- Sally Turner, York University This research project analyzes the contribution of private non-profit (PNP) organizations to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, and identifies some of the most significant barriers they face. It is found that PNP organizations make a large contribution to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, particularly through their dedication to holistic care. As primarily small-scale organizations however, they face significant barriers which could potentially be reduced through increased, more flexible funding at all levels of government, and greater communication to ensure that programs adequately and appropriately address the needs of PNP housing providers.

- Jeff May, York University This paper analyzes the theoretical and practical implications of whether living in social housing has positive or negative effects on the ability of residents to gain access to other essential social services (education, health care, immigration services, childcare, and other). The concepts of social inclusion, integration of services, and connectivity of people to services in Toronto are analyzed. The primary findings of this research indicate that people do achieve connectivity but get it through less formal channels such as neighbourhood social networks. This paper concludes with some implications of this research for policy, which include suggestions that still more practical integration of services is needed and that more could be made of pre-existing social networks that allow for connectivity to services.

- Joël Thibert, McGill University This research project describes and analyzes the policy, planning and design processes that led to the creation of three recent socially-mixed projects in the regions of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. There is general agreement that social inclusion is an important goal for social housing sustainability. It is also well-established that the realization of socially-mixed projects is generally more complex. It is recommended, among other things that local governments take an active role in ensuring a “proper mix” at the project level without using coercive measures and that the experience of providers and consultants be considered in project selection and transmitted more effectively.

- Mary Pitt, McGill University   This research explores the link between the theory, policy and practice of energy-efficient social housing. The theory addresses the general question of “What is energy-efficient housing?”, and “Why is it that not all social housing is energy efficient?” Current policy and programs in Ontario are reviewed to discover what current incentives and opportunities there are for enhancing the energy efficiency of affordable housing. The practice in Ottawa is examined and used to inform policy recommendations for Ontario. The report finishes with general conclusions of how theory, policy and practice overlap, and suggest further avenues for research.

- Allison Jones, University of British Columbia Low-income seniors’ ability to age at home, with supports available to accommodate their changing needs, is an issue of critical importance to all Canadians. This research investigates housing and care options for low-income seniors in Ontario. The report focuses on supportive housing for low-income seniors who can no longer function entirely independently due to declining health. Seniors’ supportive housing programs in British Columbia provide a provincial example of seniors’ support services and social housing integration. Policy recommendations are offered.

- Carla Schuk In the early 1990’s decentralization of social housing programs from federal to provincial governments was implemented in an effort to reduce federal budget costs. These services were further decentralized down to municipalities in Ontario in 2001, but remained centralized in other provinces such as British Columbia. Decentralization was promoted as a way to streamline housing programs and increase the efficiency of implementation through local governments addressing local housing issues. This report explores both centralized and decentralized housing models in British Columbia and Ontario and examines how theoretical models have been adapted to overcome the trade-offs associated with them.

- Helen Looker In April 2005, the federal and Ontario governments jointly invested $734 million in the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (COAHP) with more than $28 million dedicated to the COAHP Homeownership Component. The COAHP was implemented to help 20,000 low to moderate income households make the transition from renting, to home ownership through assisted down payments. This paper assesses the variable uptake of the COAHP Homeownership Component and critically analyzes the presumption that home ownership represents a necessarily positive trajectory for low and middle income Canadian households.

- Arif Jinha   In January 2009 the federal government had allocated about $2 billion toward social housing. This level of spending was a reversal of the platforms of all parties running and part of a global response of economic stimulus spending to pump prime economies. This paper provides an early look at the significance of the recession and stimulus spending to affordable housing in Ontario.

In anticipation of the Minister’s 2009 affordable housing consultations HSC commissioned this paper. It emphasizes sustainability in the housing sector, regulatory requirements, and housing programs which shape the production of new affordable housing.

Unlike many other social services, social housing is a sector that must battle with the perception that its value must be substantiated. This paper outlines data and research strategies to cast new light on the wider social and economic value of social housing.

- David Wachsmuth As Ontario comes to rely increasingly on immigration to fuel economic and demographic growth, the question of how to effectively house newcomers is gaining importance. Most academic and policy research in Canada has focused on Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, but so-called “second-tier” cities such as Ottawa, Hamilton and Windsor now accept almost one in five new Ontarians and the proportion is growing each year. This report examines the challenges medium-sized cities face in housing immigrants and the current and potential policy responses.

- Abigail Friendly Despite high levels of economic prosperity in Canada, food insecurity is increasingly being recognized as an issue that lacks a coherent policy response at both federal and local levels. The concentration of low-income populations in social housing makes the problem especially acute for social housing residents and providers. The purpose of this report is to help develop food security policy, with a specific focus on social housing providers in Canadian cities. The report concludes with community food security (CFS) policy recommendations aimed at social housing providers in Canadian cities.

