NHRC–CNRL



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.

Pam Ralston, City Representative for Western Canada and CHRA, announced this is her last report as City Representative. Outputs and outcome information is needed within the 10-year Plan in Alberta, and the province is working with the seven largest cities to develop a consistent reporting system of common indicators.

Laurel Raine, City Representative for Eastern Canada, reported on several research initiatives. The Streets to Homelessness cost analysis research is completed. The Housing Opportunities Toronto 10-year affordable housing plan will be out in the next few weeks. The plan will be presented to Council this month. Ottawa published a report examining social elements of public infrastructure to evaluate the outcome of public investments and competitiveness. From Montreal, a project on Moderate Density Family Housing at post-occupancy is now completed.

Presentation: The City of Windsor and Innovation in Housing

Debbie Cercone, Executive Director, Housing and Children’s Services, City of Windsor, provided the committee with a presentation that covered four distinct initiatives: Windsor’s Housing Analysis and Strategies, the Now House-type Windsor 5 retrofits underway for wartime houses, immigration and homelessness research, and innovative community-university partnerships.

Ms. Cercone began with background statistics on the City of Windsor and Essex County. With a population of 393,000, Windsor has the highest vacancy rate in the country at 50%, which presents a huge challenge. 42% spend more than 30% on rent, and 22% spend more than 50% on rent. Average turnover is 80 per month. There is no shelter for families and this area needs work. As well there are 8700 social housing units and 40 providers in the community. Windsor witnessed a downturn in the economy in 2006 earlier than others and depends heavily on the auto sector community.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy, launched in 2007, continues to build upon its predecessor program the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) that began in 2001 with a community planning process. It identified barriers for persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In 2002, the Taking Action on Homelessness Together Coalition was formed. It comprises 34 community organizations and individuals from the health, housing, education and social services sectors. Its studies have included Exits and Returns of the Homeless, Housing Conditions of Newcomers, Rural Homelessness and Housing Situations of Immigrants and Refugees.

The last study was completed in 2005 and is based on CMHC’s core housing need model with its three key components: 1) Adequacy, 2) Suitability, and 3) Affordability. Windsor is Canada’s fourth most diverse city with 15000+ new immigrants. For these reasons the study looked at the scope and causes of homelessness among immigrants and refugees. It examined how race, ethnicity, gender, age and other factors affect homelessness. Their experiences were highlighted and viewed in the context of social processes.

Several findings came from the study. Immigrants chose Windsor as a survival strategy, meaning family or friends had already settled in the area; the cost of living was lower than Toronto as an example; the weather is generally warmer; and proximity to Michigan allowed varied opportunities for employment and education.

The second initiative will see five wartime social housing units undergo energy retrofits to meet EQuilibrium™ housing zero net energy. The Windsor 5 Now House™ project launches on May 19, 2009, and community and corporate partnerships will help make this a success.

The University of Windsor has been an active partner in the housing community. In 2004 a University of Windsor Community Partnership was formed to develop community-based centres for neighbourhood renewal and development. Four communities now participate. In addition to the University, the partnership includes Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation, Housing and Children’s Services, Legal Assistance of Windsor, Windsor Police Services and CMHC.

A student Charette Design Group worked in partnership with CMHC, staff and residents with extraordinary needs at Chateau Masson to renovate and retrofit the facility. The housing corporation struggled with the high vacancy rate and the costs to maintain the facility. After a SWOT analysis an implementation plan was proposed that is both functional and supportive. The plan was to reduce the number of units, renovate existing units to make them resident-friendly and help residents retain their independent living.

Ms. Cercone advised that the most current Housing Analysis Recommendations Strategy (HARS) report was completed in 2004 and presented 78 recommendations to form a housing strategy that linked the vision and needs of the eight member municipalities. She concluded by saying there is an initiative to update the HARS report. This will include a rationalization of the social housing stock and reviewing and recommending coordination of housing programs, policies and action plans.

