Health and Home

Provides an overview of the provisions used by B.C. municipalities for affordable housing, including zoning; other land use regulations; development of approval procedures; taxation, fees or charges; housing corporations and societies; lands and financing; information services; and political leadership and advocacy.

Examines 272 single parents living in social housing on the east side of Vancouver. Finds that housing conditions mediate between the negative effect of macro-level factors that determine socioeconomic status on health (i.e. the causes of poverty) and wellbeing at the micro (family) level. That is, housing can improve health and wellbeing, despite more systemic social indicators which determine health. The authors argue that it is not housing conditions, or affordability, that has the most effect on wellbeing, but the social structure of the housing environment: the ability to influence one's housing situation was positively correlated to health and wellbeing.

Identifies and describes long-term residents of the Victory Square Planning Area, grouped into five categories. Based on interviewers and surveys, identifies key issues of development, safety, shopping, and health (including its relationship to housing). Identifies housing concerns.

Final draft of a proposal to establish the Institute for Health Research and Education (IHRE) at Simon Fraser University. The objectives of the IHRE would be to coordinate and support applied, biomedical and social scientific health research at the university. The institute would support faculty engaged in health-related research and would develop and offer graduate programs in health. This proposal describes the IHRE in terms of its purpose; vision; proposed areas of activity; administrative structure; and system of governance and reporting. Attached to the proposal is a letter from SFU's vice president to SFU faculty with interests in health research. The letter identifies several key issues discussed at a recent meeting about the IHRE proposal, with regard to the definition of "health" they will use; the need for the University to support established health research areas; the need for clarification with regard to the relationship between IHRE and various academic departments; and the need to bring together faculty with opposing views in order to develop an Institute that reflects diverse priorities.