- Alex Moskalyk The goals of this research are, first, to review and conduct original research on the role currently played by public-private partnerships (PPPs) in sustainable social housing development in Canada and, second, to explore policy options and assess their potential for funding social housing. This paper explains the function that governments and the private sector can play in enhancing and optimizing the role of PPP development. This report ends with policy recommendations that may support future program initiatives that encourage PPP-based social housing in Canada.

This report, prepared as part of the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review process, speaks to 3 key areas related to income-redistribution and social housing which harm both tenants and municipalities: the $175 million municipal subsidy paid to subsidize the rents of OW/ODSP clients living in social housing, the program disincentives which dissuade tenants from full-time employment, and the need for better service integration between and within levels of government. The resourcefulness of our social housing residents should not be underestimated. Ontario can lead the way in transforming social housing to communities of hope and livelihood.

- Sally Turner, York University This research project analyzes the contribution of private non-profit (PNP) organizations to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, and identifies some of the most significant barriers they face. It is found that PNP organizations make a large contribution to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, particularly through their dedication to holistic care. As primarily small-scale organizations however, they face significant barriers which could potentially be reduced through increased, more flexible funding at all levels of government, and greater communication to ensure that programs adequately and appropriately address the needs of PNP housing providers.

- Jeff May, York University This paper analyzes the theoretical and practical implications of whether living in social housing has positive or negative effects on the ability of residents to gain access to other essential social services (education, health care, immigration services, childcare, and other). The concepts of social inclusion, integration of services, and connectivity of people to services in Toronto are analyzed. The primary findings of this research indicate that people do achieve connectivity but get it through less formal channels such as neighbourhood social networks. This paper concludes with some implications of this research for policy, which include suggestions that still more practical integration of services is needed and that more could be made of pre-existing social networks that allow for connectivity to services.

- Michel Molgat Sereacki, Université de Montréal This research paper analyzes potential avenues for strengthening housing governance through the collaboration between levels of government. The paper constructs an analytical framework for examining cases from Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The lessons from the three cases echo important elements from the literature highlighting considerations for future endeavours; most notable is the importance of good design, an adequate political, material and financial support to the success of a project or initiative. Among the recommendations made, it is important that the federal and provincial governments take a more proactive role in strengthening the link between housing and their respective policy directions.

- Joël Thibert, McGill University This research project describes and analyzes the policy, planning and design processes that led to the creation of three recent socially-mixed projects in the regions of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. There is general agreement that social inclusion is an important goal for social housing sustainability. It is also well-established that the realization of socially-mixed projects is generally more complex. It is recommended, among other things that local governments take an active role in ensuring a “proper mix” at the project level without using coercive measures and that the experience of providers and consultants be considered in project selection and transmitted more effectively.

- Mary Pitt, McGill University   This research explores the link between the theory, policy and practice of energy-efficient social housing. The theory addresses the general question of “What is energy-efficient housing?”, and “Why is it that not all social housing is energy efficient?” Current policy and programs in Ontario are reviewed to discover what current incentives and opportunities there are for enhancing the energy efficiency of affordable housing. The practice in Ottawa is examined and used to inform policy recommendations for Ontario. The report finishes with general conclusions of how theory, policy and practice overlap, and suggest further avenues for research.

- Allison Jones, University of British Columbia Low-income seniors’ ability to age at home, with supports available to accommodate their changing needs, is an issue of critical importance to all Canadians. This research investigates housing and care options for low-income seniors in Ontario. The report focuses on supportive housing for low-income seniors who can no longer function entirely independently due to declining health. Seniors’ supportive housing programs in British Columbia provide a provincial example of seniors’ support services and social housing integration. Policy recommendations are offered.

- Carla Schuk In the early 1990’s decentralization of social housing programs from federal to provincial governments was implemented in an effort to reduce federal budget costs. These services were further decentralized down to municipalities in Ontario in 2001, but remained centralized in other provinces such as British Columbia. Decentralization was promoted as a way to streamline housing programs and increase the efficiency of implementation through local governments addressing local housing issues. This report explores both centralized and decentralized housing models in British Columbia and Ontario and examines how theoretical models have been adapted to overcome the trade-offs associated with them.

- Helen Looker In April 2005, the federal and Ontario governments jointly invested $734 million in the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (COAHP) with more than $28 million dedicated to the COAHP Homeownership Component. The COAHP was implemented to help 20,000 low to moderate income households make the transition from renting, to home ownership through assisted down payments. This paper assesses the variable uptake of the COAHP Homeownership Component and critically analyzes the presumption that home ownership represents a necessarily positive trajectory for low and middle income Canadian households.

- Arif Jinha   In January 2009 the federal government had allocated about $2 billion toward social housing. This level of spending was a reversal of the platforms of all parties running and part of a global response of economic stimulus spending to pump prime economies. This paper provides an early look at the significance of the recession and stimulus spending to affordable housing in Ontario.

In anticipation of the Minister’s 2009 affordable housing consultations HSC commissioned this paper. It emphasizes sustainability in the housing sector, regulatory requirements, and housing programs which shape the production of new affordable housing.

Unlike many other social services, social housing is a sector that must battle with the perception that its value must be substantiated. This paper outlines data and research strategies to cast new light on the wider social and economic value of social housing.

