Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan action updates
Provides details on the status of the plan’s actions to prevent homelessness and make affordable housing available to all Peel residents.
Peel's Housing and Homelessness Plan includes 35 actions organized under 5 pillars, of which 21 are completed and 9 are currently in progress. It’s an innovative, smart, forward-thinking approach to address complex housing issues. It guides our actions, ensuring every step we take is intentional and strategically planned.
The following are action updates as of December 31, 2023.
Other information
Improving how we deliver our services, so more of our clients receive the supports they needs, faster.
Action 1.1
Begin implementation of an Action Plan Toward Ending Youth Homelessness pending Regional Council approval on March 29, 2018.
Status: In progress
Description
Many of the actions under the Action Plan Toward Ending Youth Homelessness are in progress or complete.
In 2023, significant progress was made towards the creation of the new youth shelter in Brampton and transitional housing units for youth.
Youth that are experiencing homelessness are a priority group under Peel Region’s coordinated access process to help ensure a collaborative response from service providers with the aim of assisting youth exit homelessness as quickly as possible.
Action 1.6
Build emergency shelter and transitional beds for families, youth and victims of human trafficking to meet the targets beginning with the replacement of the temporary 40 bed Regional Youth Shelter in Brampton.
Status: In progress
Description
The Peel Family Shelter that is currently under renovation will provide 108 beds for families experiencing homelessness. The Peel Family Shelter that is currently under renovation will provide 108 beds for families experiencing homelessness. This project is scheduled for completion and occupancy by families in Q1 2024.
The Brampton Youth Shelter is also in the design phase and will provide 80 beds for youth experiencing homelessness. This project is in the planning and design phases and scheduled to be complete and ready for occupancy before the end of 2028.
In addition, Peel Region used Federal Rapid Housing Initiative funds to acquire and repurpose a 2-storey hotel at 5 Rutherford Road, Brampton to create 50 new affordable rental units and 17 transitional housing units for youth ages 16 to 24. Construction began in April 2022 with anticipated completion in 2024.
Preliminary feasibility studies have been completed to assess the redevelopment potential of the Wilkinson Road Men's Shelter site in Brampton. A request for capital funding was approved through the 2023 Budget.
Action 1.8
Redesign and implement a new model for clients accessing housing and homelessness services to better help clients avoid homelessness, achieve stable housing, or increased income.
Status: In progress
Description
Development and implementation of the new Client Pathway continues, in 2023 we launched a new Self-serve intake assessment. This new model helped clear a backlog of client requests and improve service delivery times all while allowing us to better understand clients' needs - a core principle of our commitment to Transform Service
We've modernized our approach to client consent; shortening the process for clients and staff, while empowering clients to learn more about consent and privacy practices.
We launched needs-based portable subsidy for the homeless, offering subsidy to those on our by-name list and taking people out of homelessness into permanent affordable housing.
Building more community rental housing on land that is owned by the Peel Region and Peel Housing Corporation, while also building the capacity of the non-profit sector to build more. Learn more about our projects under development.
Action 2.6
Identify and build the capacity of 2 or 3 non-profit housing providers to become adept in the development of new affordable rental housing for households with low incomes in Peel.
Status: In progress
Description
In 2023, work with Indwell Community Homes and Pathway Non-Profit Housing continued with three new housing projects under development. Funding from the province and federal governments was secured, in addition to regional funding, to create a total of 96 new community and supportive housing units in Peel.
Using Regional financial and planning policies, processes, and tools to incent the market to create more affordable housing.
Action 3.3
Work with local municipalities to develop Official Plan policies that support the development of affordable rental and a range and mix of housing types.
Status: In Progress
Description
The Region of Peel Official Plan and local official plan policies support a range and mix of housing types, including affordable rental. This includes Inclusionary Zoning, which requires affordable housing units within Major Transit Station Areas, rental protection policies, permitting additional residential units as of right, and encouraging innovating housing types.
Bill 185, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, received Royal Assent on June 6, 2024 and implements changes to the Planning Act first introduced through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 that remove planning policy and approval responsibilities from several upper-tier municipalities, including Peel Region, as of July 1, 2024. As a result, on this date, the Region of Peel Official Plan will become a plan of the local municipalities, and local municipalities will be required to implement policies in the Plan.
Action 3.4
Work with local municipalities to review and revise zoning by-laws to align with strategic growth areas, and other areas identified for intensification.
