HOUSING PROVIDER FORUM WELCOME 2008 HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR DEBORAH - - PDF document

WELCOME 2008 HOUSING PROVIDER FORUM

DEBORAH FIRMIN

HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR

• Welcome & Introductions
• Issues/Solutions & Chocolate
• Information Packages

Faces & Places, Keeping Them Safe

• Faces and Places – Keeping Them Safe
• New Development
• Home Ownership
• NRH Web site
• Applicants – Informed Choices
• Ongoing Eligibility & the Arrears Data Base
• Finances for Today & Tomorrow
• BREAK – Visit the Information displays

Agenda

• SHSC – Supporting the Sector
• Fraud & Identity Theft
• LUNCH
• Partnering to Eliminate Domestic Violence
• What to Expect in the Event of a Fire
• Evaluations & Prizes

Agenda

Bracelet Personality Test

LORA BECKWITH GENERAL MANAGER

Keeping Them Safe

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

Faces and Places of Affordable Housing

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

• The NRH Strategic Plan was developed

in consultation with stakeholders

• 4 Key Directions emerged:

1. Innovative affordable housing solutions 2. Environmentally responsive and sustainable communities 3. Strong partnerships with stakeholders 4. Adaptable service-delivery network

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

DIRECTION #1 INNOVATIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS

Innovative Affordable Housing Solutions

Waiting List Continues to Grow

• Over 8,000 people are on the affordable housing

waiting list: – 35 % are seniors – 30 % are individuals between 16 and 54 years of age – 35 % are families

• In the past five years, there has been a 5% increase in

the number of households on the waiting list

• Applicants can wait 1-8 years for accommodation

depending on the location.

Affordable Housing Development

• The Federal and Provincial governments

have provided $16.5M for the development

• f 343 units of new affordable housing
• 139 units have already been completed
• 204 units are underway

Innovative Affordable Housing Solutions

100 Private Landlords offer 610 Rent Supplement Units Innovative Affordable Housing Solutions

Rent Supplement / Housing Allowance

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

DIRECTION #2

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIVE & SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

Environmentally Responsive & Sustainable Communities

Energy Conservation

• Building components are

replaced upon life expiry with energy conservation in mind

• Changing people’s habits is

critical to success

New steel doors with moveable window provide an air tight seal while allowing for ventilation and light

Limiting Thermostats are set at a maximum

• f 78 degrees Fahrenheit

DIRECTION #3 STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

Strong Partnerships with Stakeholders From the development of new housing units to the day-to-day enjoyment of those units, the success of affordable housing is increasingly dependent on partnerships

Community Partnerships

Federal and Provincial Governments, Municipalities, Regional Departments, Non-Profit and Co-operative Housing providers, Canadian Mental Health Association, Community Cares, Project Share, Developers, Anagram Premier, Housing Help Centres, Real Estate Board, FACS, Women’s Place, Employment Services, Homelessness Initiative Outreach Program. Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, Credit Counselling of Niagara, Ontario March of Dimes, YMCA Niagara, YWCA, Salvation Army, Community Services (Children and Senior), Public Health (Mental Health and Nutrition) Welland Heritage Council, Addiction Centre, Faith Groups, Hope Centre, Brain Injury Community Re-entry, etc.

Federal/Provincial Partners

• Each year federal funding is lost as agreements end and

mortgages are paid off.

• The rent supplement programs are provided based on

time- limited funding from the Federal/Provincial governments.

• Ten years from now we will have lost funding for 149

units of rent supplement and the full 170 units under the housing allowance program. Or the equivalent of 319 units

• NRH supports the Provincial in its efforts to bring the

Federal government to the table

Strong Partnerships with Stakeholders

Strong Partnerships with Stakeholders

Niagara Region

• In 2002, Niagara Region set up Niagara Regional

Housing as an independent non-profit corporation to act as Service Manager on behalf of Niagara Region

• Niagara Region is one of NRH’s closest partners and

as such we are continually exploring opportunities to improve the delivery of services

• Recently the NRH Board agreed to open the Operating

Agreement with Niagara Region to include any

• perational efficiencies that might benefit our clients

Strong Partnerships with Stakeholders

Capital Investment

There are currently over 7500 units of affordable housing in Niagara. Capital investment in this asset makes good business sense.

