Edmonton Social Planning Council

Author: Brett Lambert

  • Blog: Lights Out! Earth Hour and Why it Matters

    By Sophia Jewell, ESPC Volunteer
    Sophia Jewell is a research assistant at the University of Alberta and an independent scholar preparing for a PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Her research explores identity, place, and cultural geography in Slavic communities, examining how migration, patriotism, and intercultural belonging shape transnational identities. She is passionate about contributing to the community through research.

    ***

    Earth Hour offers a valuable opportunity to think about the importance of participatory and collective action in helping us reach environmental goals. This post explores the significance of Earth Hour and considers how Edmontonians can play an active role.

    What is Earth Hour?

    Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement (WWF, 2024), is a global event that takes place on the last Saturday of March from 8:30 to 9:30 pm MST. During Earth Hour, individuals, businesses, and tourist attractions turn off their lights or spend an hour doing activities that benefit the earth to express solidarity in the face of climate change and environmental challenges. Earth Hour began on March 31, 2007 in Australia, where over 2 million people in Sydney turned off their lights for one hour (Baum, 2020). The event was organized by the World Wildlife Fund and quickly became a global phenomenon. Since 2007, millions of people around the world have joined the event, with over 185 countries (Baum, 2020) and over 17,000 cultural and historical landmarks (Kountouris, 2022) around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, (BBC, 2024) the Tokyo Tower, Christ the Redeemer, the Sydney Opera House, Niagara Falls, and the CN Tower (Mortillaro, 2014) participating by turning off their lights. Earth Hour has been a catalyst for environmental initiatives such as the creation of Argentina’s largest marine protected area, the establishment of a national park in Malaysia, stronger climate legislation in Switzerland and Scotland, and the banning of plastic bags and disposable packaging on the Galápagos Islands (WWF, 2024).

    Why it Matters:

    While the tangible effects of climate change and increased research and advocacy efforts have brought greater awareness to environmental issues in recent times, our society still struggles with denial, inaction, and uncertainty about how to respond. As Robert Glifford, a professor at the University of Victoria, noted, psychological barriers play a big part in preventing climate action (Einarson, 2022). The City of Edmonton has aimed to address some of the structural barriers to climate action through initiatives that encourage recycling and composting as well as renewable energy projects. Nevertheless, in order to increase public awareness and support for these initiatives, it is critical to address some of the psychological barriers around climate action. A survey of Edmontonians found that while people were aware of sustainability issues, they often did not perceive them as relevant to local communities and daily life (City of Edmonton, 2011). Studies have shown that even when people understand the importance of combating climate change in general, they often fail to act because “they do not comprehend the beneficial impact that they can have” (Olexsak & Meier, 2014, p. 160).

    Earth Hour can play a key role in addressing these barriers. Earth Hour is a symbolic, global event which aims to overcome inaction by turning participants “from passive observers, to active participants in the pursuit of environmental goals” (Kountouris, 2022, p. 1). Research studies have documented that in order to create sustained climate action, a supportive social environment and collective participatory action is essential (Olexsak and Meier, 2014). Earth Hour is “part of a public awareness campaign on the importance of community participation” (Rijal, 2021, p. 289). By building a “public awareness to care,” (Rijal, 2021, p. 294) Earth Hour can contribute to broader mobilization efforts. It sends the message that our individual actions matter. It sends the message that collectively, small actions can make a big impact.

    Although “the goal of Earth Hour is not to reduce electricity consumption or carbon emissions for the duration of the event” (Baum, 2020), and although Earth Hour has sometimes been criticized for having a minimal direct impact on overall climate change (Dean, 2011), many countries have documented sustained electricity savings due to Earth Hour, with electricity demands being reduced by as much as 28% in Canada during Earth Hour (Olexsak & Meier, 2014).

    Earth Hour in Edmonton:

    As scholars have noted, climate change is multifaceted and creates disasters which are natural, ecological, and social in nature. In turn, it creates environmental problems which are systemic (Rijal, 2021) and disproportionately affect people around the world, increasing social, economic, and health inequalities. Leif Einarson (2022) reports that “Canada, Australia, and the U.S. are collectively responsible for nearly 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.” This gives Canadians a unique responsibility to reduce our individual impact (Einarson, 2022). Studies have found that the highest intensity of household greenhouse emissions in Canada is in Edmonton, followed by Calgary (Fercovic & Gulati, 2015). Nevertheless, this also means that Edmontonians are in a unique position to make a difference in the global battle against climate change. Our actions can have a powerful impact. As one report highlights, “The average household in Alberta can stop about 790 grams of greenhouse gas emissions for every kilowatt hour of electricity they reduce” (Einarson, 2022). Studies have shown that during Earth Hour, little actions can make a big difference, so let’s take this as an opportunity to become leaders of global change.

