Meeting Summary

Full Committee

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Toronto, Ontario

The Full Committee meeting took place on the final day of a far-reaching three-day spring session. It began with a welcome address by co-chair John Black, CMHC, who introduced Michael Buda, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as the new co-chair beginning a two-year term. Mr. Buda replaces Doug Page from the Province of British Columbia.

Introductions continued for Steven Mennill, CMHC’s new Executive Director of Policy and Research, who will be actively involved in NHRC and its initiatives. Mr. Black expressed his pleasure with the attendance at this meeting, which shows the importance of the committee’s ongoing work and the results and achievements recorded to date.

Mr. Buda reminded the committee that NHRC has been in operation for 23 years, representing a significant legacy. The renewal work continues with the new NHRC website and the live webcast format that brings members together and reaches a much greater audience across the country. A special welcome was extended to the two new rotating position members: Mark Gorgolewski of Ryerson University, representing the academic rotating position and Debbie Cercone of the City of Windsor representing the municipal rotating position.

New members were welcomed: Vincent Brescia, Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations; François Lavoie, Health Canada; Jim Elders, Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation; Madhavi Patel and Karla Rhody, both of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Shauna Wouters, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation; and David Stansen, NHRC coordinator.

Following these introductions, the Administrative Committee was thanked for developing the day’s agenda: Karen Hemmingson, B.C. Housing; John Hoehn Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation; Madhavi Patel, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Don Johnston, CHBA; and Susan Irwin, Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Special thanks were extended to Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, City of Toronto and CMHC’s Ontario Business Centre for their help in planning the day’s agenda and the successful bus tour held on Monday afternoon.

Mr. Black reminded members of the purpose of meeting. The NHRC represents a wide range of organizations, associations and governments interested in housing research and meets formally twice a year. The NHRC addresses four objectives: 1) to identify priority areas for housing-related research or demonstration; 2) to encourage greater cooperation and develop partnerships that minimize overlap in research activities; 3) to encourage support for housing research, and 4) to promote dissemination, application and adoption of research results.

Mr. Buda reviewed the day’s agenda prior to introducing the first agenda item.

Reports from the NHRC Working Groups

Co-chairs of the four NHRC working groups provided brief overviews of key issues made during presentations to each group.

Homelessness Working Group co-chairs, Sharon Mason, HRSDC – Homelessness Partnering Secretariat, and Dan Troke, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, commented that the four presentations made during this session provided a regional focus on Toronto and Western Ontario. Erika Khandor of Street Health presented key findings on health and homelessness in Toronto from their 2007 report. Findings included that health conditions were generally worse for people with concurrent disorders and they experienced barriers to care. Cheryl Forchuk from the University of Western Ontario recognized that people with mental health challenges were over-represented in this population and that discharge from psychiatric wards placed people at risk. Both presenters pointed to a need for system changes and cross-sector solutions. Valerie Preston and Robert Murdie of York University pointed to the experiences of immigrants in outer suburbs. The study focused on the suburbs due to an increase in concentration there and lack of affordability. Findings from focus groups showed a majority of immigrants had variable experiences with homelessness or near homelessness. Many immigrants were moved towards home ownership where low incomes and shortage of units put them at great risk. A major theme was to provide more information to immigrants on multiple options to housing other than home ownership. Thu Nguyen from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services reported on Hostels to Homes (H2H), a Housing First approach. H2H assisted chronic hostel users to move from the hostel sector to ownership or safe affordable housing by providing $800 assistance. As of January 2009, 947 have been housed. Successes included stabilization and enhanced self-confidence. The per diem system, however, was a challenge. The target group was large and short-term housing supports were often insufficient. Findings of this pilot will be made available after 2010.

