“Not Just an Apartment Building”: Residents’ Quality of Life in a Social Housing Co-operative

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the impact that two social housing complexes have had on their residents' quality of life. These two complexes, known as Tannery Court Co-operative Ltd., target a specific segment of the affordable housing market: non-elderly singles. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess the quality of life of residents. The data collection strategy used semi-structured interviews conducted with the help of a questionnaire. A total of 43 interviews were completed at the two building sites. Analysis of interview and questionnaire data identified six areas of improvement in residents' quality of life. These are life in general (an overarching dimension), housing (the focus of the Tannery Court intervention), neighbourhood (including safety and appearance), food, self-confidence (an enabling dimension for future development of projects and goals among the residents), and financial situation (a key dimension because of its multiple impacts on other aspects of life). RÉSUMÉ L'objectif de cette recherche était d'évaluer l'impact des deux complexes de logements coopératifs Tannery Court sur la qualité de vie des résidants. Ces complexes ciblent un segment particulier du marché du logement social, les célibataires d'âge actif et vivant en deçà du seuil de la pauvreté. Cette étude utilise une méthodologie mixte pour évaluer la situation et la qualité de vie des résidants. La stratégie de cueillette de données s'appuie sur des entrevues semi-dirigées effectuées à l'aide d'un questionnaire. Au total, nous avons complété 43 entrevues. Six aspects de la qualité de vie se sont améliorés de façon significative. Il s'agit de la vie en général (une dimension globale), le logement (l'objectif premier visé par l'équipe de Tannery Court), le quartier de résidence (dimensions importantes de la localisation d'un complexe comme la sécurité et l'apparence) la confiance en soi (une dimension clé pour le développement futur de projets et d'objectifs pour les résidants), la nourriture (en raison de l'accès à des électroménagers) et la situation financière (une dimension majeure étant donné son impact sur les autres composantes de la vie).

Public health should promote co-operative housing and cohousing

“…The Co-operative Housing Federation of BC states that co-op communities are made up of people who are socially, ethnically, and economically diverse (Cooperative Housing Federation of British Columbia, 2017). Some co-ops are established specifically for socially excluded citizens, e.g., those with mental or physical disabilities under financial hardship (Thériault et al, 2010). Co-ops are more likely to be run by a board of elected representatives, rather than having all residents take part in decision making as occurs in cohousing situations (Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia, 2017; Thériault et al, 2010).…”

“…Some co-ops are established specifically for socially excluded citizens, e.g., those with mental or physical disabilities under financial hardship (Thériault et al, 2010). Co-ops are more likely to be run by a board of elected representatives, rather than having all residents take part in decision making as occurs in cohousing situations (Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia, 2017; Thériault et al, 2010). Much like cohousing, co-op residents undertake maintenance of common areas, caregiving including delivery of food or packages, and/or gardening.…”

“…Much like cohousing, co-op residents undertake maintenance of common areas, caregiving including delivery of food or packages, and/or gardening. In one study of co-ops in Atlantic Canada called Tannery Court, residents who came to the dwellings from homelessness or other distressed housing reported a significant improvement in their general wellbeing and perceived safety, often citing the importance of feeling helpful to other members of the community (Thériault et al, 2010).…”

“…In neighbourhoods where there is a great deal of social housing, RSLs mediate resident disputes and act as a catalyst for resident involvement in improving dwellings and upgrading community environments (Flint & Kearns, 2006). Social housing and co-ops tend to be most effective when residents have access to transit, services, and shops, which helps to alleviate social exclusion (Thériault et al, 2010).…”

“Urip Iku Mung Mampir Ngombe”; Konsep Kebahagiaan Masyarakat Miskin Pesisir Yogyakarta di Era Industrialisasi

“…Maggino mencatat bahwa perkembangan itu telah membawa konsep kebahagiaan dan kesejahteraan subjektif sebagai topik inklusif yang berlaku untuk semua jenis kebudayaan, kelompok mayoritas ataupun minoritas (subgroups), dan kelas sosial yang lemah seperti petani tanpa alat produksi (Davey, Chen, & Lau, 2009). Penelitian mengenai konsep kebahagiaan telah diterapkan untuk beragam fenomena sosial, termasuk dalam dimensi dan aspek kebahagiaan pada masyarakat urban dengan contoh kasus pada komunitas di Rusunawa (Adams, 1992;Bruscaglioni, Cellini, & Saracino, 2015;Thériault, Leclerc, Wisniewski, Chouinard, & Martin 2010), dan masyarakat pinggiran (Berry & Okulicz-Kozaryn, 2011;Knight, & Gunatilaka, 2010a;Knight, & Gunatilaka, 2010b;Liltsi, Michailidis, & Partalidou, 2014;Michalos, 1983). Dua karakter masyarakat atau komunitas ini memungkinkan penemuan baru mengenai konsep kebahagiaan.…”