Create a briefing paper/summary report to provide information quickly and effectively about a social issue focused on barriers to accessing housing. By “barriers to accessing housing” or “individuals in need of housing,” the Green Violin Community Development Company is focused on the ability of individuals to find appropriate housing in a timely manner. The words are “appropriate” and “timely” are significant. When talking about “appropriate”, we emphasize the following:

i. Housing that matches the income that individual has to put towards housing. At the far end of the spectrum is the individual with no money to use towards housing and therefore is homeless (or is dependent on others for housing as in the case of couch surfing, squatting, or living with one’s friends and family). There are also those who are “precariously” housed, which sometimes translates to having to make the decision of whether to pay rent or buy groceries. The Green Violin narrative uses the phrase “housing affordability” to separate it from the City’s definition of “Affordable Housing” (which is housing that is subsidized in any manner by any level of government) which they also call “non-market housing”.

ii. ii. Housing that matches the physical needs of the individual. In the case of wheelchair users, the need is for barrier free or accessible housing. There might be housing units that fit all the other criteria, but if accessibility isn’t provided, then that housing is not appropriate.

iii. iii. Housing that matches the social needs of the individual. This is the really interesting part of Green Violin projects, “...how do we make socially inclusive housing?” At the near end of the affordability spectrum, we often hear of the suburbs as being rich, safe, and socially empty. People don’t know their neighbours, there are no social gathering areas to walk to, and isolation is a major concern. The CP would argue that those people experiencing isolation are “in need of housing” that allows for more social connectivity.

More specifically, the report is to focus on one of the following two groups experiencing barriers to accessing housing: (a) urban Indigenous populations in need of housing and (b) LGBTQ seniors in need of inclusive housing. Related to the appropriate housing criteria listed above, for the CP, when talking about the housing needs of Urban Indigenous populations or the LBGTQ seniors, it is the third “social needs” that must be met through housing. Housing that is inclusive, cooperative, social, and nurturing.

Students will find, gather, and report on information from a variety of sources (academic sources and grey literature) about key research findings and considerations. The report will be used to raise awareness during public engagement sessions and to support funding applications.

Although not limited to the following, the report is to include:

a) provide key background and contextual information about the social issue.

b) provide a needs assessment – in other words, describe the gaps between current conditions and desired conditions for the selected group (i.e., either urban Indigenous populations in need of housing or LGBTQ seniors in need of inclusive housing).

c) identity and describe relevant policies and useful initiatives, programs, and/or resources in place to address this social issue in Edmonton and Alberta.