Co-chair of the Sustainable Housing and Communities Working Group Mark Holzman, CMHC, reporting for François Dubrous, National Resources Canada, recognized as a key theme of the three presentations how successful research results translate into working programs. Jim Steele, CEO of Windsor Essex Community Housing reported on various initiatives and described the challenges of Now House™ transformations and retrofits to five wartime houses in Windsor Essex County. Keir Brownstone, Toronto Community Housing, explained Green Plan Initiatives and how tenants’ involvement and engagement can result in sustainable activities such as community gardens and recycling. The 29 Carlton Street building renewal was also seen on the bus tour. Eleanor McAteer, City of Toronto, reported on the Mayor’s Tower Renewal initiative and the tremendous opportunities presented for renewal in the aging housing stock in building envelope as well as streetscape and neighbourhoods. The common theme was that regardless of location or portfolio these programs provide ideas that can be used in various areas of the country.

François Pagé, Statistics Canada, co-chair of the Working Group on Housing Data, reported on behalf of fellow co-chair Candace Fedoruk, CMHC. Three levels of government were represented in the Housing Data presentations. Roger Lewis, CMHC, reviewed core housing need measurements from the 2006 Census. The data revealed that while core housing need declined nationally, affordability was still the standard least likely to be met by those in housing need. Data looking at the growth of shelter costs and household income was also presented. John Sawyer, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, focused the increased importance of evidence-based data to gain approval of initiatives, and the importance of using outcomes as well as output, as measures of program success. The Province has developed a municipal performance measurement program – where Fire, Police and Transit departments report back – and it will soon have Housing added to this measurement. A housing dashboard (one-page summary of key indicators for internal users) was shown and SHQ noted they have a similar compilation in brochure form. Tom Ostler, City of Toronto, provided results of Living Downtown Survey (LDS) that helped to understand demand and motivation for downtown housing. Basic socio-demographics such as age, education and income were reviewed as well as differences in recent downtown housing built after 2001 versus established housing. Harvey Low, City of Toronto, explained how GIS systems are used in placed-based planning in human services. Services and clients are mapped out from a spatial perspective making it easy to identify where services are lacking. From this 13 neighbourhoods were identified as high priority. An overall theme emerged that using relevant indicators or easy to understand visual indicators helps to justify data and explain data issues more clearly.

Distinct Needs Working Group, co-chair Jim Zamprelli, CMHC, reported on the meeting. Suzanne Swanton, a Masters student housing researcher, summarized her study which looked at the challenges and experiences of low-income, one-person households under 65 who are applicants on Ontario social housing wait lists in Kingston and Guelph. More affordable housing geared to one-person households and using secondary rental market options were recommended.

A panel discussion on the societal outcomes of affordable housing began with Jim Dunn, St. Michael’s Hospital, who described the GTA West study, the objectives of which are to determine if adults (18–64) re-housed into RGI social housing show improvement in depressive and anxious symptoms (common mental disorders) and general health versus a comparison group. The children of these adults (ages 3–10) were assessed on any improvements in mental health, behavioural and developmental competencies as a result of being rehoused.

Ed Starr, SHS Consulting, discussed the study “Assessing the Societal Outcomes in Canada: Avenues for Future Research”, the purpose of which was to examine existing research on the wider societal benefits of housing, and more specifically the linkages between housing and education, skills development and employment outcomes.

Margaret Condon, SSP Consulting, reported on the “Affordable Housing for Families: Assessing the Outcomes” study that was conducted by SPARC BC.

The study’s objectives included assessing social and economic outcomes for the families, residing in social housing.

Margaret MacAdam, president of Age Advantage, presented findings of a continuing care research study supported by Veterans Affairs Canada and Government of Ontario that provides costs and outcomes related to the care of Veterans. Conclusions were that home support services are an integral part of long-term home care and that long-term home care can be a cost-effective alternative to facility care.

Jim remarked that an increasing number of NHRC presentations described projects guided by the principles of Community-based Research.

