Places Group

Recent and Current Projects

Below are some of the projects Places Group Associates have been responsible for.  The list includes current and recent projects, as well as significant projects from other work that relate to the experience our team brings to your concerns.

>>Click on project image for more information

	>> North American Housing and HIV/AIDS Research Summit VI
	National AIDS Housing Coalition Ontario HIV Treatment Network U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development September 19 to 21, 2011 - New Orleans
	Summit VI brought together researchers, policy experts, consumers and providers of HIV/AIDS housing to discuss evidence-based housing practice and policy with a focus on the potential of housing strategies to address HIV health outcomes and to preventing new infections. Research is starting to show clinical evidence that stable housing is a significant factor in supporting treatment and other interventions in helping to make and keep people with HIV/AIDS healthy. Russell Mawby's plenary presentation addressed the implications of this work on housing policy, and vice versa.

	The Future of Housing in Ontario: A commitment to healthy communities
	Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) - 2010
	The Province of Ontario was embarking on a review of housing policy and programs.  OMSSA wanted to consolidate the perspectives of its members who deliver wide range of  social service programs to encourage the government to completely rethink the role and goal of housing policy.  The stated goal is to move beyond providing housing programs to rethinking the role that housing plays as a foundation for employment, supporting individuals, families, and seniors, and to build strong communities a strong economy.  The paper is available by request from OMSSA

	Integrated Housing Administration IT System
	New Brunswick Department of Social Development with xwave (New Brunswick) - 2009
	The Social Development Dept. wants to transform their social housing business to maximize its contribution to broader social and economic policy objectives. This project helped develop a new IT and business processes system to align the current complex and fragmented administrative systems to streamline operations, minimize the administrative burden, improve client service and enable real-time understanding of how housing is performing in meeting those broader objectives.

	Integrated Waiting List for Supportive and Social Housing
	Ottawa Social Housing Registry and Ottawa Supportive Housing Network - Summer 2009
	Places Group developed a business case for integrating access to supportive housing in Ottawa with the existing (and mandated) centralized social housing waiting list. Benefits will include a central point of access for social and supportive housing applicants; minimal duplication; and better data about the continued demand for social and supportive housing.

	Good Practices Benchmarking and Indicators
	Agency for Cooperative Housing - Fall 2009
	Places Group associates are developing a good practices monitoring and reporting system for cooperative housing providers across Canada. Existing financial reporting will be supplemented with management and performance measures along with improved peer-to-peer tools to improve operational and community outcomes.

	Métis Housing and Development Strategies
	Métis Nation of Ontario - Spring 2009
	Places Group undertook a review of strategies and opportunities for the Metis Nation of Ontario to develop greater capacity to address housing needs in Ontario.

	>>Examining the Social Elements of Public Infrastructure
	City of Ottawa - 2006 to 2009
	This research project examines the nature and definition of infrastructure at the municipal level and how funding decisions are made to provide for it. The focus is on investments in social infrastructure, including housing, influences and contributes to the economic vitality and competitiveness of a cross section of Canadian cities.

	>>Improving the Housing System in Northern Ontario
	Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) - Winter 2009
	This discussion paper explores the role that housing plays in Northern Ontario in social, health and economic development policy. Current approaches to housing and social policy are disjointed. A more integrated approach to Provincial policy and program development and implementation is needed, with more respect for local decision making to meet local needs.

	>>Neighbourhood Design Options Study
	City of Saskatoon - 2002 to 2004
	This study reviewed existing City of Saskatoon neighbourhood design standards and recommended new standards to support the City’s desire to encourage sustainable growth, establish sustainable neighbourhood design and facilitate diversity of design. The Study considers not only land use and urban planning issues, but also the social and economic context in which neighbourhoods are developed and redeveloped.

	>>Alternative Neighbourhood Design Costing Study
	City of Saskatoon and Crosby Hanna and Associates - 2003
	This study was undertaken to explore the development and operating cost and revenue implications and market viability of various new street and lot-design standards that would enable a wider variety of housing forms, types and prices to be developed. In general, allowing standards that match those found in Saskatoon’s older neighbourhoods provided the greatest flexibility.