by staff or upon request from the Committee to support the annual work plan.

Meeting structure

The Committee meeting structure will follow the same rules as laid out in the Procedure By-law.

In camera

The Committee reserves the right to go In Camera for matters that meet the requirements as outlined in the Procedure By-law.

Staff resources

The Housing Services Division, in partnership with the Affordable Housing Office, Peel Housing Corporation and the Integrated Planning Division, will support the Strategic Housing and Homelessness Committee as it maintains and implements the annual work plan.

The Committee will be supported by the Regional Clerk, pursuant to the Procedure By-law.