American Case Studies Case Study: Chicago IL Chicago, with its population of 2.8 million, is now the largest jurisdiction with an inclusionary zoning program. Recently adopted after resistance from a powerful mayor, this program represents a political compromise that falls short of what was sought by the proponents of the program. Download a PDF Case Study: […]
Archives for March 2010
Hate Crimes And Homelessness: Metropolis Presentation Slides
At the national Metropolis conference in Montreal on March 20, 2010, Michael Shapcott joined a panel of experts to talk about hate crimes in Canada. His presentation focused on hate crimes and homelessness, taking lessons from from the homicide of Paul Croutch in 2005.
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Social infrastructure eroding across Canada; cities being forced to paper the gaps
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has released its latest review of the quality of life in Canada’s large cities. Mending Canada’s Frayed Social Safety Net: The Role of Municipal Governments demonstrates that eroding social infrastructure in the large communities where most of Canada’s population lives is not only pushing up rates of homelessness and other social […]
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Federal budget 2010 and housing: Last year’s promises will be kept, but no new dollars
Today’s federal budget confirms the housing promises made last year (about $2 billion in new spending, mostly for new homes and repairs to existing housing), but adds nothing new (see page 236 of the main budget document).
Ontario Throne Speech: Non-profits are ‘unsung heroes’ of provincial economy
The new session of the Ontario Legislature was launched earlier this afternoon with the traditional Speech from the Throne which included a strong expression of support for the tens of thousands of non-profit groups that make a vital contribution to health, housing, social services, culture, recreation, faith and many other essential components of our community.
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Video: A home for everyone everywhere in Toronto
Inclusionary housing / inclusionary planning is a simple and practical tool already in use in hundreds of US cities. Watch a five-minute video on health, equity and housing on Toronto’s 2010 municipal election agenda by Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott.
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Inclusionary housing plan would reduce TO's commuting crisis
The Toronto Board of Trade’s 2010 prosperity report card underlines the costs of automobile commuting in Toronto. TO comes dead last in TBOT’s global survey of 19 cities on commuting time, with Torontonians stuck in traffic an average of 80 minutes versus world-leader Barcelona at a relatively brisk 48 minutes. One key reason for the […]
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Hundreds of US cities have rules to ensure inclusive, healthy communities: Why not here???
Hundreds of US cities, and a number of US states, have inclusionary housing planning policies that ensure that a fixed percentage of all new homes are affordable to low and moderate-income households. It’s no surprise that private developers in Toronto are upset at the thought that such a sensible idea would be imported to […]
Overall, health of Britons is increasing, but not everyone is benefitting
The UK Audit Commission has released a new 10-year review of health inequalities that begins with these words: “The health of people in England has improved over the past ten years. Life expectancy has increased, infant mortality has fallen. Government targets to cut death from heart disease and stroke by 2010 have already been met. […]
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National housing act bill goes for HUMA review on Monday
Bill C-304, the private members’ bill from MP Libby Davies to create a much-needed national housing act for Canada, will get clause-by-clause review at the Commons’ HUMA committee on Monday afternoon. A number of groups, including the Wellesley Institute, have been pressing for amendments to strengthen the draft legislation – and the changes that are […]
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