Presentation: Ryerson University’s Housing-related Research and Initiatives

Toronto’s Ryerson University is involved in a number of housing-related research projects. Professor Mark Gorgolewski of the Department of Architectural Science began with an overview that recognized the interaction between various faculties within Ryerson including architecture, business, geography, interior design and engineering and their co-involvement in these projects.

In the area of housing data, Dr. Gorgolewski explained one research project involves CMHC’s archival data and the history of small homes in Canada. This original research was initiated between 1946–1957; current research looks at existing model types to determine sustainable solutions for the future.

The next project involved three distinct and different Toronto neighbourhoods – Cabbagetown, St. Jamestown and Regent Park – and documents, from a sociological perspective, the tensions that result from certain gentrifying projects that make residents feel they are being pushed out. The evidence shows shelter beds are closing, the number of RGI housing is eroding and single-family homes are encouraged through Heritage Preservation. It asks the question who benefits from regentrification?

Green roofs are a significant area of research at Ryerson as the benefits include rainwater capture, reduction in GHG emissions, etc. The City of Toronto is preparing a bylaw to require green roofs on larger buildings. Much of the policy research was conducted at Ryerson to make a case for green roofs and cost savings to the City.

To address housing and transport issues, an Institute of Housing and Mobility has been established at Ryerson’s Faculty of Business. Current research in British Columbia examines decision-making of homebuilders and the transport and housing cost tradeoffs faced by households. Specific correlation has been found between density of development and health of communities.

Dr. Gorgolewski turned to sustainable communities and continued with the FLEXI living project that examines different models and how traditional neighbourhoods evolve and change over time to adapt to infill housing, extensions and additions. InHabit projects examine suburbia and the suburban model, the ways that traditional housing needs change, and how we must rethink the notion of what suburbia can look like. The University participated in a Russian archetype housing competition called Latitude that analyzes the impact of single-family homes on sustainable living and their ability to introduce change within a community.

In the area of urban agriculture Ryerson examined how this concept and the provision of food within cities can change the nature of spaces in cities. Carrot City was a lecture series and exhibition that addressed this issue.

In 2007 Ryerson had a winning entry – Top of the Annex Townhouses – in the EQuilibrium™ housing competition. The project involved three unique townhouses in downtown Toronto that would produce as much energy as they consumed in a year. The project confirmed that difficult urban infill settings showed potential for net zero energy housing. It also highlighted many municipal challenges and requirements

For the Solar Decathlon U.S. competition, Ryerson will submit an entry later this year. Related research will pursue the relevance of solar in Canadian housing models – apartments, condominiums, and RONA homes in the real markets.

A variety of research initiatives are underway that involve sustainable materials and building envelope technology. Initial modeling for Gemini House – a house with a 4-season core and a 3-season perimeter – suggests substantial energy savings can be achieved. Building envelope research includes water penetration, masonry cladding, brick veneer walls, and timber panels for structurally insulated walls. A test hut was constructed on the roof of Ryerson’s Architectural Building for a 5-year project that looks at the impact of climate conditions on building envelopes. A multi-country initiative examines architectural design as a driver of solar energy. Bubble foil insulation will be field-tested for its effectiveness in yet another project.

Dr. Gorgolewski concluded by saying the recent move towards research was dynamic for the University and would produce new ideas and many new models.

Emerging Research Issues: Associations, Academic Institutions and Federal Departments

David Harrison, Canadian Institute of Planners, addressed a research project with Infrastructure Canada that is awaiting approval. Last year, a new national affairs committee was established and three programs are planned: a climate change program, a First Nations initiative, and a healthy communities initiative with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Richard Copeland of the Intergovernmental Committee on Urban & Regional Research introduced some research done in the transit area and property assessment and taxation. Of most interest is a report commissioned by Communauté métropolitain du Québec on community patterns in the region that has just been published in French. ICURR is undergoing a website redesign that will open up to the public certain sections that were previously member-only.

