[community] Urgent: Fwd: Accessibility / Short-term rental regulation

[John Willis]

There is a significant amount of new funding coming into the housing and homelessness sector in Toronto now and over the coming three years. So this is a good time to intervene to encourage greater inclusive design. The two key agencies are the affordable housing office (AHO), which is oriented to working with the private sector to create more affordable housing, and the shelter support and housing administration (SSHHA), which is oriented to managing existing social housing and the wide array of homelessness services

 The provincial government has specifically requested municipalities to boost their focus on accessibility in the new home for good program, which targets homelessness prevention and helping people who are at risk of homelessness get into and stay in their homes. 

There are also extensive research development of social housing going on at Lawrence Heights and a new multi service hub and shelter called the George Street revitalization

But on the other hand it is fair to say that there is a lack of clear metrics about accessibility in housing, a sure sign that more focus is needed. So I would describe the situation as auspicious but very much a work in progress. I do not think it would be correct to say there is no consideration of accessibility or inclusion – the people in the sector would say there is a very very heavy focus on inclusion, given that so many folks who are housing unstable or homeless are also people with disabilities, mental health challenges, addiction problems, refugees, discriminated against due to sexual identity orientation, etc. But I think the right way to characterize there his stork focus is on services rather than build form and on direct delivery of those services rather than user networks or digital platforms

The current long-term affordable housing strategy, which is a provincial policy, would be the right place for advocates to start their research since it frames all of the different housing phones and services. But at the Toronto level, those interested should look specifically at the housing opportunities strategy, which was updated at the end of 2016. The body responsible for that strategy is the affordable housing office, which is led by councillor Ana Balao

John D. Willis
Design & innovation in Public Services


> On Nov 12, 2017, at 09:49, Treviranus, Jutta <jtreviranus at ocadu.ca> wrote:
> 
> I was just at an event in New York and heard that the upcoming Toronto City housing planning deliberations have no consideration of disability and accessibility.
> 
> Jutta
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Thorben Wieditz <twieditz at uniteherelocal75.org<mailto:twieditz at uniteherelocal75.org>>
> Date: November 12, 2017 at 8:27:56 AM EST
> To: <jtreviranus at ocadu.ca<mailto:jtreviranus at ocadu.ca>>
> Subject: Accessibility / Short-term rental regulation
> 
> Hi Jutta,
> 
> It was nice meeting you.
> 
> I just wanted to follow up on our conversation from last night.
> 
> I did not see any provisions around accessibility in the proposed regulations that will be heard at the Planning and Growth Management or the Licensing and Standards Committee this week.
> 
> If you have champion on these committee who can introduce your concerns via a motion good, but if you don’t, please let me know ASAP and I can try to speak to Councillor Wong-Tam. While she is not on any of these committees, she could table a motion.
> 
> I don’t think waiting until Dec. 6 and trying to add accessibility requirements would be the best option. While possible, it would maybe be easier to move it before, so that there are two opportunities.
> 
> Please let me know if there is a way to assist.
> 
> I just wanted to flag this since I am working on another motion already and will probably have to tackle this all tomorrow.
> 
> Also, are you planning on deputing? Submitting a written letter?
> 
> Cheers,
> Thorben(647-409-8997)
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> ________________________________________
> Inclusive Design Community (community at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca)
> To manage your subscription, please visit: https://lists.idrc.ocadu.ca/mailman/listinfo/community