Converting closed schools could...

MARK-ALAN WHITTLE
Embrace change … make it work CONTACT MARK
CONVERTING CLOSED SCHOOLS COULD…

-----Original Message-----
To: All city of Hamilton Councillors
Subject: Converting closed schools into Group Homes could…
…provide residential accommodation in community settings staffed and operated by non-profit community agencies. Group homes provide life-skills training and supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
-- Mark Alan Whittle
p.s. Let me know what you think of this idea. The Social Housing Reform Act gives Hamilton council the ability to plan and deliver housing programs that will do the most good for disabled people in their communities. Providing $103 million to assist Ontario municipalities with the transfer and start-up costs of local housing programs should include initiatives that will be a direct benefit to the disabled in their quest for social housing where they can live and learn together in groups.
-----Original Message Replies-----
From: Kelly, Bill
Subject: Converting closed schools into Group Homes could...

Hi Mark...
The idea you suggest is not a new one. Last fall, when it became apparent that school properties may become available, we discussed this and other possible strategies.
The problem, as always, is money. Although the Social Housing Reform Act gives council the authority to deliver these programs, they don't supply a funding source. On that topic, let me clarify your reference to the 'assistance' offered by the Province. That $103 million (of which only $4.2 million is earmarked for Hamilton) is not for new housing initiatives. It is money (some of it Federal money actually) which is owed to employees transferred from the Province and for administrative transition costs related to that transfer. In other words, although it may look good on a press release, that money is already spent and not available for us to do what really needs to be done.
Basically, with no funding from the Province and no commitment from the Feds, the cost of new housing initiatives would be funded totally from property taxes.
In summary, this is an initiative that would cost millions of dollars which would have to be funded from the residential tax base and given the financial circumstance that the city is in right now, that cost is prohibitive.
Hope this information helps.
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From: Collins, Chad
Subject: Converting closed schools into Group Homes could...

Mark, the issue of what happens to the use of the buildings is really up to the school board, I believe. Once a building is closed for educational purposes, the property is offered to the other school board within the municipality. If memory serves me right, the building is then offered to the City. If both offers are met with no interest, the building is sold on the open market, and the proceeds from the sale are transferred to the province.
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From: DiIanni, Larry
Subject: Converting closed schools into Group Homes could...

Mark, the idea is worthwhile and could be pursued. Much needs to be done for housing in this community. I have been asked to sit on the nonprofit Housing Corp and hope to help address some issues. In terms of using closed schools, though, the issue is complicated by the rules of disposal that the ministry of education imposes on Boards when they close buildings. Often, it is more advantageous to return the property to the Ontario Realty Corp. than it is to turn it over to any other agency. If ORC turns the school down, the coterminous board (catholic, if the property is being closed by the public Board and vice versa) and finally the municipality gets dibs. We are so far down the food chain that schools seldom are made available to us. The other option the Board has is to sell the property on the open market.
If they do that, they use the profits to build new schools. See the complications? Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.

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