Susan Irwin of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been working on positioning affordable housing and homelessness programs and linking these to the current economic crisis and advocating with the federal government to have housing as part of the stimulus plan. A Quality of Life Reporting System on Immigration and Diversity compared new immigrants to non-immigrants and looked at various labour and income issues. The Report is available on the FCM website. The next QoL report looks at housing and poverty.

François Pagé of Statistics Canada provided an update on the 2006 Census saying almost all standard products are now available. Statistics Canada is in the final stages of funding approval for 2011 Census. Content will include new subsidized housing questions and the condo questions will include renters. Three analytical articles are available linked to Aboriginal data for Inuit, Métis and First Nations based on the 2006 census. More data is being released from the Aboriginal Peoples Survey and Aboriginal Children’s Survey. Other upcoming releases include: 2008 General Social Survey “Social Networks” (June 25), Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (June 3). Recent releases include: 2007 Survey on Household Spending and 2007 Household and Environment Survey. Several monthly reports containing financial data on housing are also available.

Sharon Mason, HRSDC, advised that the Homelessness Partnering Strategy has been extended. Two items of interest: HRSDC is launching two calls for proposals for data development on homelessness and dissemination of good practices. HRSDC is committed to partnerships arrangements with provinces and territories and a small amount of research funding is available.

Francis Lavoie, Health Canada, reported on completed research in Toronto, Montreal, Windsor and Regina surrounding Indoor Air Exposure. A Revision of the Guideline for Exposure to Radon in Indoor Air resulted in The National Radon Strategy. Research in Progress includes a study in collaboration with Dalhousie University in Halifax on Indoor Air Exposure. Several directives that were produced since 1997 have now been revised to include new scientific data.

Vincent Brescia, Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, announced that a research project is planned that will compare federal and provincial tax incentives for renovations and the impact on renters and homeowners.

Emerging Research Issues: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

CMHC staff provided brief overviews of current research projects underway or completed.

Duncan Hill, Manager, Sustainable Housing Policy and Research, stated that the EQuilibrium™ housing demonstration initiative continues to be a major focus. Six projects have been completed and all are available to view on the CMHC website. These are in various stages of demonstration with a goal to raise awareness for net zero energy. The completed projects are ÉcoTerra in Magog, Now House in Windsor, Minto Inspiration in Ottawa, Chess in Red Deer, Riverdale in Edmonton, and Avalon in Red Deer. Two houses in Montreal are under construction and expected to be completed by year end. Two requests for proposals resulted in three winning homes: Moncton Vision, Green Dream in Kamloops and Harmony House in Burnaby. Current research includes builder fact sheets, and workshops will be held in Edmonton and Montreal that will broaden the reach of the program. Two housing demonstration projects are underway in Dawson and Nunavut. New research will include building envelope retrofits for existing stock and CMHC will work with Enercan on this project. Fact sheets will be produced. Individual research projects underway include a Performance Analysis of Residential Hot Water Efficiency Devices; Exterior Window Shading Devices for the Canadian Climate; and Payback Period for “Green” Building Features in Single Family Detached Dwellings. A Guide to Residential Wood Heating has been published.

Mark Holzman, Manager, Sustainable Communities Policy and Research, reported on completed projects: 1) Assessing Travel and Environmental Aspects of the Fused Grid, 2) Government-Imposed Charges on New Housing in Canada, 3) Inventory of Sustainable Community Best Practices, and 4) Smart Growth, Liveable and Sustainable Communities for Seniors. Other research activities in cooperation with municipalities were mentioned. Current research includes indicators and selection methodology for a potential Community Demonstration Project, Design Charettes for Sustainable Community Planning, and workshops for smaller communities.

Ian Melzer, Manager, Housing Needs Policy and Research, reported on behalf of Steven Ehrlich, Manager, Housing Finance & Capital Markets. Two examples of current research focus on finance mechanisms in support of sustainable housing and mortgage market information for consumers. Both studies will be published later in the year.

