In B.C., the growth and aging of populations and the changing economy drive an immediate and growing need for affordable housing. The social and geographical diversity of B.C. provide unique challenges that require joint efforts to improve housing for vulnerable citizens and to stimulate the economy. Important housing research is conducted at UVic, UBC, through community-based organizations such as BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), and through divisions of government such as BC Housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Following a UBC SCARP symposium in 2009, a decision was made to create a series of three roundtables to mobilize campus, community, and industry alliances in order to coordinate, conduct and disseminate research that leads to a multi-sectoral response to issues of housing affordability.
Victoria
Roundtable 1 was hosted by the Office of Community Based Research at the University of Victoria and was held on February 5, 2010. Funding for the first roundtable was provided by MITACS, the Vancouver Foundation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the University of Victoria.
Roundtable 1 Participants included 85 people from Victoria, Vancouver Island and B.C. Lower-Mainland: community representatives, nonprofit housing providers, representatives from Vancouver Island homelessness coalitions, UBC and UVic academic leaders, housing researchers, graduate student researchers, business leaders, developers, architects, funding partners, faith-based housing providers, and government representatives (municipal, provincial, federal).
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Vancouver
Roundtable 2 was hosted by the School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC and was held on December 3, 2010. Funding for this second roundtable was provided by MITACS and CMHC.
Roundtable 2 Participants included 58 people from the BC Lower-Mainland, Victoria and Vancouver Island: UBC and UVic academic leaders, housing researchers, graduate student researchers, business leaders, developers, architects, funding partners, non-profit housing providers, and government representatives (municipal, provincial, federal), and community representatives from housing and homelessness coalitions.
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Kelowna
Roundtable 3 was hosted by UBC Okanagan and was held on February 18, 2011. Funding for this third and final roundtable was provided by MITACS and CMHC.
Roundtable 3 participants included 53 people from Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Osoyoos, Summerland, Oliver, the B.C. Lower Mainland, Victoria and Toronto: First Nations Band representatives, housing researchers, nonprofit housing providers, government representatives (municipal, provincial and federal), community representatives from housing and homelessness coalitions, the media, graduate students, and UBC/UVIC academic leaders.
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