Emerging Research Issues: Provinces, Territories and Municipalities

Dan Troke of the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, reminded members that Nova Scotia is in election mode but prior to this the province entered into an agreement with CMHC to extend the affordable housing initiative and economic stimulus package that would see renovations and energy upgrades to 8000 social housing units and new construction of several hundred units. This represents $130 million in activity over the next 24 months. The economic stimulus funding dovetails with a poverty reduction strategy that will develop over 18 months and review existing programs to meet current needs.

Shauna Wouters of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation reported on research completed or underway. A number of smaller projects are completed including a modular housing pilot project evaluation in a northern community that reviewed cost-effectiveness of processes and timelines. Outcomes determined the pilot to be a cost-effective option with time savings. Energy audits of apartment buildings were conducted and recommendations remain under review. A yearly housing market review is underway with CMHC’s regional market analyst and looks at smaller communities. A study is in progress to engage the private sector to develop affordable housing and will explore ways to build partnerships with homebuilders, developers, etc. The homeownership program has undergone changes and a survey will study the previous program alongside the current program. Background planning is underway on a homelessness strategy, a 5-year plan on housing, and housing environmental scan.

Carla Rhody, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, commented on federal funding received and the province matching of $1.2 billion pledged to repair social housing, energy efficiency, new affordable housing for low income seniors and persons with disabilities. A major initiative is the long-term Affordable Housing Strategy that will develop non-profit and coop housing using creative financial options. Homelessness and housing projects will consolidate under this Strategy. Wychwood Barns is a successful example of derelict land and brownfield redevelopment. The Ministry continues to partner with York University on two projects: affordable housing and its impact on homelessness, and affordable housing and its impact on children. The Ministry has partnered with Canadian Policy Research Networks to fund four research students.

Jim Elders of Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation reported that MHRC doubled its commitment to Building Foundations program, a renovation of the housing portfolio in Manitoba. MHRC is developing a tenant advocacy function as part of the initiative. Long-term housing strategy is under development in partnership with Tom Carter of University of Winnipeg Urban Studies. Research also includes a movement to coop conversion with a 42-unit townhouse coop project and is part of the overall revitalization of Winnipeg’s downtown. An accessible home pilot project is underway for persons living with chemical sensitivities. The intent is to create a barrier-free home. Four units are now converted.

Robert Gagnon of the Société d’habitation du Québec reported on several research projects that were close to 95% complete: a report on people living in community transition housing (shelters, hostels, motels); a report on housing in north Quebec, not the Nunavik area but between the 49 and 50 parallel and a very detailed portrait of non-profit housing and rent supplement residents in Québec City and of those persons on the City's social housing authority waiting list. The portrait will include data on the use of social services and health services. The study will be presented at the next meeting of the housing data group in Ottawa. The researcher of a report on characteristics of people in social housing was experiencing difficulty collecting data from smaller offices that are not yet connected to the Internet. The data has now been collected and are being analyzed. The report should be published in late summer or fall. A study is beginning on the rental housing market, its evolution and perspectives. There has been an analysis of participation rates for families and seniors in Allocation-logement programme, Québec's shelter allowance program. The report will not necessarily be a public study. Also, an effort will be made to use evaluation program data to gather information on the characteristics of users of SHQ's programs. Such a portrait will be made very soon with data on Rénovation Québec program. Later this year, similar data on Affordable housing program (private sector) should be received. Finally, a study will begin to develop a portrait of Québec social housing residents compared with private market renters. Québec Public Health Institute and Statistics Québec will participate in that study.

Elizabeth Debicka from Nunavut Housing Corporation announced the Territory has $100 million over and above per capita funding for housing programs. Like Saskatchewan, there is a commitment to support Inuit employment and apprenticeship programs for housing and construction. However the dilemma is there are 385 units to build in the next two years and not enough workers. NHC is exploring alternative delivery options: stick built traditional and units with structural insulated panels. The Housing Needs Survey for Nunavut was expected this spring but is delayed. Challenges in NHC include lack of research and reliance on outside consultants. The Territory has inherited the homelessness portfolio at the territorial level.