One of the underpinnings of LYNC’s approach to housing is our concept of “equitable” housing. You may wonder why we use this term as opposed to “affordable” housing. While affordable housing is based on a simple government calculation of financial need, equitable housing is so much more. Equitable housing is a wholistic approach that incorporates values of inclusion, dignity, intergenerational community and equal opportunity.
But is equitable housing truly “equitable”? Is it good for the community?
During one of our recent promotional events, we were approached by a man who was definitely not sold on our idea of bringing equitable housing to New Hamburg. What is equitable or “fair”, he argued, about charging market rent and subsidized rent for the exact same unit? What value would he be getting for his taxpayer dollars when he had to work so hard to keep a roof over his own head? After dusting off our bruised egos we gave the best response we could, probably something about social responsibility and housing as a human right. Still, those were fair questions, and it got me thinking.
I was reminded of a Bible story I heard as a child. This story tells of a wealthy land owner who needed workers to work in his vineyard. Early in the morning he went to the village square and hired a crew of men who agreed to work for a normal day’s wage. Around noon he again found men in the square looking for work. “Go work in my fields and I will compensate you fairly”. Once again, an hour or two before the end of the day he was in the square and saw men lounging about. “Why aren’t you working?” He asked them. “No one has hired us sir” they replied. “Go work in my field and I will pay you what is fair”. At the end of the day the men lined up for their pay starting with the last hired. Each was given a full day’s wage. By the time the workers hired in the morning came up they were expecting an extra bonus for working the entire day. They too received a full day’s wages. When they complained, the land owner said “Didn’t you agree to work a full day for a normal daily wage?” “We did sir” they replied. He answered one of them and said “Friend, I haven’t been unfair, I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you, should you be jealous because I am kind to others?”
Indeed, what is “equitable” in this story? And in our case what is equitable about our plan for the Mill Block Community? I think most people would agree that having safe and stable housing is foundational to our well-being. An equitable housing strategy ensures that all people – regardless of race, age, disability or family status – have viable choices for where to live now and in the future.
In a recent research paper “Mixed-Income Housing: The Model in a Canadian Context” (de Vos, Moore) the authors explore best practices and outcomes of equitable housing in Canada. They note that mixed-income housing can achieve greater economic or financial sustainability than traditional government funded social housing. In addition, the best practice of creating a building with no differences between market and affordable unit amenities and characteristics raises the bar for the quality of low-income housing. Equitable housing elevates the entire community by improving neighbourhood safety, developing social networks across income boundaries and reducing the potential for concentrated poverty environments (Levy, McDade & Bertumen, 2013).
Other best practices noted in the research include building social connections through common spaces and communal activities such as rooftop or community gardens, homework clubs and community kitchens. A strong commitment to tenant participation in governance and decision-making were also found among the most successful models.
LYNC’s concept for the Mill Block Community in New Hamburg embraces these best practices. Our vision is to create beautiful living spaces in the heart of rural communities. Our image of a thriving community is a place where people can find safe, secure and affordable housing irrespective of their financial means. Developing programs and access to social supports through our community kitchen, Bridges Out of Poverty programming, communal gardens and intergenerational interactions exemplifies the best practices noted by de Vos and Moore. In addition, we are in the process of developing governance and tenant participation policies that will involve all members of our community in a robust way.
Choosing to contribute to equitable housing either through philanthropy, your church offerings or even your tax dollars is a wise investment. As our communities thrive and prosper, our lives are enriched. As social networks expand beyond barriers, our minds become engaged. When we work together to meet our environmental responsibilities our passivity wanes and a sense of purpose is ignited.
Is equitable housing truly equitable? It’s still a fair question. Is equitable housing good for the community? We believe LYNC’s Mill Block Community will answer that question with a resounding “yes”!
Lisa Doherty
Vice Chair, Love Your Neighbour Communities
References
deVos, E., Moore, I. Mixed-Income Housing: The Model in a Canadian Context https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59eff881bce1768a5ba98f5f/t/5e8bb1dde99ccd3e4a155baa/1586213342510/de-vos-and-moore_mixed-income-housing_-the-model-in-a-canadian-context.pdf
Levy, D.K., McDade, Z. & Bertumen, K. (2013). Mixed-income living: anticipated and realized benefits for low-income households. Cityscape, 15(2), 15-28.