    How to Participate:

    This year, participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 22 by turning out lights and non-essential appliances from 8:30-9:30 pm. Other ways to participate include:

    – Share information about Earth Hour on social media: #EarthHourYeg #BiggestHourForEarth

    – Spend one hour doing something positive for the environment – you can even log your hour on the WWF website by clicking here: https://www.earthhour.org/take-part/give-an-hour?hsCtaTracking=3f179703-bff9-4a74-aa0a-582a597a6e52%7Ce933db44-6e29-41ff-83dd-6c6b358deb73

    – Try out the World Wildlife Fund’s free action challenges: https://explore.panda.org/zero-to-hero

    – Cast your vote to reduce plastic pollution in rivers and oceans: https://wwf.panda.org/act/plastic_pollution_treaty/

    – Donate to the World Wildlife Fund: https://wwf.panda.org/support_wwf/

    References:

    Baum, K. (2020, March 31). Sydney, Australia, holds world’s first Earth Hour: Moments in time March 31, 2007. The Globe and Mail.

    BBC (2024, March 23). Famous landmarks around the world power down for Earth Hour. https://www.bbc.com/news/av-embeds/world-68648866

    City of Edmonton. (2011). The way we green: The city of Edmonton’s environmental strategic plan. Urban Climate Action Network, https://uccrnna.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/42_Edmonton_2011_The-Way-We-Green.pdf.

    Dean, R. (2011). Seeing the light on Earth Hour. Quadrant, 32-33.

    Einarson, Leif. (2022, March 23). GreenUP: How Earth Hour and other small steps can overcome our barriers. Peterborough Examiner, https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/greenup-how-earth-hour-and-other-small-steps-can-overcome-our-barriers/article_fdb42ce5-2f19-5520-b3f9-91e3f70af8e7.html?

    Fercovic, J., & Gulati, S. (2016). Comparing household greenhouse gas emissions across Canadian cities. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 60, 96-111.

    Kountouris, Y. (2022). Awareness days and environmental attitudes: The case of the “Earth Hour.” Ecological Economics, 195, 1-17. 

    Mortillaro, N. (2014, March 29). World landmarks participate in Earth Hour. Global News, https://globalnews.ca/news/1236849/world-landmarks-to-participate-in-earth-hour-march-29/

    Olexsak, S., & Meier, A. (2014). The electricity impacts of Earth Hour: An international comparative analysis of energy-saving behavior. Energy Research & Social Science, 2, 159-182.

    Rijal, N., & Widiatmojo, R. (2021). Public awareness campaigns model of global civil society at the local level: Case of Earth Hour Malang. Global Strategis, 15(2), 287-319.

    World Wildlife Fund (2024). Milestones over the years. 60 Earth Hour, https://www.earthhour.org/about/milestones

  • CM: Literacy: Terms and Definitions

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    Literacy encompasses many different forms and can be used in many different aspects of life. It extends beyond the ability to read and understand words on a page. Below are some key definitions of various kinds of literacy. Many of these types of literacies will be explored in more detail throughout this issue of Community Matters. 

    What is literacy? 

    According to Alberta Education, literacy is defined as “the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with language to acquire, construct and communicate meaning in all aspects of daily living.” Literacy can include reading, writing, viewing, listening, speaking, and more. A technologically-driven world has expanded our notions of literacy as we communicate and interact globally using multiple types of print, images, symbols, and sounds, especially through digital media. [1] 

    Literacy is important because it opens up opportunities for individuals to acquire the knowledge they need to achieve personal goals and improve their qualify of life. Literacy helps lay the foundation for lifelong learning and active participation in society. [2] 

    Major Types of Literacy 

    Below are some of the different kinds of literacies that people and systems will commonly interact with in today’s society. While these are the types of literacies that individuals can develop in their life-long learning journey, it is also incumbent upon institutions (e.g. educational, health, justice) to further these literacies and provide the tools necessary to foster a healthy and democratic society. 

    Financial literacy: According to the Government of Canada’s Task Force on Financial Literacy, financial literacy is defined as “having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions.” Achieving these skills means a person can make day to day choices about how to spend their money and stay on top of financial obligations, navigate the financial marketplace, plan ahead for how to use their money for life goals such as retirement, and evaluate the financial information and advice they get. In addition, they can make the best use of the resources they have such as tax credits, workplace benefits, pensions, and others. [3] 

    Information literacy: The American Library Association defines information literacy as “a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” This skill is considered particularly important in a time of rapid technological change and the significant increase of information resources. With so much information coming from varying and unfiltered sources, questions about the accuracy, validity, and reliability of this information comes into question. The increasing quantity of information coupled with uncertain quality poses challenges for society. An informed citizenry needs the ability to evaluate information and its sources critically in order to use information effectively and incorporate it into one’s knowledge base. [4] 

    Digital literacy: British Columbia’s Digital Literacy Framework defines digital literacy as “the interest, attitude and ability of individuals to use digital technology and communication tools appropriately to access, manage, integrate, analyze, and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, and create and communicate with others.” 

