House in the Boyle Street Area

Motion on the Floor:

MOVED T. Cavanagh (made at the January 24, 2000 Community Services Committee meeting):

That the December 1, 1999 Community Services Department report be received for information.

AMENDMENT MOVED D. Thiele (made at the January 24, 2000 Community Services Committee meeting):

That the Administration report back on the outcome of the upcoming discussions with external organizations relative to this matter.”

Recommendation:
That the Motion on the Floor and the Amendment be passed.

Report Summary

This report provides an update on discussions with external organizations relative to assistance to individuals and families served notices to vacate their current housing as a result of Safe Housing Standards enforcement. It also outlines a revised process for providing relocation assistance to those persons.

Previous Council/Committee Action

  • At the January 24, 2000 Community Services Committee meeting the Motion on the Floor and the Amendment were referred to Administration to prepare a further report setting out the different organizations that the City of Edmonton deals with in relation to the issue as set out in the December 1, 1999 Community Services Department report.
  • At the November 15, 1999 City Council meeting, Councillor M. Phair made the following inquiry:

“On Friday, a house in the Boyle Street area was declared structurally unsound and residents were ordered to leave within twenty-four hours.

  1. In a situation like this, what plan and resources are in place to assist the tenants with relocation and immediate housing?
  2. What responsibility does the landlord/landowner bear?
  3. Will the tenants get their November rent and deposit returned to them?
  4. How and why is the way these residents were treated different than the residents on Whitemud Road?”

Report

  • Community Services Department staff recently met with representatives of the Boyle Street Co-op, the Canadian Red Cross, and Alberta Human Resources and Employment to review and update the existing protocol for relocation situations.
  • Community Services has recently updated its relocation strategy procedures in co-operation and agreement with these agencies. The protocol sets out the steps to be followed for housing and assistance for tenants served notices to vacate.
  • Once a Safety Codes Act or Public Health Act contravention results in the required relocation of individuals or families, a copy of the Order to Vacate under the Public Health Act is forwarded to the Boyle Street Co-op, the Canadian Red Cross, and Alberta Human Resources and Employment. An Order to Vacate usually requires compliance within 30 days. However, this may be reduced to a shorter period of time depending upon the severity of the health and safety conditions of the affected premises.
  • Upon receipt of a copy of the Order to Vacate, the following actions are taken:
  • A housing worker from the Boyle Street Co-op will visit affected tenants and offer them information on available alternative housing and assistance with their relocation. If the tenants(s) agree to accept assistance, the worker will provide information on available housing and tenant relocation costs, and establish contacts with other agencies to ensure all are aware of the plans being developed for relocation.
  • If emergency housing (e.g. imminent danger to occupants) is necessary, the Canadian Red Cross will arrange and provide short-term housing for up to 72 hours, as well as food and other necessities.
  • Alberta Human Resources and Employment will provide emergency assistance to affected tenants, including those who are on the Support For Independence (SFI) program, if they meet the Provincial criteria. This may include payment of additional rent for up to two weeks and other assistance, as assessed appropriate.
  • While the Boyle Street Co-op and the Canadian Red Cross have agreed to provide the services outlined above at no additional cost to the City, both agencies have indicated that, in the future, they may be seeking assistance for relocation related expenses such as moving tenants belongings. Both organizations are intending to explore various avenues of funding.

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