Community Sweep 2008 Summary

The experience on Saturday was more positive largely as a result of the fantastic weather contrasting with the unseasonably cold weather on the Tuesday night. Weather excepting, the new initiative this year of canvassing the parks was well worth it though the parks did not represent the diversity found in other areas. The park regulars tended to reflect higher incomes and Caucasian.  Other locations were a mix of newer young professionals, older couples, newer Canadians families as well as remaining concentrations of historical settlements (i.e. Portuguese, eastern European).  The polarization of income and ethno-racial characteristics trends outlines in the CURA maps was confirmed by observation and resident feedback re neighbourhoods in advanced, advancing and slow gentrification.

(Note: responses we slightly different than previous years because we steered the conversation with the information and questions we asked)

By the numbers:

About 200 interactions of which about 150 were characterised as substantial

There were 8 requests for help, 5 offers of help and 11 people who want more info on SCH

Majority of people did not know of SCH and of the approx 50 who knew, they lived closer to 248 and 588.

About 15 had a negative impression of SCH which for the majority of those people was modified as a result of conversation with sweeper

Of the substantial conversations approx:

1/3 were about SCH services only

1/3 were about neighbourhood change/poverty only

1/3 talked about both

1/3 thought change was generally good

1/3 thought change was generally bad

1/3 thought change had good and bad dimensions

Social Issues (weighted) 

Increased poverty

Lack of affordable housing

Decline of public schools and shift to private

Mental Health and Addictions

Health/Home Care

Wages/Income/Expenses (i.e tax and utilities)

Youth programs

Daycare

Inadequately supported social housing

Neighbourhood Change Issues

Losing diversity (value social mix)

Racism

Property Tax

Safety and Cleanliness

Community Connectedness/Social Isolation Commercial Strips changing (more expensive chains – less culturally appropriate)

Becoming a destination