    Characteristics of digital literacy include information literacy, critical thinking and decision making, digital citizenship (e.g. practicing legal and ethical behaviour), and sound understanding of technology concepts and operations. [5] 

    Health literacy: The Centers for Disease Control defines personal health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” 

    There is also organizational health literacy, which describes “the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” 

    These are recently revised definitions, which seeks to acknowledge that organizations have a responsibility to address health literacy, incorporate a public health perspective, and emphasize a person’s ability to use health information instead of just understanding it. [6] 

    Civic literacy: The Samara Centre for Democracy defines civic literacy as “knowing about the institutions of government and how they work, having awareness of the issues of the day, understanding how to take political action to pursue a cause, and carefully consuming media both on- and offline.” 

    The four dimensions of civic literacy identified by the Samara Centre are institutional knowledge (e.g. knowledge of democratic processes), political ability (e.g. voting, writing to elected leaders), topical knowledge (e.g. following current affairs, awareness of public policy issues), and media literacy (e.g. recognizing false information, identifying bias). [7] 

    Cultural literacy: ABC Life Literacy Canada defines cultural literacy as “being able to understand the traditions, regular activities and history of a group of people from a given culture.” Aspects of a culture can include their language, arts, science, beliefs and practices, and their understanding of their environment.  

    Having cultural literacy can help someone understand, relate to, and interact with people from diverse backgrounds that may be different from their own. Learning about how other people live can make you more culturally sensitive and aware. [8] 

    Workplace literacy: ABC Life Literacy Canada defines workplace literacy as “the skills employees need to have in order to be successful at work functions and manage the demands of their jobs in a healthy, productive way.” 

    Having workplace literacy means an employee can work accurately and efficiently, ensure workplace safety, helps them obtain and maintain employment, and earn more. [9] 

    Legal literacy: In “Legal Literacy: An Introduction to Legal Studies” by Archie Zariski, a number of expanded definitions for legal literacy are offered, which emphasizes being a member of the community while also challenging the legal system. 

    “Full legal literacy goes beyond the development of a basic legal competence and implies the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and critical judgment about the substance of law, legal process and legal resources, enabling and encouraging the utilization of capacities in practice.” [10] 

     

    References 

    1. Alberta Education [2015)]. Literacy Definition. Retrieved from: https://education.alberta.ca/media/159474/literacy-definition-poster-colour.pdf  
    2. Alberta Education [2017]. Literacy Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: https://education.alberta.ca/media/3402193/lit-fact-sheet.pdf  
    3. Task Force on Financial Literacy (2010). Canadians and their Money: Building a brighter financial future. Report of Recommendations on Financial Literacy. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/fcac-acfc/documents/programs/financial-literacy/canadians-and-their-money.pdf  
    4. American Library Association (2000). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Retrieved from: https://alair.ala.org/handle/11213/7668  
    5. Government of British Columbia [2014]. BC’s Digital Literacy Framework. Retrieved from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/teach/teaching-tools/digital-literacy-framework.pdf  
    6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). What is Health Literacy? Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/learn/index.html 
    7. Morden, M., S. Prest, J. HIlderman, and K. Anderson (2019). Investing in Canadians’ civic literacy: An answer to fake news and disinformation.” Toronto: The Samara Centre for Democracy.  
    8. ABC Life Literacy Canada [2021]. “What is Cultural Literacy?” Retrieved from: https://abclifeliteracy.ca/cultural-literacy/  
    9. ABC Life Literacy Canada [2021]. “What is Workplace Literacy?” Retrieved from: https://abclifeliteracy.ca/workplace-literacy/  
    10. Zarski, A. (2014). Legal Literacy: An Introduction to Legal Studies. Athabasca University Press. Retrieved from: https://www.aupress.ca/books/120240-legal-literacy/  

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                      1. CM: How a Livable Income Impacts Mental Wellness

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                        By Brett Lambert 

                         

                        The ability to make ends meet—which includes keeping a roof over one’s head, putting food on the table, and meeting other basic necessities—is integral for both a person’s physical and mental well-being. Whether a person’s primary source of income is from employment, or they are reliant on income support programs, everyone deserves a livable income that allows them to meet their needs, especially at a time when inflation is at an all-time high. 

                        Research has shown that living in low-income is a risk factor for psychological distress. A Statistics Canada longitudinal study showed that lower incomes are significantly related to future episodes of psychological distress and that the everyday social environments of low-income Canadians were implicated in these health disparities. In addition, living in low-income means having fewer resources to cope with and mitigate these stressors. The presence of these stressors and the absence of supports have been linked to physical and mental disorders. (1) 

                        If living in low-income has detrimental effects on a person’s mental health, will raising their income contribute to an improvement in mental health? The research seems to point to a resounding yes. 

