Q2 (April 1 to June 30, 2018) to Board of Directors

Recommendation:

That Niagara Regional Housing Quarterly Report April 1 to June 30, 2018 be APPROVED and FORWARDED to the Public Health and Social Services Committee and subsequently to Regional and Municipal Councils for information.

Submitted by:	Approved by:
Donna Woiceshyn Chief Executive Officer	Henry D’Angela Chair

Highlights:

Appliction Activity 827 received & processed	Work Orders 2,768 issued
Capital Program 15 jobs/projects ongoing 4 public tenders closed 44 contract orders issued	Rent Arrears = $35,055.56 or 3.08% of the monthly rent charges
Community Resources & Partnerships Offered supports to 313 new referrals Had partnerships with 45 community agencies	Non-Profit Housing Programs 66% deemed HEALTHY
Rent Supplement/Housing Allowance 1,324 units	Niagara Renovates inspections for 2018-2019 funding are still underway
Welcome Home Niagara 9 homeowners received assistance	Housing First Project 14 individuals / families housed
Appeals = 9 5 upheld 4 overturned	New Development Carlton Street, St. Catharines approx. 60% complete

As the administrator of social housing for Niagara Region, Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) works to fulfill our vision and mission through six main areas of responsibility:

1. Public Housing (NRH Owned Units)
2. Non-Profit Housing Programs
3. Rent Supplement Program
4. Affordable Housing Program
5. Service Manager Responsibilities
6. Housing Access Centre and Centralized Waiting List

DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE:

In Q2, 2,768 work orders were issued, representing $1,071,870.54. $54,528.70 of this amount was charged back to tenants who were held responsible for damages.

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
# of work orders issued	1,951	3,263	2,993	2,566	2,768

CAPITAL PROGRAM:

The Capital Program is responsible for maintaining the Public Housing (NRH Owned Units) asset and planning for future sustainability.

In Q2, 44 contract orders were issued, four public tenders closed and purchase orders issued $1,200,761.00.

The Capital Program was responsible for 12 capital jobs valued at $1,700,000 and three SHAIP capital projects valued at $750,000 including:

• Parking lot replacement-two projects
• Roof replacements-two projects
• Foundation repairs-one project
• Design and preparation of tender for bathroom replacements-one project
• Balcony repair and railing replacement-one project
• Design and preparation of tender for foundation repair and damp proofing-ten projects
• Installation of a heat control system-two projects
• Domestic Hot Water replacement-one project

As of June 30, 2018, $2,500,000 of the $7,000,000 budgeted (excluding emergency) has been committed and/or actually spent (35%).

The Capital Works team continues to be a part of the working group with the Region on the project management workshops and the Asset management team.

Reallocating SHAIP year two and three projects to be completed in year one funding.

TENANT MOVE OUTS:

Move Outs By Reason

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
# of move outs	76	75	81	67	83

ARREARS:

NRH Housing Operations actively works to reduce rent arrears and saw a decrease in Q2.

	June 30, 2017	Sept 30, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Mar 31, 2018	Jun 30, 2018
Rent charges for the month	$1,109,091.38	$1,122,027.00	$1,150,372.27	$1,167,751.69	$1,136,607.00
Accumulated rent arrears	$43,629.27	$44,326.67	$49,045.27	$48,660.91	$35,055.56
Arrears %	3.93%	3.95%	4.26%	4.17%	3.08%

INSURANCE:

In Q2, there was one property damage claim expected to exceed the $25,000 deductible and one statement of claims served.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS:

In Q2, we had partnerships with 45 community agencies across Niagara. As a result of these partnerships, more than 200 support and enrichment activities were offered to tenants at NRH sites. Each partnership contributes totenant lives and, in turn, the success of the Public Housing community as a whole:

In Q2, the Community Resource Unit partnered with both Niagara College and Brock University to bring student placements into Public Housing communities. Each school year, Niagara College's Social Service Work students work with Community Programs Coordinators (CPCs) to assist with low-risk tenants and community development. Many of these placements have been so successful that the students have gone on to employment with NRH.

NRH was also able to join Community Services to host a fourth year Brock University Politics student, who wrote recommendations for community improvement in Manchester and assisted with the Housing and Homeless Action Plan (HHAP). In addition to the benefits to NRH, students were able to get the work experience they need for a well-rounded education and future resumes.

Also during Q2, NRH Community Programs Coordinators (CPCs) offered support to 313 new referrals of tenants in need of assistance. Of those new referrals, 57% were considered medium-high need. In particular, there was an increase in the number of tenants needing help with hoarding as well as supports for mental health and cognitive issues.