• Building condition assessments confirm:

– 18 properties will deplete their capital reserve funds within the next 5 years – Another 29 properties will be depleted by the year 2016

• NRH is reviewing financing options to assist housing

providers

DIRECTION #4 ADAPTABLE SERVICE DELIVERY NETWORK

2008 – 2012 Strategic Plan

Adaptable Service Delivery Network

• Key Objectives

To put the appropriate supports in place that will assist NRH employees and the housing provider network in its work

• Work Priorities

– Provide one-stop resource/service information – Undertake training/education sessions as needed – Improve public perception of affordable housing

SUGAN MANNAVARAJAN

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Wave 1

Projects: 1. 21 King Street,

• St. Catharines, On

2. 290 Oakdale Avenue,

• St. Catharines, On

3. Oakdale Landing Inc.,

• St. Catharines, On

4. Mainstream Gateway,

• St. Catharines, On

5. Capital Pines Inc., Thorold, On 6. MSANF Inc., Niagara Falls, On 7. Bethlehem Not for Profit, Niagara Falls, On 8. Community Living Port Colborne Wainfleet, Port Colborne, On

21 King Street, St. Catharines ON

290 Oakdale Avenue, St. Catharines ON

Oakdale Landing Inc., St. Catharines ON

Mainstream Gateway, St. Catharines ON

Capital Pines Inc., Thorold ON

MSANF Inc., Niagara Falls ON

Bethlehem Not for Profit, Niagara Falls ON

Community Living Port Colborne Wainfleet, Port Colborne, ON

BRENDA DODRIDGE

HOUSING COORDINATOR

WELCOME HOME NIAGARA

Niagara Regional Housing Delivery Plan: Phase 1 (May, 2007) Market rent paying tenants in NRH owed units/Rent Supplement units/Affordable housing waiting list Phase 2 (February 19, 2008) Market rent paying tenants in Non-Profits/Co-ops Phase 3 (April, 2008) General Public

March 31, 2009 – All funding and unit allocations must be committed

WELCOME HOME NIAGARA

Phase 1 Success Stories!

As of April, 2008 the dream of owning a home has become a reality for a total of

4 Tenants 4 Applicants

Niagara Allocation – 121 homes

8

households!!

Quotes from successful purchasers:

“I have been renting for over 10

• years. The best part about owning

my own home is the investment I am making for my future.” “I would like to thank Niagara Regional Housing for all their help and support in making my dream come true.” “My daughter was so excited to pick out her own colour for her new room…. bright PINK!! PINK!!”

WELCOME HOME NIAGARA

QUESTIONS

WENDY THOMPSON

MANAGER RESOURCE UNIT

Your new www.nrh.ca

User-friendly information:

• Definitions
• Explanations
• Clear language
• Simple print

What can you expect from the new NRH website?

Useful information:

• About what you do
• About what you need
• About information and legislation related to affordable

housing

What can you expect from the new NRH website?

• Waitlist information
• Descriptions of communities
• Listing of housing providers
• Forms/documents
• Notices
• Housing Provider Newsletter
• Training Information
• Best Practices (ex. asset management, energy conservation)
• FACT Sheet

New NRH Web will include the following for housing providers…..

• Think about how you use the NRH website
• What information is important to you?
• How would you like to use the NRH website?
• Let your Housing Administrator know your ideas

What do Housing Providers want from the NRH website?

QUESTIONS

JEANETTE MCKAY

SUPERVISOR HOUSING ACCESS

• Draft Application
• Changes
• Questionnaire
• Circulation in Summer/Fall 2008

NEW APPLICATION

LIZ BRILLINGER

HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR

• Household Income
• Legal Status in Canada
• Age Requirement
• Live Independently
• Homeowner
• Modified Units
• Pursuit of Income
• Occupancy Standards
• Arrears to another Affordable Housing Provider

Eligibility must be reviewed at least once in every 12 month period

ONGOING ELIGIBILITY

Household Income

• Full disclosure of all income and assets
• Must include all appropriate supporting documents

Legal Status in Canada

• Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada
• Refugee claimant - need to confirm current status

and that no removal order is in place

Age Requirement

• At least one member of the household must be 16 years
• f age or older

Live Independently

• Household members can live independently with or

without support services

Homeowner

• Within 6 months of receiving RGI assistance a

homeowner must provide verification of the sale of their home

Modified Units

• At least one member of the household must continue to

require the modifications provided by the unit

• The household must meet the criteria set out in O. Reg.

298/01, s. 27 (3)

• Housing Access can determine ongoing eligibility for

modified units

Pursuit of Income

• Confirmation that all members of the household have

pursued all sources of income that they may be eligible for

• Supporting documentation is required

Occupancy Standards

• RGI household must meet occupancy standards
• Supporting documentation of their need for an additional

bedroom

• Housing Access can determine ongoing eligibility for an

additional bedroom

• Current housing provider must confirm that repayment

schedules to other housing providers are being honoured

• Send Housing Access the members/tenants name, date
• f birth, and Social Insurance Number
• Housing Access will check the provincial arrears

database and inform you of the result

Arrears to Another Affordable Housing Provider

What happens if the household does not provide the required documentation?