Status: In Progress
Description
In 2023, all three local municipalities in Peel introduced zoning by-law amendments in strategic growth areas to enable housing density intensification. Peel staff have provided comments on zoning by-laws to address Regional interests such as infrastructure. Implementation of this action will be evaluated to consider impacts from Bill 185, the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, that removes planning responsibilities from Peel on July 1, 2024 and transfers them to local municipalities and the Province.
Action 3.6
Develop a Region-wide approach to securing land for affordable housing development including exploring a policy to give priority to affordable housing development in the disposition of surplus land and land banking.
Status: Paused
Description
Staff have completed a preliminary jurisdictional scan about land banking as an approach to create affordable housing. This work has been paused due to other priorities.
Action 3.7
Collaborate with local municipalities and other stakeholders on administration of affordable housing units secured through IZ to support long term affordability.
Status: In Progress
Description
In 2021, a feasibility study of Inclusionary Zoning policies analyzed potential impacts of an IZ by-law on the housing market in 15 areas in Peel. The study identified that IZ is feasible in parts of Peel and is best implemented through transition and phasing, that alternative approaches are needed where markets are not strong, and that IZ is not as viable in rental developments. The City of Mississauga has IZ policies and zoning provisions that took effect on January 1, 2023. The City of Brampton and Town of Caledon have official plan policies that are supportive of IZ and are developing an IZ policy framework.
Work commenced with local municipal staff to determine if an Inclusionary Zoning Program to administer affordable units at the regional level was feasible. This work was paused due to changes that introduced a new market-based definition of affordability as part of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. In December 2023, through Bill 134, the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, 2023, the Province revised the definition of affordability to incorporate income-based factors and also included the definition in the proposed Provincial Planning Statement, 2024. Peel staff are working with local municipalities to explore ways to implement IZ and administer units secured through IZ.
Maintaining existing subsidized and affordable rental stock and using existing homes in new ways to provide more or different types of affordable housing options.
Action 4.1
By summer 2018, deliver information to Regional Council regarding State of Good Repair (SoGR) for the social housing system.
Status: In progress
Description
A comprehensive review and study focused on the State of Good Repair for all regionally owned housing and emergency shelters, community housing providers and Peel Housing Corporation assets was completed in 2023. Staff took a report to Peel Region Council on June 22, 2023 that presented the findings of the review. As of the end of 2023, State of Good Repair work had continued as result of the cancellation of the dissolution of the Region. Staff will present further findings and recommendations to Peel Region Council in 2024.
Action 4.4
Collaborate with non-profit housing providers and cooperatives as operating agreements and mortgages expire to develop a new Partnership Framework and agreements to replace existing Operating Agreements.
Status: In progress
Description
In 2023, staff continued work on a new regulatory framework for community housing operating agreements. An introductory report was presented to Peel Region Council on July 6, 2023, to explain the potential impacts of the end of community housing mortgages on the affordable housing system in Peel. Staff will return to Council in 2024 with a fulsome end of mortgage strategy for approval.
Action 4.5
Examine the current criteria for Peel Renovates and explore options to expand the program to fund private landlords to improve safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and creation of second units.
Status: Not started
Action 4.6
Work with local municipalities to adopt Official Plan policies and zoning changes to support a mix of housing types (co-housing, home-sharing, etc.)
Status: In progress
Description
Regional staff have continued to work with the local municipalities on development of secondary plans and official plan updates to ensure language related to a range and mix of housing including affordable housing is included.
Increasing housing with supports for our community’s most vulnerable.
Action 5.2
Work with supportive housing providers and local municipalities to identify and address barriers to the development of supportive housing.
Status: Not started
Action 5.3
Work collaboratively with provincial ministries and the new Ontario Health Teams to develop a plan to meet the supportive housing targets in the Housing Master Plan and for operational funding for future supportive housing developments.
Status: Not started
Action 5.4
Work with social housing providers, tenants, and support agencies to develop a framework to better connect tenants with support services.
Status: In progress
Description
The implementation of the new Client Pathway will include case management standards, that are right sized, needs based and will assist clients to get and keep housing.
A new support framework was initiated at a Peel Housing Corporation site in Mississauga that provides housing for persons previously experiencing homelessness. On-site tenant supports in the building, liaise with tenants, case managers, and bring in community partners to provide education to tenants to help promote successful tenancies.
A request for funding to provide dedicated wrap-around support services to clients and existing tenants of the community housing system will be included in the 2024 budget process.
In late 2023, staff launched the new Community Agency Subsidy Program which provides subsidies directly to local community agencies to assist some of their clients with affordability while providing them with the wrap-around services and supports they need.
Pillar 1: Transform service
Action 1.2
By summer 2018, undertake enumeration of the homeless population in Peel to better understand the extent of homelessness and their needs.
