Building Capacity Together
Toronto Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) Workshop Series
for Service Providers Working with Vulnerable Newcomers
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Background
For years, Toronto has been facing what some call a "housing crisis." Finding an affordable home to rent is extremely difficult, especially for vulnerable newcomers. Service providers who provide housing support to newcomers are finding it to be increasingly hard, and sometimes even impossible, to find newcomers housing.
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Learn about the current state of housing in Toronto.
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Understand newcomer-specific challenges, obstacles and barriers to finding housing.
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Learn about which housing benefits are available, what they provide, and how they work. Also learn the eligibility requirements and how to apply for each benefit.
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Learn about why it is important to provide a housing orientation for newcomers, and detailed information about how to conduct an informative and useful housing orientation.
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Receive tips about how to find private accommodations for vulnerable newcomers.
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Receive tips and ideas about how to build relationships with landlords.
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Learn about eviction prevention, including information about:
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the Residential Tenancies Act;
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what tenants can and cannot be evicted for;
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types of eviction;
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the eviction process;
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what to do if a newcomer you are working with has been threatened with eviction;
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particularly vulnerable tenants that do not have protections available to them;
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tenant organizing;
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where to go if you have questions or require any support.
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Objectives
Background
Objectives
Agenda
Part 1 - A Snapshot of Housing for Newcomers
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Current state of housing in Toronto
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Joeita Gupta, Coordinator, Tenant School, Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)
Housing benefits overview (including immigration status & eligibility)
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Richard Marshall, Housing Consultant, City of Toronto Housing Stability Services Unit
Providing a housing orientation for newcomers
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Steve Meagher, Shelter Manager, Christie Refugee Welcome Centre
Q&A
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Part 2 - Finding & Keeping Private Accommodations
Tips for finding private accommodations & building relationships with landlords
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Ashtar Ojanes, Housing Counsellor, COSTI
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Eviction prevention
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Joeita Gupta, Coordinator, Tenant School, Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)
Q&A
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December 12, 2018
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Richard Marshall
Housing Consultant
City of Toronto Housing Stability Services Unit
Steve Meagher
Shelter Manager
Christie Refugee Welcome Centre
Ashtar Ojanes
Housing Counsellor
COSTI
Joeita Gupta
Coordinator, Tenant School
Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)
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(Moderator) Nadine Nasir
Adult Educator
Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership
Speakers
Agenda
Speakers
Exercises
Due to the nature of this subject, there were no exercises. This was an "information session" consisting of 2 panel discussions including a total of 4 panelists.
December 12, 2018
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Presentations
Exercises
Presentations
Room Set-up
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A table is required at the front of the room with chairs for the panelists.
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For participants, set up round tables with chairs around them. It is helpful if all chairs face the screen at the front of the room.
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A projector and screen are required to display the speakers' PowerPoint presentations.
Housing and Homelessness Services Glossary
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Information about Special Priority Program for Victims of Domestic Violence or Human Trafficking
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Information about Subsidized Housing and Housing Allowances
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