Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-295 - Housing for All Strategy Lived Expertise Working Group - First Year Review and Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study UpdateStaff Report r NJ :R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: June 26, 2023 SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7070 PREPARED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy & Research, 519-741-2200 ext. 7648 Garett Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7070 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: June 22, 2023 REPORT NO.: DSD -2023-295 SUBJECT: Housing for All Strategy Lived Expertise Working Group — First Year Review and Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study Update RECOMMENDATION: That the $30,000 already committed to the operation of the Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) for year 2 from Kitchener's operating budget be allocated as outlined in DSD -2023-295; and, That the City transfer $23,600 to the SDCWR (Social Development Centre Waterloo Region) for year 2 costs in accordance with the Purchase of Services Agreement signed June 13, 2022; and further, That staff, together with the facilitator of the Lived Expertise Working Group, report back to Council at the conclusion of the pilot program in 2024 on next steps for the LEWG. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the Lived Expertise Working Group's (LEWG) first-year accomplishments and lessons learned and outline priorities for year 2 work. This report also provides an update on Kitchener's Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study • The LEWG's first year priorities focused on developing a housing charter to work through jurisdictional barriers surrounding housing and supporting encampments throughout Kitchener. A large volume of work has been completed by the LEWG related to their priorities. Priorities for year 2 are in progress and part of ongoing conversations with Kitchener's Interim Director of Planning and Manager of Policy & Research. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 18 of 25 • There are no new financial implications as $30,000 is already committed to the operation of the Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) for year 2 from Kitchener's operating budget. • This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. The LEWG Year One Report (Attachment A) was prepared by the LEWG facilitator. • This report supports A Caring Community through the City's commitment to recognize that stable, secure and affordable housing is a human right. Further, that the City will use equity, diversity and inclusion principles to realize the right to housing. BACKGROUND: In December 2020 Kitchener Council approved Kitchener's Housing for All Strategy establishing a five-year strategy to realize the right to housing using the tools available to a local municipality. Priority 2 of the Housing for All Strategy is a commitment to Lived Experience Collaboration with the following actions: • Recognize and treat those in need of housing or related social benefits as experts in what is required and able to positively inform the outcome of decision-making processes; • Ensure knowledge of rights and provide access to relevant information and sufficient time to consult; • Ensure meaningful participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of housing policies and decisions; • Work with community organizations to proactively identify and eliminate socio- economic barriers to participation; and, • Create and implement a 2 year pilot project for staff to work with and learn from a Lived -Experience Working Group on addressing housing issues in the city, to gain advice on strategy implementation and monitor progress. A Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) was formed in early 2022. As part of the 2022 Housing for All update report to Council, staff outlined that future Housing for All workplans and reports would include the input of the Lived Expertise Working Group who is also responsible for measuring the success of Housing for All's implementation. This report provides an overview of the LEWG's first-year accomplishments and lessons learned and outlines priorities for year 2. This report also provides an update on Kitchener's Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study. REPORT: Lived Expertise Working Group The Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG), established in early 2022, completed the first year of its 2 -year pilot project. Attachment A includes the LEWG Year One Report. The LEWG has completed a large volume of work and has experienced several learnings through this work including success in using an empathy -based approach to working with each other, municipal staff and Kitchener Council. The LEWG is currently working with Kitchener's Interim Director of Planning and Manager of Policy & Research on priorities for year 2 and have indicated a commitment to continued dialogue with city staff on matters of shared interest related to housing such as tenant protections and applying a lived expertise lens to Kitchener's upcoming Official Plan review. Page 19 of 25 Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study In January 2023 Council resolved: "THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT where existing rental housing cannot or will not be preserved, staff make recommendations on how the City can support the transitioning of displaced residents; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to review the rental replacement bylaws found elsewhere in Ontario to determine its benefits and its applicability in Kitchener; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to work with Community Stakeholders to make recommendations and deliver on tools and best -practices that may be implemented immediately; tools that may require additional development, possibly as part of Kitchener's Official Plan review; and suggested advocacy to other orders of government where support may be outside of our jurisdiction and report back prior to the end of 2023; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be circulated to the Region of Waterloo and other local municipalities, should they choose to partner, and/ or provide consistency -of -response to this growing challenge throughout our Region; and, THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT this resolution be circulated to the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO)." Kitchener's Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study is among several housing - related studies and initiatives the City is currently undertaking (see figure below). 