                        Increases to the minimum wage – which is the lowest hourly rate of pay allowed by law – has been linked with lowering suicide rates. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, the research showed that for every dollar added to the minimum wage, suicide rates among people with a high school education or less dropped by 3.4 to 5.9%. Among adults with levels of education above high school, there was no reduction in suicide rates because they would be less likely to work in lower-wage jobs. (2) 

                        Within Alberta, there have been dramatic changes to the minimum wage within the last decade. Between 2015 to 2018, the minimum wage was raised incrementally each year from $10.20 per hour to eventually $15 per hour. (3) Workers who received a raise overall reported feeling more at ease with the greater financial stability. (4) With a change in government in 2019, the provincial government rolled back the minimum wage to $13 per hour for youth under the age of 18. This change to the minimum wage was particularly jeopardizing to the morale of marginalized youth striving to attain financial independence who may also be experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. (5) 

                        Improvements to mental health have also been linked to universal basic income—a government program that gives its citizens a set amount of money regularly to cover their living expenses with no strings attached. While basic income programs have largely been implemented regionally as pilot programs through the years, the results of these studies have shown that improvements to a population’s mental health are among the impacts of such a program. This included improved time with family and friends, a reduction in perceived stigma, and a renewed sense of hope for the future. (6) For the Ontario basic income pilot from 2018 specifically, 83% of respondents who took part in the pilot program reported feeling less stressed and anxious and 81% reported feeling more self-confident. (7) 

                        Current income support programs in place within Alberta pay recipients below the poverty line, which is roughly defined as an annual income of $40,777 for a family of four or $20,289 for a single individual in Alberta. (8) For example, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)—which pay a maximum monthly benefit rate of $1,685 per month—does not keep pace with the cost of living. While the program is finally being re-indexed for inflation as of January 1, 2023 as a response to the price of essential goods becoming more expensive, AISH recipients are still having to catch up after more than three years of stagnant benefit rates. (9) When elected officials merely discuss making changes to the program—often to the detriment of current or future recipients—this has impacts on a recipient’s mental health. When the provincial government was considering re-evaluating eligibility for those with mental illness, recipients reported feeling their anxiety levels going up over the thought of losing their benefits. (10) 

                        No matter the primary source of income people live on to make ends meet, it is clear that the amount they receive can either be a major stressor if it is inadequate or can alleviate a lot of pressure if their basic needs are met. Providing adequate and livable incomes will not necessarily solve all mental health challenges, but it will save lives. Any conversation on addressing mental health challenges needs to robustly consider the ways in which livable incomes and poverty intersect with this issue. 

                         

                        Note: This is an excerpt from our December 2022 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

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                        References 

                        1. Orpana, H.M., L. Lemyre, and R. Gravel. Statistics Canada (2009). Income and psychological distress: The role of the social environment. Health Reports. Vol. 20, no. 1 (March 2009). Pp: 21- 28. Retrieved from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-003-x/2009001/article/10772-eng.pdf?st=A55AkkD2  
                        2. Kaufman, J.A., Salas-Hernández, L.K., Komro, K.A., and Livingston, M.D. (2020). Effects of increased minimum wages by unemployment rate on suicide in the USA. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. Vol. 70, no. 3. Pp. 219-224. https://jech.bmj.com/content/74/3/219  
                        3. Government of Alberta (2020). Minimum wage expert panel. Retrieved from: https://www.alberta.ca/minimum-wage-expert-panel.aspx  
                        4. Issawi, H. and Doherty, B. (2018). Alberta’s minimum-wage workers tell us what $15 an hour really means for their bottom line. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/09/30/paid-in-full-albertas-low-wage-workers-mull-over-the-final-pay-bump.html  
                        5. Wyton, M. (2019). ‘Difficult realities’: Vulnerable youth left in lurch by UCP cut to minimum wage, advocates say. Retrieved from: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/vulnerable-youth-left-in-lurch-of-uncertain-pay-following-ucp-cuts-to-youth-minimum-wage  
                        6. Wilson, N. and McDaid, S. (2021). The mental health effects of a Universal Basic Income: A synthesis of the evidence from previous pilots. Social Science & Medicine. Volume 287. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953621007061  
                        7. Ferdosi, M., McDowell, T., Lewchuk, W., and Ross, S. (2020). Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience. Retrieved from: https://labourstudies.mcmaster.ca/documents/southern-ontarios-basic-income-experience.pdf  
                        8. Canada. Employment and Social Development Canada (2018). Opportunity for All: Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/poverty-reduction/reports/strategy.html  
                        9. Tran, P. (2022). Alberta’s government benefit programs to be re-indexed starting next year. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/9309545/alberta-premier-danielle-smith-reindexing-aish/  
                        10. Fletcher, R. (2020). What it’s like living on AISH while the government spars over its future. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-assured-income-for-the-severely-handicapped-feature-1.5752665  

                                         

                                          [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                        1. fACT Sheet: Affordability Payments to Address Rising Inflation: What You Need to Know

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                                          Please note this is an excerpt from this fACT Sheet

                                          Rising inflation has been a pressing concern for all households trying to make ends meet. Increasing prices for food, fuel, utilities (e.g. heat, electricity), and other goods has been a stressor for many Albertans, especially those living in low-income and poverty as wages and income support programs have been stagnant. The latter income support programs also did not keep pace with inflation between 2019 and 2022 before being re-indexed for 2023.

