Report to Council Re: Draft Tenant Assistance Policy
The concluding portion of a staff report regarding the proposed Tenant Assistance Policy, summarizing legal counsel advice and recommending approval with specific amendments.
rezoning application. Section 3 should be considered as best practice guidance for the submission.”
A non-profit housing provider can provide some documentation on their tenant assistance if it is not an administrative burden, but it would not be required as a condition of rezoning.
Section 5 Vacant Units
The Town’s legal counsel informed staff that the following statement in Section 5 is not enforceable and should be deleted:
“The Tenant Assistance Policy may be applied retroactively, if tenants are found to have been evicted prematurely (for example, a notice to end tenancy for demolition was serviced without property permits and approvals in place.”
Section 6 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
The bulleted information in Section 6 comes from Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), which applies to the Town’s use and collection of information, and not the applicants. The developer, not the municipality, is the party collecting the personal information in the TAP. The developer is not a public body and therefore, the provisions of Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) apply and should be referenced in Section 6 instead. This section in the Policy has been amended accordingly (attached).
SUSTAINABILITY/CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS:
There are no sustainability or climate change impacts associated with this draft Policy.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications for the Town associated with implementing this draft Policy.
ALTERNATIVE:
That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
CONCLUSION:
Several local jurisdictions are establishing TAPs to provide clear direction for property owners and developers regarding support for current residential tenants who are being permanently displaced through redevelopment or renovations. Staff conducted a jurisdictional review to gain knowledge of other TAPs that have been recently adopted by local governments in the region and to understand what could potentially be appropriate within the Town’s context. Following the review, Staff is recommending changes to certain sections on policy coverage, right of first refusal, exemptions, vacant units, and collection of personal information, should Council wish to adopt a Policy.
| CONCURRENCE: | Initials | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Administrative Officer | KA | Recommend Approval |
| REVIEWED BY: | Initials |
|---|---|
| Director of Corporate Administration | SJ |
| Director of Finance | n/a |
| Director of Development Services | LT |
| Director of Engineering and Parks | n/a |
| Director of Protective Services | n/a |
ATTACHMENTS:
- Attachment 1: Draft Tenant Assistance Policy with proposed changes
- Attachment 2: District of Saanich’s Stakeholder Engagement Summary.