This discussion paper, prepared as part of the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review process, asserts that healthy and safe communities are sustainable only when local energies and entrepreneurship are released, when the bricks and mortar are in good repair, and when the cost of physical and social well-being is affordable to all. These three elements form a pyramid of interconnected strategic objectives - ensuring the livelihoods of our communities by developing a sustainable financial framework and creating a basis for social businesses to deliver housing.

- David Wachsmuth As Ontario comes to rely increasingly on immigration to fuel economic and demographic growth, the question of how to effectively house newcomers is gaining importance. Most academic and policy research in Canada has focused on Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, but so-called “second-tier” cities such as Ottawa, Hamilton and Windsor now accept almost one in five new Ontarians and the proportion is growing each year. This report examines the challenges medium-sized cities face in housing immigrants and the current and potential policy responses.

- Abigail Friendly Despite high levels of economic prosperity in Canada, food insecurity is increasingly being recognized as an issue that lacks a coherent policy response at both federal and local levels. The concentration of low-income populations in social housing makes the problem especially acute for social housing residents and providers. The purpose of this report is to help develop food security policy, with a specific focus on social housing providers in Canadian cities. The report concludes with community food security (CFS) policy recommendations aimed at social housing providers in Canadian cities.

- Alex Moskalyk The goals of this research are, first, to review and conduct original research on the role currently played by public-private partnerships (PPPs) in sustainable social housing development in Canada and, second, to explore policy options and assess their potential for funding social housing. This paper explains the function that governments and the private sector can play in enhancing and optimizing the role of PPP development. This report ends with policy recommendations that may support future program initiatives that encourage PPP-based social housing in Canada.

This report, prepared as part of the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review process, speaks to 3 key areas related to income-redistribution and social housing which harm both tenants and municipalities: the $175 million municipal subsidy paid to subsidize the rents of OW/ODSP clients living in social housing, the program disincentives which dissuade tenants from full-time employment, and the need for better service integration between and within levels of government. The resourcefulness of our social housing residents should not be underestimated. Ontario can lead the way in transforming social housing to communities of hope and livelihood.

- Sally Turner, York University This research project analyzes the contribution of private non-profit (PNP) organizations to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, and identifies some of the most significant barriers they face. It is found that PNP organizations make a large contribution to Toronto’s subsidized housing system, particularly through their dedication to holistic care. As primarily small-scale organizations however, they face significant barriers which could potentially be reduced through increased, more flexible funding at all levels of government, and greater communication to ensure that programs adequately and appropriately address the needs of PNP housing providers.

- Jeff May, York University This paper analyzes the theoretical and practical implications of whether living in social housing has positive or negative effects on the ability of residents to gain access to other essential social services (education, health care, immigration services, childcare, and other). The concepts of social inclusion, integration of services, and connectivity of people to services in Toronto are analyzed. The primary findings of this research indicate that people do achieve connectivity but get it through less formal channels such as neighbourhood social networks. This paper concludes with some implications of this research for policy, which include suggestions that still more practical integration of services is needed and that more could be made of pre-existing social networks that allow for connectivity to services.

- Michel Molgat Sereacki, Université de Montréal This research paper analyzes potential avenues for strengthening housing governance through the collaboration between levels of government. The paper constructs an analytical framework for examining cases from Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The lessons from the three cases echo important elements from the literature highlighting considerations for future endeavours; most notable is the importance of good design, an adequate political, material and financial support to the success of a project or initiative. Among the recommendations made, it is important that the federal and provincial governments take a more proactive role in strengthening the link between housing and their respective policy directions.

- Joël Thibert, McGill University This research project describes and analyzes the policy, planning and design processes that led to the creation of three recent socially-mixed projects in the regions of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. There is general agreement that social inclusion is an important goal for social housing sustainability. It is also well-established that the realization of socially-mixed projects is generally more complex. It is recommended, among other things that local governments take an active role in ensuring a “proper mix” at the project level without using coercive measures and that the experience of providers and consultants be considered in project selection and transmitted more effectively.

- Mary Pitt, McGill University   This research explores the link between the theory, policy and practice of energy-efficient social housing. The theory addresses the general question of “What is energy-efficient housing?”, and “Why is it that not all social housing is energy efficient?” Current policy and programs in Ontario are reviewed to discover what current incentives and opportunities there are for enhancing the energy efficiency of affordable housing. The practice in Ottawa is examined and used to inform policy recommendations for Ontario. The report finishes with general conclusions of how theory, policy and practice overlap, and suggest further avenues for research.

- Allison Jones, University of British Columbia Low-income seniors’ ability to age at home, with supports available to accommodate their changing needs, is an issue of critical importance to all Canadians. This research investigates housing and care options for low-income seniors in Ontario. The report focuses on supportive housing for low-income seniors who can no longer function entirely independently due to declining health. Seniors’ supportive housing programs in British Columbia provide a provincial example of seniors’ support services and social housing integration. Policy recommendations are offered.