                                          To address these affordability pressures, the Government of Alberta will be distributing temporary relief payments of $600 to eligible households. These payments will be tax-free.

                                          The following is a breakdown of the known details (as of January 9, 2022) of these affordability payments and what people need to know to apply. More information can be found on the Government of Alberta website.

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                                        2. CM: Housing and Homelessness: Terminology and Word Choices 

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                                          By Brett Lambert

                                           

                                          The realm of housing, shelters, and homelessness is complex and varied. Someone unfamiliar to the housing sector may understandably be confused by some of the terminology and the meaning behind it. We have created this glossary list to help readers better understand the issues that are discussed in more detail within this issue of Community Matters. 

                                          Homelessness Defined 

                                          The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness  defines homelessness as “the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it.” (1) 

                                          Homelessness can span a spectrum of experiences and circumstances. It can describe someone who is unsheltered (i.e. living on the streets or in places not intended for human habitation), emergency sheltered (i.e. staying in an overnight homeless shelter or shelters for those fleeing domestic or family violence), provisionally accommodated (i.e. accommodations are temporary or lack security of tenure, such as “couch surfing”), or at risk of homelessness (i.e. they are not currently homeless, but their financial or housing situation is precarious or does not meet public health and safety standards).  

                                          For those experiencing homelessness, their situation tends to be fluid where their shelter arrangements can change and shift quite dramatically. 

                                          Precarious and inadequate housing not only relates to household income and the structure of the dwelling, but also a lack of access to necessary supports and opportunities, including employment, health care, clean water and sanitation, schools, childcare, and others. 

                                          Indigenous Peoples and Homelessness 

                                          The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness’ Indigenous definition of homelessness, developed by Jesse Thistle, considers the traumas Indigenous Peoples have experienced linked to colonialism. While homelessness experienced among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples is a condition where they lack stable, permanent, and appropriate housing, it goes beyond lacking a physical structure of habitation. It also acknowledges Indigenous worldviews, since being in a state of homelessness deprives an Indigenous person from culturally, spiritually, emotionally, or physically reconnecting with their Indigenous identity or lost relationships. (2) 

                                          Indigenous Peoples are overrepresented amongst Canadians experiencing homelessness. Within Edmonton, among the 2,745 people currently experiencing homelessness, as of July 2022 according to Homeward Trust’s Edmonton Homelessness Dashboard, 58% of them identify as Indigenous. (3)  

                                          Homelessness for Indigenous Peoples is intrinsically linked to historical and ongoing settler colonization and racism that have displaced First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples from traditional lands as well as social and cultural systems. This has created and prolonged Indigenous homelessness. 

                                           

                                          Power of Language 

                                          Homeless vs. Houseless terminology and word usage 

                                          For years, homeless or homelessness has been the standard term used by governments to describe people living without stable or permanent shelter. However, in recent years there has been a shift to move away from this term in favour of houselessness or unhoused. 

                                          The reason for this shift is partly because of the meanings linked to the words “house” and “home.” A house refers to a physical structure meant for human habitation while a home can encompass more than a structure built on a physical location as it is tied to a community with social connections. Using “unhoused” or “houseless” acknowledges that while someone may lack a socially accepted physical structure to live in, they still have a social connection with the wider community. (4) 

                                          In addition, the term “homeless” can be linked to stigma and can be framed in such a way as to demonize those without housing as dangerous to society. (5) Fundamentally, this shift in terminology seeks to be more respectful when describing people who live without a fixed address. 

                                          While there may not yet be widespread agreement regarding the terms, as the updated Associated Press Stylebook does describe homeless as “generally acceptable” to use as an adjective, (6) the respect and dignity of those experiencing housing insecurity is a top priority. For this issue, we will prioritize using “unhoused” or “houseless” terminology. 

                                          Person First Language 

                                          When referring to people who are without shelter, person-first language is important. For this issue, they will be described as a “person experiencing homelessness” instead of a “homeless person.” This is done as a reminder that their condition does not define them and that they are first and foremost a human being. 

                                          It is important to emphasize that there is a broad range of experiences when it comes to people who are unhoused or without shelter. While the general public might think of homelessness primarily as people sleeping rough on the streets or within an encampment, there are also hidden components of houselessness. This includes those who “couch surf” temporarily with friends or family or the working houseless who live in their vehicles. Living without shelter generally is not a choice, and the experience is incredibly challenging. 

                                           

                                          Housing Definitions:  

                                          Core Housing Need 

                                          According to criteria set out by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a household is considered to be in core housing need if at least one of the following conditions is not met. (7) 

                                          Adequate: the dwelling is not requiring any major repairs, such as excessive mold, inadequate heating or water supply, or significant structural damage. 

                                          Affordable: shelters costs (e.g. rent and utilities) are below 30% of total before-tax household income. 

                                          Suitable: there are enough bedrooms for the size and composition of the household members. 

