View source for Shared Space - Chapter 4 - Supporting Sustenance





As part of the shared space, knowing, doing and reviewing are key elements.

[[Knowing]]

Safe and clean human habitats comprise the [[foundation]]  of well being," and are a global social objective based on the [[World Summit on Sustainable Development]]  in [[200]] , the [[Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements]]  in [[1996]] , and [[Agenda 21]]  in the [[Rio Declaration on Environment and Development]]  in [[1992]] . Statistics show a lack of proper food, shelter, and clothing in [[Canada]] , [[lead]] ing to [[health]] , social and [[economic]]  problems.  

3.5 million [[Canadians]]  have low [[income]]  and are likely to remain poor for longer periods,in  particular groups such as [[women]] , [[Aboriginal]] [[Canadians]]  , young single people, recent [[immigrants]]  and people with disabilities. [[Canada]]  's [[income]]  gap has grown to a 30 year high, according to a study comparing the [[late 1970s]]  to [[early 2000s]] . [[Urban Poverty in Canada]] , found a disproportionate number of poor live in [[met]] ropolitan areas, and [[Poverty by Postal Code]] , published in [[2004]]  found substantial rises in [[poverty]]  in the [[last 20 years]]  in Toronto.

[[Community]] [[infrastructure]]   and individual capacity are used to address basic sustenance needs. The private [[sector]] , [[government]]  and [[communities]]  are involved in [[providing]]  sustenance. 

The [[government]]  has committed itself to the [[International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]] , however the [[1989]]  House of Commons resolution to eliminate [[poverty]]  by [[2000]]  was not largely [[successful]] .

[[Quebec government]]  has enacted anti-poverty legislation with [[Bill 112]] 's [[National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion]] , with reporting every three years. Interventions include promotion of [[school]] [[success]]   and social integration, basic [[education]]  and [[access]]  to continuing [[education]] , and volunteer and [[community]]  actions. Montreal declared a [[Montreal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities]] , with obligations for [[government]]  actors. The [[Government of Newfoundland and Labrador]]  released [[Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador]]  in [[June 2006]] , which calls for a long term plan.        

Government can intervene by investing in the supply of amenities, [[support]] ing entities such as developers willing to build affordable [[housing]] , and [[providing]]  land or land trusts to muncipalities and nonprofit corporations. Rehabilitation of land, policies, [[incentive]] s and [[tax credits]]  can also be used, as well as focusing on setting good wage conditions, [[government]]  benefit [[programs]] , and lower the cost of basics such as utilities and transportation for affected groups.    

Communities are involved in activities such as food banks and shelters. [[Habitat for Humanity]]  and the [[World Vision Canada Aboriginal Council]] [[provide]]   aid in constructing [[housing]] .

Non profit or social [[housing]]  are often confronted with ' [[not in my backyard]] ' syndrome, which can be countered by levering [[financial]] [[capital]]   for [[community]] [[economic development]]  .

[[Local governance can focus on complex, long term plans, whereas communities must focus tactically due to lack of resources while using created governance.]]   Coordination mechanisms, and comprehensive [[community]]  initiatives, that encourage [[collaboration]]  within integrated clusters of actions, [[government]]  and the private [[sector]] , are required.

[[Doing]]

In creating new stock, [[collaborative]]  work such as the [[Quality of Life CHALLENGE]]  in [[BC]]  linked federal, provincial, [[municipal]] [[government]]  , institutions and [[community]]  groups with the [[Housing Affordability Partnership]] . The flow of [[capital]]  was coordinated, and [[housing]]  trust [[fund]] s set up. Total [[fund]] s leverage 14 times the amount from provincial and federal [[government]] . By-law was [[influence]] d to join up work, create [[linkages]]  and [[scale]]  up efforts.

A [[2004]]  [[Canadian Housing Framework]]  proposal was [[collaborative]] ly developed by six Saint John [[business]]  and volunteer [[sector]]  representatives, [[lead]]  by the Mayor, non profits and other local [[stakeholder]] s. The results exceeded what individual proposals would likely have accomplished.

Service coordination is can be used to coordinate [[support]] s and services, especially for seniors and persons with disabilities. Communities can ease and coordinate assistance. Efforts to reduce costs can result in more realistic billing structures, as well as increased [[engage]] ment.   

Between clusters, adaptation, [[engage]] ment and opportunity can be combined with sustenance to [[provide]] [[access]]   to [[health]] y [[resources]]  such as cooking classes, [[engage]]  with helpful groups such as [[art]] ists, and opportunities in [[training]]  and [[community]]  run [[business]] es.

Higher [[wages]]  and [[benefits]] , including knowledge about existing benefits, are also encouraged or enforced through policy, [[community]]  and [[government]] [[intervention]]  .

[[Reviewing]]

Monitoring progress around [[quality of life]]  is growing, with many [[indicator]]  initiatives, including the UK's [[15 Headline Sustainability Indicators]]  and [[Sustainable Seattle]] . [[BC]] 's [[Quality of Life CHALLENGE]] [[provide]]  s information to the [[community]]  through [[indicators]] , where possible consistent with the [[Quality of Life Monitoring System]]  developed by the [[Federation of Canadian Municipalities]] . This enables comparing progress.

The first [[Quality of Life Indicators]]  report in [[1999]] [[provide]]  d a [[baseline]]  for population, [[community]] , affordability, [[housing]] , workforce, [[health]] , [[community]]  safety and participation; in [[2005]]  charts changes and expands scope. This [[provide]] s a sense of the current [[status]]  and changing [[profile]] , and a base for exploring data. [[The data provided a contradictory picture]] , reflecting a need to revise the knowledge base and monitoring progress.
 

[[Transforming or Reforming Capitalism - Chapter 2 - Ghorayshi, Gradon, Kliewer "Towards a Social Theory in Community Economic Development: Idealizing Community in the Era of Globalization"]]
[[Category: Documents]]