Cynthia Summers Commissioner, The Office of the Commissioner of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Cynthia Summers Commissioner, The Office of the Commissioner of Housing Cynthia Summers Equity (“OCHE”) Commissioner Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (“OCHE”) Integrity Impartiality Independence

What is the OCHE’s mandate? • Eviction prevention for Senior and Vulnerable TCHC tenants facing evictions due to arrears of rent

Which Vulnerable Citizens does the OCHE Serve? • Seniors are defined as 59+ • Vulnerability is defined by the City of Toronto: As the gap between the challenges a person faces and the resources they can access when facing those challenges. Vulnerability must be assessed in context – a person’s vulnerability or resilience will depend on their circumstances, environment and resources in the broadest sense.

The two roles of the OCHE Auditing/Oversight: • Audits TCHC on their Loss of Rent-Geared-to-Income (“RGI”) subsidy and Arrears Collection Process to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary evictions Case Management: • Provides Case Management to all Tenants referred to reach a resolution to avoid eviction

More about the OCHE • Reports directly to the TCHC Board of Directors • Makes recommendations to TCHC regarding Eviction Prevention processes and best practices • Focuses on Natural Justice and Administrative Fairness • Final safety net for TCHC’s most vulnerable tenants.

The OCHE Process Referral Review Resolve

The OCHE Approach Accessing Using External Positive Funds Messaging Addressing Underlying Issues

The OCHE Approach Increase Financial Use Positive Messaging Literacy Select Involve Families Reasonable for Assistance Repayment Amounts Engage and Empower Tenants Provide Use Positive Employ Intensive & Focused Attention Information to Messaging Tenants The OCHE Address Underlying Issues Approach Use Creative Engage and and Flexible Empower Access External Funds Plans Tenants Employ Use Creative and Flexible Plans Access External Intensive & Funds Focused Attention Address Underlying Provide Information to Tenants Issues Involve Families for Assistance Increase Financial Literacy Select Reasonable Repayment Amounts

Types of OCHE Resolutions Local Loss of Housing Repayment Subsidy Stabilization Agreements Resolved Fund Access Increase Referral to Discounted Financial Support Services Literacy Services

OCHE 2017 at a glance Loss of 443 Subsidy Engaged with 94.5% 895 audits Referrals of Households Only 5 Brokered 160 Arrears Households 359 Cases Evicted Repayment Agreements

Landlord Tenant Board (“LTB”) or Not? • Working with the OCHE is voluntary Recommended • Wanting their “day in court” TCHC proceed with • Wanting to file a Tenant Application L1 Applications for • Unable to reach the Tenant 66 • Multiple failed resolutions • And… Households

What is the Landlord Tenant Board (“LTB”)? A quasi-judicial tribunal which resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants. Role: • Mediates and adjudicates disputes between landlords and tenants, including eviction applications from TCHC and other housing providers • Provides information to landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act (“RTA”)

OCHE can help at the LTB When OCHE recommends proceeding with an L1 Application we recommend that Tenants: • Contact the Local Legal Clinic • Speak to Duty Counsel when attending the LTB • Mediate with TCHC at the LTB The Commissioner’s Recommendations Report is included in all L1 Applications submitted by TCHC to the LTB

How to contact the OCHE Phone: 416-632-7999 E-mail: www. OCHE.ca In Person: 339 Bloor Street West Suite 221