Poor Housing: A Silent Crisis Book Launch & Community Symposium

Date:

21 October, 2015 to 22 October, 2015

Book Launch

Wednesday October 21 at 7pm
McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park Mall

Community Symposium

Thursday October 22 from 8:30am to 4pm
West End Commons, 641 St. Matthews Ave.

Poor Housing examines the range of challenges people who must live in inadequate, low-income housing in Winnipeg face and highlights a number of successful low-income housing initiatives. Across Canada, there is a severe shortage of decent quality housing that is affordable to those with low incomes, and much of the housing that is available is inadequate, even appalling. Using Winnipeg as an example, Poor Housing examines the real-life circumstances of low-income people who are forced to live in these conditions. Contributing authors examine some of the challenges faced by low-income people in poor housing, including difficulties with landlords who abuse their power, bedbugs, racism and discrimination and a wide range of other social and psychological issues. Other selections consider the particular housing problems faced by Aboriginal people and by newcomers to Winnipeg as well as the challenges faced by individuals living in rooming houses.

The launch for Poor Housing will feature a brief panel discussion from contributing authors Sarah Cooper, Josh Brandon, and Jessica Klassen, moderated by Jim Silver. Each panelist will speak briefly to a particular housing issue in Winnipeg and suggest ways to address and overcome these issues.

The following day will be a Community Symposium, hosted by the Manitoba Research Alliance, to discuss Canada’s low-income housing crisis - from theory to action. Lunch will be provided (contact info at spcw.mb.ca with dietary need). The parking ban for the area will be lifted. Books will be available for sale at the event for $25.