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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC Minutes - 2021-03-11 The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date March 11, 2021 commencing at 4:04 p.m. Present: C. Kidd Chubb, Vice Chair,G. Achim, L. Campbell, Councillor K. Galloway Sealock, R.Hussein, S. Kibaalya, Councillor C. Michaud, H. Nagawo, I. Obodo, A. Venner, D. Witmer, R. Shanmuganathan Staff: J. McKenzie, Committee Administrator L. Palubeski, Manager, Program and Resource Services M. Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services Delegations NIL Discussion Items 1. Kitchener's Housing First Strategy, Andrew Ramsaroop https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-services/affordable-housing-strategy.aspx The City of Kitchener recognizes the importance of strong and diverse neighbourhoods where residents can grow and thrive. As a vibrant and caring community, we've taken steps to make housing more affordable in our city so Kitchener can be an even better place for everyone to call home. A key action from our Strategic Plan is to create a caring community through the development of a Housing Strategy. In collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, community groups and the development industry, the city has developed a Housing First Strategy aimed at addressing challenges to housing affordability in Kitchener across the housing continuum. As demand for housing in our city increases, we're working to find solutions that will encourage a broader range of housing options and increase the supply of affordable housing opportunities available. Affordable housing means equitable access to safe and appropriate housing for all. City Staff therefore shifted the name of the Affordable Housing Strategy to simply, the Housing Strategy. This removes the stigma sometimes associated with affordable housing as if it is less than other housing. Through this strategy and its engagement, staff are committed to actively working towards removing the stigma from all forms of housing in our City and the people that call it home. Housing is a basic human right. The strategy is in the implementation stage. An advisory committee made up of city Councillors, members of the public, community partners, development industry professionals, academics, city staff and regional housing staff, helped inform the strategy. The committee also includes people with lived experiences. As part of the scope of this project, Kitchener residents also provided input through online and in-person consultations to shape decision-making that will have a significant, positive impact on housing in our community. City of Kitchener has the 8t" highest housing prices in Canada. Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994. Comments/Feedback o How does the City of Kitchener housing prices compare to other comparable municipalities? Andrew to circle back to the committee with an answer. o What is Inclusionary zoning? This is a mechanism for cities to ensure developers build affordable housing o The focus seems to be on the provinces' zone orders, are you worried about it? Should not interfere with our work, very rare for the province to step in o What role do you see Safe & Healthy fitting into the Housing First Strategy? Has this committee ever been a part of the strategy before? No, it has not but I believe the value this group can bring to the strategy would be its input and collaboration as the eyes and ears of the regular population. o New condos going up downtown are you aware of any affordable housing? Andrew is not aware. Councillor C. Michaud thinks the one at the East End will have affordable units. o How do we continue the conversation without closing the loop? Further regarding this will continue with discussions happening around the work plan 2. Follow-up items o Official Plan Review (date) The Region of Waterloo plan is up for review now and the City of Kitchener will update theirs within the next two years. However, this committee could be included in the Region of Waterloo plan review if it fits into the Work plan. o Inclusive grant revisions Edits are still being done and a draft version will be sent to the committee members via email for discussion at the April meeting. o Inclusive grant 2020 request (update) The group who did not use their grant money last year due to the pandemic has decided not to reapply for grant money this year, however, are aware that they can reapply next year 3. Work Plan Two suggestions were made regarding the work plan: 1. Put together a working group of three or four committee members to expedite the work of the committee. Do some prework before the whole committee gets involved. Although numerically it looks one way, not everything was included on the survey. Diving further into the thoughts to bring back to the larger group. Survey may not accurately reflect the topics. This group would discuss all the items prioritized on the survey by the committee and which would be the most impactful. The discussion would then be brought back to the committee to decide on what the work will be going forward. The suggestion would be to meet one to two times before April's meeting for likely a two-hour time commitment. 2. Break up into three or four working groups to work on the three or four priorities already indicated in the survey. Smaller task force versus just one subcommittee. Patrick motioned that "a work group be struck to review the original priorities identified from the survey and that the work group meet and report back with recommendations and that this work group be led by a staff member. Gratiana seconded. All in favour.