As administrator of social housing for Niagara Region, NRH provides legislative oversight for 62 Non-Profit Housing Programs (non-profit and co-operative). Operational Reviews are conducted to determine the overall health of each.

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
Healthy	43	42	43	41	41
Routine Monitoring	18	18	18	18	18
Intensive Monitoring	2	2	1	1	1
Pre-PID (Project in Difficulty)	1	1	1	1	1
PID (Project in Difficulty)	1	1	1	1	1
TOTAL	65	64	64	62	62

NRH Housing Programs staff continue to work with Federal Housing Providers as they move toward End of Operating Agreements (EOA).

In Q2, there were 1,324 Rent Supplement/Housing Allowance units across Niagara. In the Rent Supplement program, tenants pay 30% of their gross monthly income directly to the private landlord and NRH subsidizes the difference up to the market rent for the unit. The Housing Allowance program is a short term program that provides a set allowance to help applicants on the wait list.

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
Fort Erie	24	26	26	27	28
Grimsby	24	25	26	26	26
Lincoln (Beamsville)	2	2	2	13	12
Niagara Falls	183	200	219	228	229
Niagara-on-the-Lake	--	--	--	--	--
Pelham	26	24	24	23	23
Port Colborne	40	44	47	51	53
St. Catharines	525	567	600	657	700
Thorold	21	24	29	32	37
Welland	181	189	199	202	201
West Lincoln	15	15	14	14	15
TOTAL	1,041	1,116	1,186	1,273	1,324

Variances in the number of Rent Supplement/Housing Allowance units reflects the general management of the program and required take-up/deletion of units due to End of Operating Agreements (EOA), move out of tenants, and/or new units/landlords. Totals will be increasing in the future as some Non-Profit Housing Programs transition into a Rent Supplement agreement upon expiry of their operating agreement. It is unknown which areas will be affected.

NIAGARA RENOVATES PROGRAM:

The Niagara Renovates program provides assistance to low-to-moderate income homeowners for home repairs, accessibility modifications and the creation of secondary suites in single family homes.

Niagara Renovates inspections for 2018-2019 funding are now underway. Inspections include all areas inside and outside of the home to ensure compliance with program guidelines. Issues are identified and a detailed Inspection Report is completed for review before a decision is communicated to the homeowner.

NRH received $500,000 through the Investment in Affordable Housing - Extension (IAH-E) program for homeowner and secondary suite repairs and $626,300 for multi-unit repairs, totaling $1,126,300 for the 2018/2019 period.

HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM – “WELCOME HOME NIAGARA”:

The Homeownership program assists low-to-moderate income rental households to purchase their first home by providing a down payment loan.

In Q2, nine homeowners received assistance through Welcome Home Niagara. One of these was an NRH tenant.

HOUSING FIRST PROGRAM:

The Housing First program helps people move quickly from homelessness to their own home by providing supports to help difficult to house individuals find and keep housing.

In Q2, 14 individuals/families were housed through the Housing First program.

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
# individuals/families housed	15	10	22	17	14
# of Housing First units (at quarter end)	136	131	148	165	170

Since 2012, Housing First has helped 335 individuals/families.

RENTAL HOUSING (NEW DEVELOPMENT):

NRH New Development

	Amount	Units
Carlton Street, St. Catharines
Investment in Affordable Housing-Extension (IAH-E), Year 3	$5,806,000	45
Investment in Affordable Housing-Extension (IAH-E), Year 4	$2,888,000	23
Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF), Year 1	$2,387,817	17
Roach Avenue, Welland
Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF), Year 1	$1,200,000	8
TOTAL	$12,281,817	93

At the end of Q2

Carlton Street
• Interior – 1st floor, mechanical and electrical rough-in in progress
• Interior – 2nd floor, painting is 90% complete, flooring installation in progress, approximately 40% complete
• Interior – 3rd floor, drywall boarding 10% complete, mechanical and electrical rough in is in process
• Interior 4th floor – units have been drywall boarded
• Interior 5th floor – units have 50% drywall boarded
• Penthouse – mechanical rough in started, electrical rough in in progress
• Exterior – brick work 50% complete
• Overall progress – approximately 60% complete

Roach Avenue
• Received tenders and tender evaluations have been completed
• Demolition Permit has been applied for, forecast start of demolition in September

Additional New Development

Investment in Affordable Housing-Extension (IAH-E), Year 2 funding has been allocated to three non-profit organizations and will result in the creation of 40 units for seniors and mental health consumers in Niagara:

	Amount	Units
Gateway Residences of Niagara, Huron Street, Niagara Falls	$720,000	9
Thorold Municipal Non-Profit, Ormond Street, Thorold	$1,228,912	14
Stamford Kiwanis, Barker Street, Niagara Falls	$1,089,088	17
TOTAL	$3,038,000	40

At the end of Q2:

• Gateway Residence of Niagara – complete and operational
• Thorold Municipal Non-Profit – complete and operational
• Stamford Kiwanis – approximately 60% complete. Construction to resume in the fall of 2018

APPEALS:

In Q2, 9 appeals were heard (six fewer than in 2017-Q2).