12023 Q1 I I Q3 I Q4 1 2024+ Municipal Housing Bill 13, Bill 23, Bill 109 Shared Accommodations Evictions & Displacement Pledge Implementation Plan By-law (incl. Lodging House) Toolkit Implementation Growing Together Lower Doon Land Use Rental Replacement By-law Engagement Summary Study Implementation Implementation Missing Middle and Eviction & Displacement Eviction & Displacement Affordable Housing Study webpage & Online Toolkit Options Update Reporting Update Rental Replacement By-law Inclusionary Zoning Information Report Direction Growing Together Implementation Inclusionary Zoning Implementation To date, as part of Kitchener's Rental Housing, Eviction and Displacement Study, staff have prepared a draft website to share resources and sources of information on rental displacement and evictions for an easily accessible one window page of information for Page 20 of 25 those that have, are or may experience displacement. Additionally, a survey has been prepared to collect information from tenants who have been or will be evicted from their rental units because of the landlord's intent to demolish, renovate, convert, or occupy their rental unit. The purpose of this confidential survey is to help inform the City's understanding of the nature and magnitude of evictions and displacements occurring in Kitchener. The draft website and survey will be discussed with the LEWG at upcoming meetings following which they will be posted and shared. At this time, it is anticipated that the website and survey will be posted this summer. And finally, staff are also in the process of retaining consultant services to better understand the financial feasibility of a rental replacement by-law. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports A Caring Community through the City's commitment to recognize that stable, secure and affordable housing is a human right. Further, that the City will use equity, diversity and inclusion principles to realize the right to housing. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget. Operating Budget - Kitchener has committed contributing up to $30,000 annually for the term of the 2 year pilot to help remove barriers to participation and to remunerate participants for their time and contributions. The Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region (SDCWR) is responsible to administer the remuneration process directly to participants. In year one, $20,000 was paid by the City of Kitchener upon signing of a Purchase of Service Agreement with the SDCWR to pay for the following expenses; meeting compensation ($12,960), nominating compensation ($600), research & ad hoc projects ($3000), travel stipend ($1440), childcare stipend ($1000), panelists ($300) and an admin fee ($700). Funds administered by the City of Kitchener included training ($4400), refreshments ($3600), and computers and technology ($2000). SDCWR has requested that the City of Kitchener advance the year 2 funds in the amount of $23,600 and that SDCWR arrange meeting refreshments directly. Staff have no objections to the revised budget allocation, and the total budget of $30,000 is unchanged. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. COLLABORATE — The LEWG Year One Report was prepared by the LEWG Facilitator. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • DSD -20-214 Housina for All — Citv of Kitchener Housina Stra COR -2022-104 — Housing for All Program Update — 2022 Year in Review APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Lived Expertise Working Group Year One Report Page 21 of 25 WORKING GROUP KITCHENER Im YEAR ONE REPORT (May 2022 -May 2023) David Alton (they/them) - Lived Expertise Working Group Facilitator Social Development Centre Waterloo Region - City of Kitchener Presented to Council June 26, 2023 Page 22 of 25 Executive Summary Overview: The Lived Expertise Working Group is a two year pilot project hosted by the Social Development Centre in partnership with the City of Kitchener to advise on the implementation and monitoring of the Housing for All Strategy. The working group consists of twelve lived experts who meet twice a month from May 2022 to April 2024. The Working Group is supported by a facilitation team including a lead facilitator, social work support worker, research support worker, digital support worker and staff from the Planning Department. The Working Group has strong community support and interest from media, academia, and other municipalities. Lived Expertise - Working Group members were selected for their lived experience, advocacy experience, and connections to communities. They are provided stipends and supports to compensate them for sharing their expertise. Co -creation - Every part of this project has been created through ongoing engagement with communities. Decisions are made by the working group members and supported by the facilitation team. Grace - Working Group is both trauma -informed and diversity informed. Supports and accountability processes focus on creating space to help the group navigate a broad range of experiences, communication styles, and triggers. Trust - Working Group acts as a bridge between municipalities and communities. Trusting relationships are prioritized to help hold dynamic conversations, evolving community contexts, and complex power relations. Decolonization - Working Group is self critical and reflective to counter tokenism and ensure all voices are heard. Working Group is identifying new ways of relating to better enable institutional and community transformation. priorities for Year 1: The working group selected the following two priorities for the first year of the pilot. 