STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITY 2
Champion the Island’s Prosperity
With the unwavering commitment of Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid, CBU received one of the largest research grants in its history, with $1.3 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The funds were awarded to lead a national study to examine affordable rental housing for those in greatest need.
Dr. Leviten-Reid is an Associate Professor in the MBA in Community Economic Development program in the Shannon School of Business and a researcher focused on informing policies and programs to support affordable housing for all. She explains that this is essential for community development and growth.
“Creating a support system to address housing insecurity will advance our collective effort to foster healthy residents and communities,” says Dr. Leviten-Reid. “If we can determine how to remove the barriers to housing security for those most vulnerable, we can help shift their focus to more forward-thinking pursuits instead of on the basic necessity for housing.”
Dr. Leviten-Reid will be joined by a research team that includes academics and organizations from across Canada. The team will examine the shared experiences and the unique considerations for those living in communities in other provinces.
“We want to understand how different kinds of affordable rental housing impacts the lives of marginalized individuals and families,” says Dr. Leviten-Reid.
Under current practices, Dr. Leviten-Reid explains that governments use distinct forms of affordable housing interchangeably. An individual or family on a waitlist for housing might be offered a public unit, a rent supplement for a specific unit in non-profit or market-based housing or be given a cash benefit they can use for a rental of their choice.
With the insights of Stephen Augustine, CBU Associate Vice President, Indigenous Affairs and Unama'ki College as a collaborator on the project, the research will examine the housing experiences in Indigenous communities.
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2016; CBRM, Planning Dept., 2016; INSPQ, 2016;Projection: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 20N
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2016; CBRM, Planning Dept., 2016; Province of Nova Scotia, 2020; Leviten-Reid, 2016. Projection: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 20N. Map by Melanie MacDonald.
Dr. Leviten-Reid has been researching affordable rental housing in Cape Breton since 2012. The current project will build on the knowledge gained about people’s experience with housing insecurity and homelessness. This work is welcomed by the local agencies working with those in greatest need of affordable housing.
Cape Breton Community Housing Association (CBCHA), the Nova Scotia Health Authority, New Dawn Enterprises and the Community Entity on Homelessness are local partners in the Cape Breton region. Fred Deveaux, Executive Director of the CBCHA, says CBU plays an important role in identifying pathways toward affordable housing for all.
“The partnered research we have conducted with CBU over the past few years has been highly relevant and impactful,” notes Mr. Deveaux. “This is an incredible opportunity to continue that work, to partner with others across the country and to inform affordable housing policy and practice here and across Canada."
The universities and partner organizations involved in the project include Carleton University, the University of Saskatchewan, University of British Columbia, BC Housing, the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Association on Rural and Remote Housing and Homelessness and the cities of Ottawa and Saskatoon.