HIV/AIDS is above all else shaped by the social determinants of health. Incidence — and inequitable access to vital treatment and support services — is worse among Aboriginal people, women, racialized communities, IV drug users and other poor and marginalized communities, and in poorer countries. But it has also been massive mobilization out of the communities […]
Archives for December 2010
Gender inequity is at the heart of the HIV/AIDS crisis
Last week, I attended a talk by the always-wonderful Stephen Lewis on the Give a Day initiative, a grassroots response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Give A Day challenges each Canadian to recognize World AIDS Day – today – by giving one day’s pay to the Stephen Lewis Foundation in their fight against what Lewis describes […]
Continue ReadingGender inequity is at the heart of the HIV/AIDS crisis
A Guide to Developing an Inclusionary Housing Program
This guide identifies the main aspects of inclusionary housing that should be addressed in order to implement an effective program, and also the main principles and key practices that should be followed when addressing those aspects. It does not attempt to draft a model bylaw nor to set out specific regulations. In many cases, those […]
Continue ReadingA Guide to Developing an Inclusionary Housing Program
Affordable Housing Mandates
This report reviews the affordable housing mandates that have been used by uppertier jurisdictions in the US and Canada. The mandates include those in the four states of New Jersey, California, Massachusetts and Connecticut; the two provinces of British Columbia and Ontario; and the two metropolitan areas of Portland, Oregon and Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota (also […]
An easy guide to creating healthy, inclusive neighbourhoods with a good mix of housing
A healthy, inclusive neighbourhood includes a good mix of housing for all households and all incomes. But it doesn’t happen by accident. Private developers build for the market. Market ownership costs and market rents are unaffordable to low, moderate and even middle-income households. Hundreds of US cities use a set of tools and rules to […]
Ontario’s 2011 Budget Can Build Healthy, Inclusive Province With Investments In Homes, Social Ventures
Later today, I’m joining Rick Blickstead, CEO of the Wellesley Institute, for a meeting with Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan. We appreciate the opportunity to deliver practical and pragmatic recommendations about how Ontario’s 2011 budget can build a healthy, inclusive province. A good income and good housing is vital for population health, as research from the Wellesley Institute […]
The Perils, And Potential, Of Greater Toronto’s 2,000 High-rise Communities: New Report
More than one million people live in almost two thousand high-rise apartment towers in the Greater Golden Horseshoe – the largest urban region in Canada. Tower Renewal in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is the first detailed examination of the greater Toronto region’s vertical communities. The report notes that most buildings are concentrated in areas of high social need, […]
More Resources On HEIA And HIA
Here are a few places providing more information about and examples of equity-focused health impact assessment:
Painfully Low Vacancy Rates, Shrinking Number Of Homes: New National Report Underlines Rental Housing Woes Across Canada
The vacancy rate in Canada’s private rental housing market has slipped to a painfully low 2.6% in the country’s larger urban areas (where most renters live), according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. CMHC’s rental market report, released this morning, shows average rents have increased by 2.9% over the past year – faster than inflation. […]
CMHC Survey Confirms Ontario Tenants Face Rising Rents, Shrinking Supply; Underlines Need For Comprehensive Housing Plan
One major gap in Ontario’s draft long-term affordable housing strategy is the lack of policy on critical issues in the private rental market, including unaffordable rents and lack of adequate supply of rental units. Many low and moderate and middle-income households live in private rental housing. The latest Ontario private rental market report from Canada Mortgage and […]