Status: Complete
Description
Enumeration of the homeless population in Peel was undertaken in 2018 and again in 2021. A report to Regional Council will be presented in mid-2022 with the results of the 2021 enumeration (Point-In-Time Count).
Action 1.3
By fall 2018, implement a by-name list of homeless clients to prioritize them for the highest intensity of services.
Status: Complete
Description
By October 2020, the Region of Peel implemented a quality By-Name List to prioritize homeless clients as per the requirements from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH).
Action 1.4
By the end of 2018, bring forward an action plan on human trafficking in Peel Region.
Status: Complete
Description
On June 14, 2018, Regional Council approved a three-year pilot strategy to address human sex trafficking in Peel Region. The strategy included the creation of a safe house, a transitional home and a dedicated service hub for survivors.
The Elizabeth Fry Society Peel-Halton was awarded the contract for the operation of the safe and transitional homes. Both homes are operational and can accommodate up to 6 clients at a time.
Action 1.5
By summer 2019, house 50 people experiencing homelessness through the Home for Good Housing First program.
Status: Complete
Description
The Home for Good collaborative provides housing and supports to individuals experiencing homelessness.
In 2021, 104 clients received housing supports through the Home for Good Housing First program.
Action 1.7
Convene a table consisting of community providers of homelessness services to plan and coordinate services and address system gaps.
Status: Complete
Description
The Coordinated Access planning table was convened in October 2020, consisting of homelessness service providers, and co-led by Peel Alliance to End Homelessness (PAEH). Coordinated Access was co-designed in 2021 and will be implemented in 2022.
Action 1.9
Reorient services and policies to reflect a Housing First approach.
Status: Complete
Description
Through the development and implementation of the new service delivery pathway, all housing services and policies reflect a Housing First approach.
Action 1.10
Redirect a larger share of Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance funding to support the homeless population and/or those in crisis.
Status: Complete
Description
The new service delivery pathway and needs-based approach to subsidy administration, approved by Regional Council on May 28, 2020, directs more portable housing subsidies to those clients with the most urgent needs.
Over 1200 additional households will now benefit from having a portable subsidy to help make their housing costs affordable.
Pillar 2: Build more community housing
Action 2.1
By the end of 2018, proceed with pre-development planning of Peel Housing Corporation’s East Avenue property in Mississauga.
Status: Complete
Description
The City of Mississauga Planning and Development Committee approved up to 151 units for the East Avenue project. In addition, this will be a pace-setter project advancing the Region’s Climate Change Master Plan goals.
Action 2.2
By summer 2019, host an innovation lab in partnership with the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Master of Public Policy Program, to develop innovative approaches to creating and financing affordable home ownership for low-income individuals and families.
Status: Cancelled
Description
Action cancelled as Innovation lab was not held.
Action 2.3
By the end of 2019, work with local municipalities to rezone PHC’s seven priority sites and Twin Pines Redevelopment.
Status: Complete
Description
Regional staff have worked and are continuing to work with planning staff at the local municipalities to have sites rezoned when approved for redevelopment. This work will continue to happen on a site-by-site basis as needed.
Action 2.4
Provide program design and evaluation support to the SHIP/TRCA Tiny Housing Village at Innovation Park.
Status: Cancelled
Description
Action cancelled as Innovation Park is located outside of Peel Region.
Action 2.5
Work with PHC to regenerate and repurpose its 7 priority sites.
Status: Complete
Description
Feasibility studies have been completed for a total of 11 PHC sites.
Peel Housing Corporation projects identified for redevelopment are included in Peel's 10-year capital development plan on a site-by-site basis. Currently there are 2 housing corporation projects under development.
Progress was made in 2023 by receiving planning approvals for the East Avenue Redevelopment project and the Chelsea Gardens project. Projects are currently in the design and early construction phases. Together, these projects will create 350 new homes.
Action 2.7
Prepare and implement a Housing Master Plan (HMP) and financing strategy that describes how and where emergency shelter, transitional, supportive and affordable housing development.
Status: Complete
Description
In 2023, the Housing Master Plan was revised to include only fully funded projects and renamed the Peel Community Housing Development Program. These changes were approved by Regional Council on July 6, 2023.
Action 2.8
Bring forward recommendations to Council about the preferred model/structure for housing development in Peel.
Status: Complete
Description
The Housing Development Office was created in January 2019.
Pillar 3: Maximize planning tools and incentives
Action 3.1
By summer 2019, bring forward a framework in principle for a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to direct and stimulate private sector investment in affordable housing through an incentive-based program.