Ian Melzer, Manager, Housing Needs Policy and Research, began with projects related to housing indicators. These included the first published issues of a series of research highlights on housing conditions based on CMHC custom data, such as core housing need, from the 2006 Census. Housing in Canada Online (HiCO) has also been updated with this data. The 2008 Housing Observer contained a feature article on the dynamics of core housing need based on longitudinal data from the annual Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics. Other recently published Research Highlights include a report on low-income urban households not in core housing need, the final three issues of a series on housing conditions based on CMHC custom data from the 2001 Census, and a study on housing affordability trends in selected metropolitan regions over the period 1981–2001. Recently published research in the area of housing solutions for groups with distinct housing needs includes: Settling In: Newcomers in the Canadian Housing Market 2001-2005; Affordability Challenges and Rental Market Dynamics in small Nova Scotia communities with community college campuses; and Adapting Your Home to Living with Dementia – a guide and resource book done in collaboration with the Alzheimer Society of the Niagara Region. Research currently underway includes: Housing Persons with an Intellectual Disability in Intentional Communities, Impact of Business Cycles on Core Housing Need, and Profile of the Housing Conditions of Canadians Aged 15 years and Older with a Mobility and/or an Agility Disability.

Reporting for Michel Blondin, Manager, Aboriginal Housing Policy, Mr. Melzer mentioned one completed study called Preconditions Leading to Market Housing on Reserve and one current study Linking Economic Development Opportunities to Aboriginal Housing.

Nancy Walker, Manager, Information Transfer and Outreach reported on responsive programs, in particular the External Research Program, stating that grant recipients have been announced. Housing Awards Program winners are being promoted throughout 2009. Applications for the Housing Studies Achievement Award are being accepted until May 8 and winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on November 3, 2009. Two e-newsletters are available to subscribers: Housing Technology (5800 subscribers) and Housing Research (3500 subscribers). A social media campaign is planned for EQuilibrium™ that will align with current demonstrations.

Leslie Jones, CHIC, spoke about an initiative to make available full text of older research through the library catalogue and that this has been ongoing for reports since 2002. More and more older reports will be added. The vision is to have a database of all CMHC reports available in digital format.

Presentation: Performance of the New NHRC Website and Future Directions

Magaly Obas, Consultant, provided preliminary observations on the new NHRC website with a focus on search engine optimization (SEO), website activity for March and April, and other considerations.

Search engine optimization helps to increase a website’s search engine rankings among popular search engines such as Yahoo and Google. NHRC’s goal is to ensure relevant content, increase search engine rankings, ensure a good user experience and set a benchmark.

Ms. Obas advised that an understanding of current users was necessary – particularly how they search for NHRC and housing topics. Can they find us in search engines? Can they navigate the site easily? If the answer is yes, this will point toward a positive experience and encourage referrals to the NHRC site.

She provided definitions for the following terms: visits, unique visits, page views, hits, bounce rate and exit rate and reported on recent statistics.

March marked the official launch of the website. Internal marketing efforts included a newsletter and an email announcement. Statistics indicated 1500 visits of which 1000 were unique. The average length of time spent on the site was 5 minutes. However, 76% of the visitors spent no more than 2 minutes on the site.

In April Google Analytics was installed and provides more data. User statistics showed 1300 visitors. 82% were new visitors while 18% were returning visitors. The average time spent on the site decreased from 5 minutes to 2.5 minutes. The majority of users are NHRC staff and members and because no new content was added there has not been a reason for visitors to return.

In terms of content, the top viewed pages are the English home page and splash page as these are probably bookmarked by users. The following top viewed pages are hubs, CHRN and repositories. Of the last three pages no more than one minute was spent on each. As one of the top viewed pages, the CHRN has 76 people signed up and marketing efforts should be increased to include additional calls to action to pique interest. The bounce rate from these pages indicates that either users are finding exactly what they need or they are not interested in this content. Ms. Obas indicated there is room for improvement.

Similar statistics apply to the French content on the website. Bounce rates are relatively high and once again content should relate to users.