                                          Types of Affordable Housing and Shelters 

                                          There are many housing and shelter options that exist within the public, private, or not-for-profit sector. Below are some of the most common types of housing geared to low-income households: 

                                          Supportive housing provides a permanent home and on-site supports (e.g. medical assistance, counselling) for people who need assistance to live independently. This could include people exiting homelessness, people who are elderly or who have disabilities, addictions, or mental illness. Investing in permanent supportive housing has been a priority for the City of Edmonton in their strategy to end chronic homelessness. New permanent supportive housing units were approved by City Council in 2020 in King Edward Park, Inglewood, Terrace Heights, and McArthur/Wellington and are expected to be completed this year. (8) 

                                          Emergency housing provides temporary shelter and accommodations for certain vulnerable groups. These can include those experiencing homelessness and those fleeing domestic violence or abuse. Some examples of emergency housing within Edmonton include women’s shelters such as WIN House, Wings of Providence, and Women’s Emergency Accommodation Centre (WEAC). Shelters that serve the unhoused are operated by a number of organizations, which include The Mustard Seed and Hope Mission. 

                                          Non-profit housing provides rental housing to low- and moderate-income individuals. They are typically built by the province, a municipality, or a community group. Tenants pay rent that is geared to their income and other tenants pay rent that is at the lower level of the private market rent. Civida (formerly Capital Region Housing) is the largest provider of social housing and near market and market homes within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. This is separate from market housing, which is privately owned housing with prices set by the private market. 

                                          Co-operative housing provides housing for people with low and moderate incomes, representing a middle ground between renting and owning a home. Members of a co-operative collectively own the development with shelter payments going towards the upkeep of the building. Members contribute to the governance of the co-op. The cost of housing is geared to a percentage of income for some residents while the rest pay market rates. According to the Northern Alberta Co-operative Housing Association, there are 41 co-operative developments in Edmonton and the surrounding areas. (9) 

                                          Bridge housing is a continuum of housing that’s between emergency and permanent housing. These short-term accommodations bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing. On-site supports are offered to individuals as they work with outreach workers to secure permanent housing. Residents typically stay in bridge housing for an average of 30 to 90 days. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Homeward Trust Edmonton has set up bridge housing in five locations in partnership with Boyle Street Community Services, Niginan Housing Ventures, and Jasper Place Wellness Centre. Some of these locations have since stopped taking intakes. (10) 

                                          Housing First 

                                          Housing first refers to providing people experiencing homelessness with independent and permanent housing as a first step. There are no preconditions or compliance requirements to being admitted into housing first programs. Once the person is provided housing, other supports such as mental health or addictions can be addressed once the housing situation is resolved. (11) 

                                           

                                          Spectrum of Homelessness Experiences 

                                          Precariously housed or housing insecurity refers to people who are at risk of losing their housing. They are facing severe affordability problems when it comes to maintaining their housing. They may risk losing housing in the immediate or near future. Those who manage to maintain their housing often do so at the expense of meeting their nutritional needs, heating their homes, and other expenses that contribute to their health and well-being. (1) 

                                          Temporarily homeless refers to people who are without accommodation for a relatively short time period. This could happen due to the result of a natural disaster like a fire or a flood or through changes to a person’s living situation like a separation or divorce. They tend to be re-housed within a short period of time. (12) 

                                          Cyclically homeless refers to people who have lost their housing due to a change in their situation, such as a job loss, a hospital stay, or a prison term. Those who use safehouses such as women fleeing family violence or runaway youths are also part of this group. (12) 

                                          Chronically homeless (13) refers to people who have been homeless for at least a year, or repeatedly over the course of several months or years and often have complex and long-term health conditions such as addictions or mental illness. (13) 

                                          Adequate housing re-envisions “housing” beyond a physical space that has four walls and a roof, and this concept is recognized in international human rights law. Instead, it “should be seen as the right to live somewhere in security, peace, and dignity.”  There are 7 criteria that must be met (at a minimum) for housing to be deemed adequate, which are as follows: Security of ownership/tenancy; availability of services, materials, facilities, and infrastructure; affordability; habitability; accessibility; location; and cultural adequacy. (14) 

                                           

                                          Note: This is an excerpt from our September 2022 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

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                                          References 