Status: Complete
Description
The work completed to create a framework to direct funding through an incentive program resulted in the creation of a preferred mechanism, a new Municipal Housing Facility By-Law, which was approved by Regional Council on July 9, 2020 (By-Law 49-2020).
Action 3.2
Work with local municipalities to develop a modest program of land use planning tools and incentives to support the development of affordable housing.
Status: Complete
Description
175 affordable rental housing units have been approved since the 2021 round of the Affordable Housing Incentives Pilot Program, now known as Peel Affordable Rental Incentives Program (PARIP). The units secured through PARIP offer affordable rents ranging between 52% to 132% of Median Market Rent and an affordability period ranging between 25-41 years. Learn more about the Peel Affordable Rental Incentives Program.
The new Municipal Housing Facility By-Law allows for incentive stacking with local municipalities for approved projects.
Work continues with local municipalities to leverage other financial and non-financial incentives for development of new affordable housing. Regional staff are supporting local municipalities’ work and efforts to reduce parking requirements to increase housing affordability.
Action 3.5
Work with the local municipalities to review preliminary studies for the Housing Master Plan sites, now known as the Peel Community Housing Development Program and to coordinate and prioritize planning approvals where possible.
Status: Complete
Description
Similar to action 2.5, work is ongoing with local municipal planning staff to review the preliminary feasibility studies for affordable housing sites on a site-by-site basis as required.
Pillar 4: Optimize existing stock
Action 4.2
By summer 2018, explore purchase and repurposing of several Peel Children’s Aid Society (CAS) properties for use as transitional housing.
Status: Complete
Description
2 homes previously owned by Peel CAS were purchased by the Region in 2018 for supportive housing. One home is used as the transitional home for survivors of human sex trafficking.
Action 4.3
By spring 2019, review evidence and best practices to identify opportunities to maximize existing stock including home-sharing, cohousing and creating additional second units in Peel designs.
Status: Complete
Description
In February 2022, staff provided an update to Peel Region Council on the Solutions Lab process and the 2 solutions that have been prioritized to explore further in 2022 and beyond.
These 2 prioritized solutions include the Canada HomeShare Peel Pilot Program that was approved by Regional Council on June 24, 2021, and the expansion and redesign of the My Home Second Unit Renovation Program to potentially include a senior-specific funding stream, among other potential changes.
Action 4.7
Develop programs to create movement through the affordable housing stock by supporting those who are “over housed” to move to alternative accommodations and helping people to improve employment opportunities.
Status: Complete
Description
Since 2018, Peel Housing Corporation has completed over 181 transfers within their housing portfolio to enable over-housed households to move to appropriately sized units.
The Service Manager transfer policy was reviewed in alignment with the needs-based approach to subsidy administration.
The new service delivery pathway focuses on case planning and offers clients referrals to improve employment and educational opportunities.
Pillar 5: Increase supportive housing
Action 5.1
By summer 2018, award funding for a new supportive housing project.
Status: Complete
Description
On July 12, 2018, the supportive housing request for proposal (RFP) was awarded to Indwell Community Homes for the creation of 68 new affordable supportive housing units that their Lakeshore Lofts development in Mississauga.
By-Name List - A real-time list of all people experiencing homelessness. It includes a robust set of data points that support coordinated access and service prioritization at a household level and an understanding of homeless inflow and outflow at a system level.
Community Improvement Plan - A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that can help revitalize areas within a community by designating a CIP area and providing programs, such as grants, to encourage implementation of goals identified by the municipality.
Coordinated Access - A single place or process for people experiencing homelessness to access housing and support services. It is a system-wide program designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable first and creates a more efficient homeless serving system by helping people move through the system faster, reducing new entries to homelessness, and improving data collection and quality to provide accurate information on client needs.
Inclusionary Zoning - In December 2016, the Province of Ontario passed the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, which gives municipalities the option to implement inclusionary zoning, which requires affordable housing units to be included in residential developments.
Housing First - A Housing-first approach is based on the principle that people are better able to move forward with their lives if they are first housed. As such, this approach aims to assist people who are homeless to obtain and maintain permanent, housing that is affordable and to assist those who are at risk of homelessness to remain housed.
Official Plan - A long-term plan used by municipalities to manage growth and development that reflects provincial legislation and policies. The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their official plans every 5 years.
Peel Housing Corporation - Peel Housing Corporation, also known as Peel Living, was established in 1976 and acts as a non-for-profit social housing provider owned by the Region of Peel. Peel Living is the largest community housing provider in Peel and the third largest in Ontario. Peel Living provides safe, affordable housing options to low and moderate-income earners in Peel Region.
