Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: **Digital Resources

  • 2011 Making Toronto Safer

     

    Title:Making Toronto safer: a cost-benefit analysis of transitional housing supports for men leaving incarceration.
    Author(s):Stapleton, John|split|Pooran, Brendon|split|Doucet, René
    Corporate Author: Open Policy
    Chronicle Analytics
    Subject:Housing – temporary, emergency, homelessness|split|Housing – planning, policy|split|Crime – general
    Publisher:John Howard Society of Toronto
    Toronto Community Foundation
    Place of Publication:Toronto
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    In early 2010, the John Howard Society of Toronto commissioned a cost benefit study and analysis of Transitional Housing and supports (THS) for two types of ex-prisoners moving to the community from incarceration. The first group is comprised of homeless ex-prisoners (individuals often charged with petty theft, drug possession, public disturbances and who have no fixed address upon their release from custody. They have partially served their sentence in jail and will serve the remainder of it in the community, under supervision). The latter group is comprised of s810 sexual offenders (Section 810 peace bonds are court orders that enable the police to protect the public by requiring an individual who poses a threat to society to abide by specific conditions for up to one year and can be renewed). This proposition was to calculate the cost savings (if any) associated with the intervention of transitional housing and supports as opposed to their absence.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    G. LAW-CRIME/G.01 GENERAL/2011 making_toronto_safer.pdf

  • 2011 Making Research Matter

    Title: Making research matter: A progress report on Calgary’s research agenda to end homelessness.
    Corporate Author: Calgary Homeless Foundation
    Subject: Housing – temporary, emergency, homelessness
    Publisher: Calgary Homeless Foundation
    Place of Publication: Calgary
    Date of Publication: 2011
    Abstract: Calgary’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness (10 Year Plan) was launched in 2007 by Calgary’s Committee to End Homelessness and in January of 2008, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) was chosen to lead its oversight and implementation. There were several key strategies in the original plan, including a strategy specific to data and research. To improve data and systems knowledge the CHF, in consultation with academic and community researchers, engaged in the first Calgary Homelessness Research Symposium to develop a three-year research agenda in 2009. In 2010, the CHF began further consultation with local researchers, in part through the second Homelessness Research Symposium. More than 75 local researchers, academics, service providers and government representatives were in attendance. Their input and feedback were instrumental in updating the original research agenda and in aligning future research priorities with the goals and strategies of the updated 10 Year Plan.
    Language: English
    Material Type: Report

    D. HOUSING/2011 making_research_matter.pdf

  • 2011 Living Wage

     

    Title:Living wage: an introduction.
    Author(s):Cabal Garces, Maria L.
    Subject:Employment – wage issues
    Publisher:Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination
    Place of Publication:Guelph ON
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    Many Canadian families are finding it difficult to make ends meet even when they work long hours. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)1 reported that Canadian families in the bottom half of the population, those who have the lowest incomes from a 50% cut-off, are working more compared to families in the 1970’s, yet they have experienced a 24% drop in total earnings. Long work hours means that less time is available for family activities leading to difficulties balancing work and family responsibilities.
    For many Canadians then, having a job does not guarantee a route out of poverty, and in many cases makes them working poor. According to the CCPA3, the working poor are individuals who work year-round and full time but receive wages that are insufficient to lift oneself out poverty. The concept of a living wage, or a rate of pay high enough that allows families to afford a decent and dignified life, has been introduced as a way to improve the livelihoods of the working poor. Many lessons need to be learned from those who have used living wage policies as a tool to fight poverty. This report explores some of the issues related to their implementation.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.05 INCOME/2011 living_wage.pdf

  • 2011 Housing Outcomes Aboriginal

    Title: Improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal people in Western Canada: National, regional, community and individual perspectives on changing the future of homelessness.
    Author(s):Thurston, Wilfreda E.; Oelke, Nelly D.; Turner, David; Bird, Cynthia
    Corporate Author: University of Calgary; Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
    Subject: Housing – planning, policy; Housing – studies, surveys; Housing – temporary, emergency, homelessness
    Publisher: University of Calgary
    Place of Publication: Calgary
    Date of Publication: 2011
    Abstract: The purpose of this study was to create a framework designed to reduce Aboriginal homelessness in Western Canada. To achieve this goal, researchers reviewed homeless reduction policies, procedures and practises of organizations in seven Western Canadian cities that deliver housing services to homeless Aboriginals.They also studied the capacity of urban organizations to collaborate on an initiative dedicated to improving housing outcomes for homeless Aboriginal people.
    Notes:Prepared for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, National Housing Secretariat.
    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    D. HOUSING/2011 housing-outcome-Aboriginal.pdf

  • 2011 Street Involved Youth

    Title:Impacts of a peer support program for street involved youth
    Author(s):Currie, Cheryl L.|split|LaBoucane-Benson, Patti
    Citation:Published in “Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health” (Vol. 9, Issue 1)
    Subject:Housing – temporary, emergency, homelessness|split|Youth – programs, services|split|Poverty – specified groups|split|Indigenous peoples – inner city
    Publisher:Native Counselling Services of Alberta
    Place of Publication:Edmonton
    Date of Publication:2011
    Abstract:

    Homelessness is a growing problem in urban centres. The well-documented overrepresentation of Aboriginal peoples among the homeless in Canada makes it a particularly relevant issue for this population. Some of the most vulnerable homeless are youth who are at special risk for gang recruitment, prostitution, and exploitation. The Links program began in 2005 as a three-year project bringing street-involved youth and university students together to increase understanding, foster supportive relationships, and enhance the knowledge and skills of each group. Emphasis was placed on recruiting Aboriginal youth to the program. As a result 50% of street-involved youth who took part identified as Aboriginal. Qualitative evaluation data were collected via surveys, written assignments, and in-person interviews. Findings suggest the program created intense bonds between students and youth. Stereotypes were identified and broken down and youth were empowered to broaden their perspectives on what they could achieve. Both groups gained knowledge they can use to build a better future for themselves and their communities.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Article

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.09 YOUTH/2011 StreetInvolvedYouth.pdf

  • Sector Monitor, Vol. 1, No. 3

    Title: Sector Monitor, Vol. 1, No. 3
    Author(s): Lasby, David, & Barr, Cathy
    Citation: Vol. 1 No. 3
    Subject: Non-profit organizations – general
    Publisher: Imagine Canada
    Place of Publication: Toronto
    Date of Publication: 2011
    Abstract: This edition of the Sector Monitor looks at conditions in late 2010. The report presents results for the Monitor’s core set of tracking questions and summarizes the responses of 1,625 leaders of registered charities who participated in this version of the survey. The survey was conducted between October 28 and November 24, 2010. “This version of the Monitor is particularly significant because it marks the completion of our first year of regular surveys,” says Marcel Lauzière, Imagine Canada President and CEO. From this Sector Monitor “…the results are mixed. On one hand, the level of organizational stress appears to have receded; on the other hand, revenues still appear to be stagnating and are increasingly outpaced by expenditures. Perhaps more alarmingly, small organizations appear to be losing a steady trickle of paid staff.”
    Language: English
    Material Type: Report

    B. NON PROFITS/B.06 PUBLICATIONS/2011 sector_monitor1.3.pdf