The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Modular Housing Initiative Phase 2, and to request Council authority to enable City Divisions to restart and complete the projects at 175 Cummer Ave., and 39 Dundalk Dr., respectively, by approving Purchase Order Amendments for both projects to ensure funding is in place to complete required work. In April 2020, as an urgent response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on people experiencing homelessness, the City launched the Modular Housing Initiative to rapidly create at least 250 new rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes using modular construction. Four of five projects have since been tenanted, providing a safe, affordable place to call home for over 200 residents formerly experiencing homelessness, with wrap-around support services to help them maintain their housing and improve their health and well-being. The project at 175 Cummer Avenue was announced in Spring 2021 as part of Phase Two of the Modular Housing Initiative, along with 540 Cedarvale Ave. and 39 Dundalk Dr. While Cedarvale is complete and Dundalk is nearing completion with only landscaping and a review of costs escalations remaining, the project at 175 Cummer Ave was delayed, first because Council’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order did not yield a response, and second because of an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) of Council’s approval of the new zoning by-law for the development in August 2022. A hearing of the appeal was held at the OLT on November 2, 2023. On January 2, 2024 the OLT released its decision, dismissing the appeal and ruling in the City’s favour. The appellants later requested a further review of the OLT’s decision on January 31, 2024, but this request was dismissed by the OLT on February 22, 2024. A motion for leave to appeal the OLT’s decision to Ontario Divisional Court was also denied on May 17, 2024. While the appellants have since made a judicial review application to the Divisional Court to challenge the OLT decision, the OLT decision stands, and zoning is in place to permit the proposed development to proceed. This report requests authority to enable City Divisions to restart and complete the projects at 175 Cummer Ave., and 39 Dundalk Dr., respectively, by approving Purchase Order Amendments for both projects to ensure funding is in place to complete required work. The Confidential Attachments include confidential information regarding the pricing for these projects under negotiation with the City’s supplier, estimated costs to complete the projects, and confidential information related to delivery of the project at 175 Cummer Ave.
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