Traffic sources indicate that 66% use search engines to get to the NHRC website. Top three keywords are: NHRC, RQOH and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and with these keywords the NHRC website shows up between 4 and 8 as the result on Google searches. These rankings can improve with more referrals and increased repository visibility.

Ms. Obas concluded with several observations. More effort is needed to keep users interested in the content. Recommendations going forward are to increase calls-to-action as these are working on the site. Add links to other pages, documents and videos. Get referrals from other sites. Use the home page for announcements, application deadlines, timely news items, etc. Update content frequently.

Task Group Discussion on the NHRC Website

Richard Copeland of ICURR reported on Housing Research Repositories. The Task Group concluded a teleconference that determined steps going forward. The repositories portion of the new NHRC website is already highly popular, and a federated search capacity, or Union catalogue, for end users would be a value-added benefit. This has remained in the background along with a question of how to offer this service to access CHIC, SHQ, ICURR, etc. online through NHRC. Smaller libraries may not be compliant with these types of searches. Going forward the first easy to accomplish goal would be to identify repositories with electronic catalogues and identify these to NHRC website visitors i.e., “Here is a list of searchable repositories with catalogues on housing.” This identification can be done in-house by CHIC staff. The Task Group can develop a survey to determine who would participate. An investment in shareware would be required if the more complex federated search capacity was envisaged (one search across all repositories).

David Crenna and Michael Buzzelli co-presented on the Nurturing Emerging Housing Research Community Task Group. They reported on the results of an Institute held February 12–14 at The University of Western Ontario. The idea of an Institute emerged in the last 18–24 months due in part to the economic crisis. Housing is often a key part of other policy initiatives. There is an impending generational succession in the housing community. The Institute’s goals were to consider demand for education, career pathways, current state of university-level education efforts and develop options to increase this knowledge. Of the 33 senior-level participants, 11 were current or recent graduate students. Very little information exists on housing knowledge needs. There is a core of 15 university-level housing educators looking at whole housing systems. Among this core group there is a limited sharing of curriculums and networking. A 30-question open-ended survey will be written and distributed to students and focus group participants across Canada since the field is small enough to accomplish this successfully. Recommended next steps are to mobilize current capabilities such as the NHRC bulletin board and website, promote and integrate dissemination of housing knowledge through CHIC, expand housing educational capabilities through a core curriculum and/or textbook, and increase support in the form of CPRN internships, accreditation, to those wanting to enter the housing field.

Speaking for the Linking Researchers Task Group, Madhavi Patel reported that next steps for the 48 various hubs will be defining a process to accomplish regular annual updates. A social media campaign is planned to raise the profile of the hubs, interact with them more and reduce exit rates and bounce rates from the website.

The Task Group on Strengthening the Community-based Research Community includes the University of Alberta, SHQ, and CMHC Policy & Research. Jim Zamprelli stated that the 400-member strong Community-based Research Network of Canada has launched its own website, that the NHRC website is already on their site as a link and there is an opportunity to interface more. The NHRC coordinator is participating in a community-based research conference at Carleton University later this month. Several presentations at the NHRC spring meeting were community-based.

Wrap-Up

The committee was reminded of the NHRC fall meeting on November 2–4, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ottawa. It will be in conjunction with the Housing Student Achievement Award dinner.

Members were advised that video interviews with housing experts are being conducted to post on the NHRC website. To date, participants include Claude Roy, SHQ; Phil Brown, City of Toronto; and Kevin Sullivan, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The spring 2009 NHRC Newsletter contains many articles that reference the spring sessions.

Laurel Raine and Pam Ralston were thanked for their combined efforts and commitment as Eastern and Western Canada municipal representatives. Kate Moffatt was thanked for her contribution to the Housing and Population Health Working Group now the Distinct Needs Working Group over the last two years.

In closing, the Administrative Committee was thanked for its input into planning the agenda for the spring meeting. NHRC staff Nancy Walker, Linda Prud’homme and David Stansen were also thanked. The meeting summary will be available through the NHRC website.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download