                                          1. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2017). Canadian Definition of Homelessness. Retrieved from: https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/canadian-definition-homelessness  
                                          2. Thistle, J. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2017). Definition of Indigenous Homelessness in Canada. Retrieved from: https://homelesshub.ca/IndigenousHomelessness 
                                          3. Homeward Trust Edmonton [n.d.]. Edmonton Homelessness Dashboard. Retrieved from: https://homewardtrust.ca/data-analytics-reporting/ 
                                          4. Hunt, K. (2019). Why Do we Say “Houseless”? Retreived from: https://dogoodmultnomah.org/blog/why-do-we-say-houseless 
                                          5. Slayton, N. (2021). Time to Retire the Word ‘Homeless’ and Opt for ‘Houseless’ or ‘Unhoused’ Instead? Retrieved from: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/homeless-unhoused 
                                          6. Perlman, M. (2020). 2020 AP Stylebook changes: Person-first language, and the great ‘pled’ debate. Retrieved from: https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/2020-ap-stylebook-changes.php 
                                          7. Statistics Canada (2017). Core housing need. Retrieved from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/dict/households-menage037-eng.cfm 
                                          8. CTV News Edmonton (2020). City votes to sell land to Homeward Trust to build housing to help end homelessness. Retrieved from: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/city-votes-to-sell-land-to-homeward-trust-to-build-housing-to-help-end-homelessness-1.5004981 
                                          9. Northern Alberta Co-operative Housing Association [n.d.]. Housing Cooperatives: Contact Sheet. Retrieved from: https://nacha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-02-Housing_Co-operatives_Contact_Sheet.pdf  
                                          10. Homeward Trust Edmonton [n.d.]. Bridge Housing. Retrieved from: https://homewardtrust.ca/bridge-housing/  
                                          11. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness [n.d.]. Housing First. Retrieved from: https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/housing-first  
                                          12. Casavant, L. Library of Parliament (1999). Definition of Homelessness. Retrieved from: https://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/modules/prb99-1-homelessness/definition-e.htm 
                                          13. National Alliance to End Homelessness [n.d.] Chronically Homeless. Retrieved from: https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/who-experiences-homelessness/chronically-homeless/  
                                          14. Reference: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2009). “The Right to Adequate Housing”. Fact Sheet No. 21, Rev 1. Retrieved from: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/FS21_rev_1_Housing_en.pdf   

                                                                     

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                                                                    1. fACT Sheet: Housing Co-Operatives

                                                                      [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/fACTsheet-Housing-Cooperatives-1.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the fACT Sheet (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#008ac1″ custom_margin=”||19px|||” custom_padding=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

                                                                      Introduction

                                                                      Affordability and the rising cost of living has become a particularly pressing issue especially as Canada recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. With inflation at an all-time high (6.8% as of April 2022, the highest it’s been in 31 years), these rising costs place a disproportionately large strain on low-income households. Shelter costs are among the largest expenses.

                                                                      With the number of people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton on the rise (2,758 people are experiencing homelessness as of May 2022 according to Homeward Trust Edmonton’s Homelessness Dashboard), a limited stock of affordable housing units available, and thousands of people placed on years long wait lists to receive rental assistance, there is an urgent need to meaningfully address the housing crisis.

                                                                      According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s February 2022 Rental Market Report, in Edmonton the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,270 while a two-bedroom condominium is $1,412. While monthly rents are relatively stable in recent years, rents have overall doubled when measured over a 20-year time period, making affordability a concern. This is particularly felt for households earning less than $36,000 a year as they can only affordably access about 15% of purpose-built rentals.

                                                                      This dire situation has prompted calls to re-invest in a number of affordable housing programs, particularly co-operative housing. Advocates credit co-operatives as a way for people of all incomes to live affordably in urban centres.

                                                                      What Are Co-Operatives?

                                                                      Generally speaking, a co-operative (or co-op) refers to an organization that is owned by its members and are operated on a democratic system. Co-operatives can exist within various sectors, which can include financial services, child care, agriculture, and renewable energy.

                                                                      A housing co-op refers to a development that provides access to housing for its members, which could be apartments, townhomes, or houses. Housing co-ops either own their land or lease it from a municipality or land trust and are run by boards elected by members. In addition, board members can also volunteer for community upkeep projects.

                                                                      To join a housing co-operative, members purchase a share to join and housing costs are set by the board on a break-even, not for profit basis. Some co-ops have a certain number of units set aside for low-income residents (these are usually subsidized with government funding), but the cost of co-op housing for all is usually less than market rentals, which can be as low as half the market rate in some instances.

                                                                      In a time where home ownership is increasingly elusive for a sizable portion of the Canadian population, more housing solutions that are accessible to those who cannot or do not want to own a home are necessary.

                                                                      Structure and Governance

                                                                      Housing co-operatives combine features of owning and renting a home and represent a middle ground between the two. Residents co-own the buildings and pay a monthly housing charge for the unit they live in, but they do not make a down payment or sell their unit if they move out. Members of the co-operative have security of tenure and make all decisions regarding their housing.

                                                                      Each member of the co-operative has one vote and they have a say in electing board members, approving budgets, bylaws, and other forms of governance. Bylaws help set parameters around governance issues such as admitting new members, fees and housing charges, and dealing with non-payments. Existing bylaws and changes to them must be kept in line with current legislation and be consistent with human rights laws. Members of a co-operative are allowed to stay for as long as they wish if they are following the bylaws.

                                                                      Members are expected to participate in the running of the co-operative by attending meetings. This includes the annual general meeting, where the board of directors is elected, as well as meeting to discuss finances, approve budgets, and amend by-laws.

                                                                      Co-operatives may receive government funding to subsidize a certain percentage of their units for low-income residents, which would be set to about 30% of their household income.