• Household will be deemed ineligible for subsidy
• A Notice of Market Rent / Housing Charge must be sent

to the household outlining the reasons

• Should the household provide the required

documentation prior to the commencement of market rent the rent/housing charge may be re-calculated

What happens if someone is ineligible?

• Send ineligible letter
• No response from household, rent/housing charge will

be market as of the specified date

• Household requests an internal review

– the housing provider’s appeal committee will hold the review within 10 business days

• Household advised

– decision within 5 business days – that decision is final

• Staff proceed with relevant changes to rent/housing

charge where required

Resources

• NRH forms for Modified Units, Additional bedroom

requests and Arrears are available in the providers section at www.nrh.ca

• Check out the Guide to Rent-Geared-to-Income

Assistance

• Contact either your Housing Administrator or Housing

Access should you have any questions or concerns 905-682-9201

QUESTIONS

DONNA MINO

PROGRAM COST ANALYST

• 5 year capital plan
• Energy conservation plans
• Preventative Maintenance plans

Capital Reserves

Annually the board should ensure that the Capital plan is updated as capital work is:

• Completed
• Deferred or
• Revised

The 5 year capital plan is to be submitted yearly along with your Annual Information Return.

5 Year Capital Plan

Quick fixes include:

• T12 to T8 bulbs
• Switching incandescent light-bulbs to compact

fluorescent

• Annual inspections of toilets and taps for leaks
• Motion sensors on lights in common areas such as

garbage rooms

Major Fixes include:

• Replacing electric makeup air units and electric

domestic hot water tanks with gas if there is gas close to the buildings.

Energy Conservation Plan

• Clean exhaust fans
• Clean furnaces and change filters
• Internal road and parking lot repairs
• Roof repairs
• Scheduling of all annual inspections including

big equipment inspections

Preventative Maintenance Plan

NRH 04 – 01C for Non-Profits and Co-op Providers NRH 04 – 02 for Federal Providers

• Replacement and upgrade of major building components
• Construction of walkways; fencing; or re-grading or construction of

retaining walls

• Paving of driveways and parking lot areas
• Appliances
• Large office equipment
• Large equipment
• Furniture

Reporting Capital Expenditures

NRH 04 – 01C for Non-Profits and Co-op Providers NRH 04 – 02 for Federal Providers

• Building repairs, electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, heating

systems repairs, painting

• Equipment repairs
• Contract services
• Grounds maintenance, tree planting and removing, repairs to

asphalt

• Annual inspections

Reporting Operating Expenditures

Available within the new Annual Information Return (AIR)

• Page D-2 for Non-profits and Co-operatives
• Page B-3 for Federal Providers

Update on Tools for Housing Providers

Social Housing Annual Information Return Second Year Return

Year end:

Unit Activity Data Report - Section 103, 106, Rent Supp.

Page D2

Project Unit Type Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Occ Vac Total Bachelor

• 1 B Apt
• 2 B Apt
• 3 B Apt
• 4 B Apt
• 1 B Apt
• 2 B Apt
• 3 B Apt
• 4 B Apt
• 1 B TH
• 2 B TH
• 3 B TH
• 4 B TH
• 5 B TH
• 1 B TH

2 B TH

• 3 B TH
• 4 B TH
• 5 B TH
• Bachelor
• 1 B Apt
• 2 B Apt
• 3 B Apt
• 4 B Apt
• 1 B Apt
• 2 B Apt
• 3 B Apt
• 4 B Apt
• 1 B TH
• 2 B TH
• 3 B TH
• 4 B TH
• 5 B TH
• 1 B TH
• 2 B TH
• 3 B TH
• 4 B TH
• 5 B TH
• Instructions:

(1) Include the number of units available at the end of each period (whether occupied or vacant) for each classification (2) A unit which becomes vacant retains its classification until it becomes occupied, at which time it assumes the classification of the new occupant (2) See the Guide to the Annual Information Return for the definition of an RGI and Market unit.

• Total RGI Units

MARKET Total Market Units Total Portfolio Units Month Month Month GEARED TO INCOME 12th Month Month Month Month Month Month Month Month Month 8th 9th 10th 11th 4th 5th 6th 7th 1st 2nd 3rd

QUESTIONS