• Five related to ongoing RGI eligibility
  • Two for failure to provide information – one upheld, one overturned
  • One overhoused household with illegal occupant was given the option of paying market rent or transferring to a 1-bedroom – upheld, tenant transferred
  • Two related to review of overhoused status
    • Appeal decision for NRH tenant was deferred from January. Appellant was given more time to supply information and heard again June 2018 – upheld.
    • Rent-Supplement tenant was given time to submit outstanding information. Decision overturned. Household not overhoused. Subsidy reinstated.
• Four for decisions made by Housing Access (e.g. requests for urgent status, an additional bedroom, and remaining in modified unit) – two upheld, two overturned

	2017-Q2	2017-Q3	2017-Q4	2018-Q1	2018-Q2
# of appeals	15	15	9	19	9

INVESTMENTS:

See Appendix A – Investment Report

APPLICATION ACTIVITY:

CENTRALIZED WAITING LIST:

		2017- Q2	2017- Q3	2017- Q4	2018- Q1	2018- Q2
		# of households
A	Rent-Geared-to-income (RGI) waiting list:
	Niagara resident RGI waiting list	4,226	4,282	4,344	4,287	4,562
	Applicants from outside Niagara	603	641	657	639	692
TOTAL RGI waiting list:		4,829	4,923	5,001	4,926	5,254
	Housing Allowance: a set allowance to help applicants on the waiting list with affordability in the private market until housed in an RGI unit	344	428	505	569	605
A1	RGI waiting list demographics:
	Seniors	1,973	2,038	2,061	2,064	2,173
	Adults no dependents	1,614	1,652	1,703	1,630	1,727
	Adults with dependents	1,242	1,233	1,237	1,232	1,354
A2	RGI list further segmented (#’s included in A & A1):
	SPP – Special Provincial Priority (Ministry Priority): helps victims of violence separate permanently from their abuser	115	114	101	122	129
	URG – Urgent (Local Priority): for applicants with mobility barriers and/or extreme hardship where their current accommodation puts them at extreme risk and/or causes hardship	98	105	99	104	120
	UHML – Homeless (Local Priority): provides increased opportunity for placement to homeless households	748	821	832	842	894
	SUP – Supportive/Transitional: provides targeted, provisional services to assist individuals to transition beyond basic needs to more permanent housing	29	26	19	17	17
B	In addition, NRH manages:
	Overhoused: households who are living in subsidized accommodation with more bedrooms than they are eligible for	133	111	143	152	167
	Transfer: households who are currently living in subsidized accommodation and have requested a transfer to another provider	437	499	513	518	525
TOTAL RGI households on waiting list managed by NRH:		5,399	5,533	5,657	5,596	5,946
C	NRH maintains a waiting list for market rent units (62 Non-Profit Housing Programs):
	Market: applicants who have applied for a market rent unit in the Non-Profit Housing Programs portfolio	569	592	591	578	597
TOTAL households on waiting list managed by NRH:		5,968	6,125	6,248	6,174	6,543
TOTAL individuals on waiting list managed by NRH:		10,031	10,217	10,449	10,380	11,052

Note: the above chart includes only those who apply to the Centralized Waiting List and does not capture the full number of those in need of affordable housing in Niagara.

ESTIMATED WAIT TIMES:

CITY	SENIORS Age 55 and older		SINGLES Age 16-54		HOUSEHOLDS WITH DEPENDENTS
	Bachelor	1 Bed	Bachelor	1 Bed	2 Bed	3 Bed	4 Bed	5 Bed
	YEARS
Forst Erie	-	9	2	8.5	2	1	5	-
Grimsby	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lincoln	-	4.5	-	12	9	8	-	-
Niagara Falls	4	6	-	16	5	3	7	14
Niagara-on-the-Lake	-	6.5	-	-	-	-	-	-
Pelham	-	3.5	-	-	-	-	-	-
Port Colborne	-	4.5	-	13	3	3	3	-
St. Catharines	-	6.5	9	13	3.5	3	9	12
Thorold	-	6.5	-	10	6	8	-	-
Welland	-	5	6	15	5	2.5	7	2
West Lincoln	-	4	-	-	5.5	7	-	-

- no units of this size available in this community
January 2018

Please note:

• wait time information can fluctuate and is an approximation only
• wait times may not reflect the actual time one may wait for affordable housing