                                                                      A Brief History of Housing Co-Operatives

                                                                      Housing co-operatives in Canada were originally built for students, with the first one starting at the University of Toronto in 1934. Housing co-operatives built for families started in the 1960s as a housing solution for those unable to afford to own a home and faced difficulty finding good quality rental housing.

                                                                      The first housing co-operatives for families started in Winnipeg in 1966, with a 200-unit Willow Park Housing Co-Operative. Not only was it affordable, but it fostered a sense of community with the co-operative form of ownership and management. Building off this success, the Co-operative Housing Foundation of Canada (now called the Co-Operative Housing Federation of Canada) was established in 1968 to represent the co-operative housing movement by providing resources, education, and advocacy in support of co-op housing across Canada.

                                                                      The federal government followed suit and greatly boosted the sector with a number of initiatives in the 1970s. The National Housing Act was amended in 1973 to create a national co-op housing program. Between 1973 to 1995, over 80,000 co-operative homes were established in Canada under subsequent federal and provincial programs.

                                                                      Within Edmonton and the surrounding areas, there are currently 35 housing co-operatives listed as members of the Northern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association (NACHA) with an additional six housing co-operatives that are not NACHA members. Combined they provide more than 1,400 housing units available as apartments, townhouses, duplexes, or houses (split into suites).

                                                                      As housing policies and priorities shifted through the years, the federal government ceased financing new social housing projects by the early 1990s as austerity measures took hold and an embrace of the free market as the best place to address people’s housing needs. Not only did these policy directions make housing in general more expensive as a result, but it sidelined housing co-ops as no new developments were built since the late 1990s.

                                                                      A Renewed Interest in Co-Op Housing?

                                                                      The federal government’s 2022 budget has renewed hopes for a new wave of interest in the co-operative housing sector after nearly 30 years of underfunding.

                                                                      Budget 2022 announced $1.5 billion committed to building a new Co-operative Housing Development Program. With this announcement, the government expects to build 6,000 new units across Canada to address the housing crunch.

                                                                      Benefits of Co-Ops

                                                                      Due to the structure of the co-op, housing costs are more affordable by nature of it operating on a break even process. Since co-ops do not make a profit, costs of housing are below rates paid for housing that operates with profit margins. Any surpluses accrued get set aside into a reserve and can be used to fund projects that benefit the co-op and its members.

                                                                      Beyond providing housing that is affordable to people of all incomes, the democratic nature of co-operatives where members work together for mutual benefit, co-ops strengthen local communities by bringing people of diverse backgrounds together as they work collaboratively.

                                                                      The co-operative movement can foster initiatives that positively impact the wider community. A prominent local example is the retrofitting of the housing units at the Sundance Housing Co-Operative, located in Edmonton’s Riverdale neighbourhood. The goal of the construction project is to upgrade the buildings with new insulation and energy-efficient windows and doors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are also going to be powered by solar power and other green energy. This form of innovation has the potential to be a model for others to follow when addressing environmental sustainability.

                                                                      Challenges of Co-Ops

                                                                      Since many co-operatives were built in the 1970s and ‘80s, repairs of aging infrastructures has been a challenge. Government funding in support of co-ops has been limited since the 1990s, although there is renewed interest and funding becoming available through the National Housing Strategy.

                                                                      Like a lot of affordable housing programs, wait lists for housing co-operatives can be lengthy, especially for those in need of subsidized housing. Wait times to receive co-op housing range between six to eight months to more than three years.

                                                                      Since individual housing co-ops set policies on who they admit as members, this means the housing may not be suitable for everyone. For instance, some do not permit pets on the premises and some are meant to be only for adults.

                                                                      Final Reflections

                                                                      With affordability challenges across the spectrum, access to housing that is safe, suitable, and affordable is a top priority.

                                                                      While co-operative housing has been shown to be successful, it represents only a small portion of housing units available across Canada. Scaling up the sector has the potential to reach so many who are in core housing need, which are more than 164,000 people in Alberta alone according to the 2016 Census of Canada.

                                                                      Renewed commitments from the federal government is an encouraging development that can potentially raise the profile of the viability of housing co-operatives. More investments and coordination from provincial governments and municipalities will be necessary to further bolster housing co-ops. This includes measures to increase the supply and allocate land for new builds and of course funding to ensure a certain percentage of units are accessible to those living with low incomes.

                                                                      In a time where home ownership is increasingly elusive for a sizable portion of the Canadian population, more housing solutions that are accessible to those who cannot or do not want to own a home are necessary.

                                                                       

                                                                      The Edmonton Social Planning Council is an independent, non-profit, charitable organization focused on social research.

                                                                      This fACT Sheet, prepared by the Edmonton Social Planning Council, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

                                                                      Edmonton Social Planning Council

                                                                      #200, 10544 – 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1C5

                                                                      www.edmontonsocialplanning.ca

                                                                      @edmontonsp

                                                                       

                                                                       

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