National Network for Equitable Library Service

This book examines the real life circumstances of low-income people who are forced to live in poor housing. It examines the history and current status of low-income housing in one typical Canadian city, Winnipeg. Poverty and racism and a consistent unwillingness on the part of governments to invest in decent housing for low-income people are themes that are found throughout the book. It offers a close examination of some of the serious challenges faced by low-income people in poor housing, including difficulties with landlords who abuse their power, and challenges with bedbugs and a wide range of other social and psychological problems. The book considers the particular housing problems faced by Aboriginal people and by newcomers newly arrived in the city, as well as single individuals living in rooming houses. The central role played by all three levels of government in the provision of decent quality, affordable housing for low-income people is considered. A cost-benefit analysis of the provision of social--that is, subsidized--housing is included, and it finds that for society as a whole, the benefits of providing subsidized housing for low-income people far outweigh the costs. And a number of creative and successful housing strategies for low-income people are described, including Aboriginal housing co-ops, a revitalized public housing complex, and a highly creative repurposing of an inner city church, whose congregation has largely left for the suburbs, into supported social housing. In these successful cases, communities and governments have worked cooperatively to good effect.