Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Toronto is accepting applications for a new housing rights advisory committee (HRAC). Interested residents can apply on the City’s Public Appointments webpage.
The HRAC will advise council about housing precarity, discrimination and homelessness reflected in policies, programs and service delivery. It will also help identify systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing and keeping adequate housing.
Applications are open until Oct. 13 and nominees will be reviewed by city council in December following a recommendation from the civic appointments committee.
“We are committed to building more affordable and supportive housing for the people of Toronto,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “As part of the HousingTO Action Plan, the Housing Rights Advisory Committee will help bring the perspectives of people with lived experiences of homelessness and housing precarity to City Hall. I encourage people to apply and help the city better reflect people’s needs.”
City council also approved funding for a deputy ombudsman for housing. Learn more about the Deputy Ombudsman by visiting the Ombudsman Toronto’s website.
The 12-member HRAC will take a “whole-of-community” approach to advise council on housing challenges. Members will include individuals with a diversity of living/lived experience of housing precarity and homelessness, including youth, Indigenous and Black residents, housing advocates, academics and service providers.
Toronto’s HousingTO 2020-2030 action plan was created to address housing needs of more than 340,000 low- and moderate-income households by 2030, including those from equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, Black and other racialized residents, seniors, women, youth and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