1. Developing a Housing Charter that helps City of Kitchener overcome jurisdictional barriers (ie. with Region of Waterloo) surrounding housing. 2. Supporting encampments within the City of Kitchener. Work Completed: • Reviewed Housing for All Strategy and consulted with City of Kitchener Staff • Reviewed draft terms of reference and developed Community Space Agreement • Developed a storytelling map of encampment support ecosystem Page 23 of 25 3 • Reviewed Region of Waterloo's Interim Housing Solutions with Leilani Farha • Completed conflict resolution workshop with Community Justice Initiatives • Delegated to Region of Waterloo Council and Community Services Committee • Led a panel at LISPOP Housing Forum on Lived Expertise • Hosted an Orientation on Lived Expertise for Regional Councilors and senior staff • Conducted one on one interview series on lived expertise process to inform future engagements at City of Kitchener • Members co -created an offboarding and accountability procedure/process for the Working Group in case of future conflict • Hosted a "Speed Dating" with Kitchener City staff to encourage dialogue and a deeper understanding of both the inner workings of the city, and the Working Group. • Created a working rubric for bylaw based on a human rights approach to encampments and their residents • Met with academics and activists from British Columbia to mobilize knowledge regarding the mass evictions of encampments and the current disregard of human rights • Working Group member participated on a panel regarding the recent court case that stopped the encampment evictions in Kitchener • Participated in a Lunch N Learn on Lived Experience to discuss Systems Planning where Working Group connected with other groups from the Niagara Region • Participated in a decolonial workshop series hosted by Ekhaya. Ongoing Projects: 1. Working with City of Kitchener staff on the implementation and review of the Housing for All Strategy. o Status: Meeting with Planning Department to review potential year 2 projects 2. Reviewing Bylaw's approach to encampments through a human rights framework. o Status: Preparing pilot with Region of Waterloo staff at 100 Victoria and 150 Main encampments as part of the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. 3. Leading a team of student researchers from Wilfrid Laurier University in a study comparing perceptions of displacement between unsheltered communities and municipal employees. o Status: Photos have been taken and first focus group completed. Focus group with City staff scheduled for July. 4. Participating in communities of practice around Lived Expertise. o Status: Representatives attending regular meetings of the Region of Waterloo's Encampment Operations Table, the Unsheltered Campaign and the Shift's National Working Group on Encampments. 5. Participating in the transformation laboratory hosted by the Social Development Centre and the University of Waterloo as part of Region of Waterloo's Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. o Status: Some Working Group members are engaging in community based research to identify needs and potential interventions to inform the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Page 24 of 25 G 6. Developing a presentation for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness 2023 National Conference o Status: Presentation proposal submitted and working group is now planning several public events to fundraise for the conference. Upcoming Projects. 1. Support City of Kitchener staff in developing and implementing tenant protections. 2. Set Year 2 priorities with Planning Department focusing on housing related land use planning matters. Learnings: • Lived experience was transformed into lived expertise, incorporating advocacy experience, ongoing relationships, institutional recognition and compensation. • Applicants preferred to apply as individuals rather than groups to minimize tokenization, recognize broader scope of work, and avoid the additional labour of formally interfacing with groups. Connection to communities was still prioritized in the selection process. • Working group is distinct from peer support programs as working group members are provided more voice and access to decision making but less therapeutic support than peer support workers. Peer support remains a contrasting model to learn from. • Formal training process has been transformed into ongoing learning sessions to respond to diverse and ongoing learning needs and goals of the group. • Individualized supports from the facilitation team, including a social worker, have been introduced to accommodate members diverse and fluctuating needs, as well to ensure a trauma informed process. • Working group members have empathy for and a desire to learn from each other and municipal staff and councils. They regularly self manage their individual and collective experiences to create space for learning from others. • Municipalities continue to struggle with fear and perceptions of conflict when entering the space with the working group. This perception appears to be tied to advocacy work happening outside of the working group. The primary fear appears to be the fear of being seen as the spokesperson for all governments and thus the target of all advocacy and criticism. • More City staff have to be a part of the process in regularly connecting with the working group, to create opportunities for monitoring and supporting of the implementation of the housing strategy, and to create opportunities for staff to learn about this work and interact with the working group to build greater trust and collaboration. • More opportunities are needed for the Social Development Centre and the working group to directly present and report to City staff, council, and the Corporate Leadership Team to ensure mutual understanding and commitment to the process that is recognized as unique and necessary in engagement of lived experts in municipal decision-making. Page 25 of 25