TAMRMS#: B06
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RAP and Income Supplement for Residents in Need
Notice given by: Councillor Joly
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
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That the RAP and Income Supplement for Residents in Need business case be unfunded.
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POSTPONED MOTION ADMINISTRATIVE BACKGROUNDER:
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Administration’s Understanding of Intent Motion:
It is Administration’s understanding that the intent of the Motion is to discontinue all municipal funding towards the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and the Crisis Fund; when the funds are depleted (RAP estimated mid- December 2019 and Crisis Fund December 2020) the City will not provide replenishing funds.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
If Council approves this motion both RAP and the Crisis Fund programs would be eliminated, and related service levels would be removed from the inventory. While the discontinuation of both programs will have minimal impact on city staffing and workload, it could have implications for the Community Village and Food Bank who, with United Way funding, have employed a social worker to administer RAP and subsequently provide additional supports to those in need. If RAP is discontinued, United Way funding for this social worker position could be eliminated.
Financial Implications of Motions:
The motion would save the City of St. Albert $60,000 in 2020.
Stakeholder Consultations:
There is likely to be a strong community response to the elimination of the programs and the timing of its announcement (holiday season). As such, strong key messages that outline a clear rationale should be crafted.
Background:
RAP has been providing supports for over a decade. There are currently 42 residents in 20 households, depending on the program; without RAP, there are 19 children, 9 adults, and 14 seniors who will be at high risk of homelessness unless they can identify an affordable solution in another community. The termination of this program will also add increased risk to the 300 monthly food hamper recipient households, most of whom are currently spending more than 50% of their income on lodging which significantly increases their housing vulnerability. Given that the current funds are nearly depleted, the RAP program will terminate in December 2019. If this program is not supported, going forward, there with little opportunity for notice to the residents who rely on the program.
The Crisis Fund was intended to be a safety net that supports residents with issues that would otherwise launch them into crisis. Historically this has included post secondary applications, medications, transportation, but primarily assistance to keep people housed (i.e. augmenting what Alberta Supports provides for a damage deposit or paying for one-time moving costs, if it means the person will now live in a dwelling they can afford). It was anticipated that this fund could continue until December 2020 at which case a request would be made to Council for additional funding. However, if RAP is discontinued, the Crisis Fund may need to be utilized to help many of the 42 people who would probably be forced to leave their homes, likely resulting in the fund being depleted by March 2020.
The 2020 forecasted need for a streamlined RAP and Crisis Fund into the Income Supplement for Residents in Need was $150,000. The $30,000 balance in the Crisis Fund reduced the need to $120,000 in 2020. Due to times of austerity, Administration only requested $60,000 in order to support the most vulnerable while beginning to transition others off the program. The abrupt conclusion of the program could have serious implications in the community for those in most in need.
Report Date: November 21, 2019
Author: Cindy de Bruijn
Committee/Department: Community Services Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble