Placemaking for Inclusion: A Guide to Tenant-Based Initiatives is a resource for affordable housing providers and tenants who are seeking to undertake their own tenant-based initiatives while fostering greater social inclusion in their community.
Placemaking for Inclusion was a project within RDN’s Sustainable Housing Initiative which aimed to enhance social inclusion in affordable housing communities and combat negative stereotypes. Supported by funding from the Community Housing Transformation Centre’s Community-Based Tenant Initiative, the project explored how tenant-based initiatives can challenge negative stereotypes and foster social cohesion among affordable housing residents and their neighbourhoods.
This guide, stemming from a tenant-based initiative in Edmonton, Alberta, shares essential insights to empower tenants in leading initiatives that can reshape their communities and foster connections. It seeks to inspire others by showcasing the transformative potential of such initiatives in promoting social cohesion and breaking down barriers.
The Placemaking for Inclusion project helped bring a wave of positive change to the vibrant community of La Société des Manoir – St. Joachim. Through a tenant-based approach, senior tenants were empowered to craft a beautiful community mural, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within their shared space. This initiative not only beautified the environment but also facilitated meaningful connections among residents and local community members. Gatherings over delicious food and drinks further strengthened bonds, creating an inviting atmosphere of camaraderie and inclusion that resonated throughout the community.
As a testament to its success, the project also produced a guide for tenant-based initiatives, offering a roadmap to help other affordable housing providers and tenants follow suit. This resource encapsulates the learnings and best practices garnered from the project, equipping communities with the tools to create their own tenant-based initiatives. By sharing insights and strategies, the guide paves the way for diverse initiatives that prioritize meaningful community engagement with affordable housing tenants.
We brainstormed and some said nature and multiculturalism because we are a multicultural building, with people from many different countries and ethnicities here. So we wanted something to represent that, and the mural will make us a landmark in the community as there i s alot of foot-traffic in the community.
St. Joachim Tenant on the Community Mural
Placemaking for Inclusion
There were people there who don’t normally show up to different functions. Everybody was doing something somewhere and were happy to participate and help others
St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event
Placemaking for Inclusion
The atmosphere was quite welcoming for everyone. One person said they had been here for 20 years and this was the best event they had seen. The busyness of the room encouraged cliques to break up and this increase mingling
St. Joachim Tenant on the Mural-Painting Event
Placemaking for Inclusion
It really brought the community together. Overall it was a great success. We also really enjoyed the painting, it was a great opportunity for those who had never painted before.
Senior Tenant, La Société des Manoirs Saint-Joachim
Placemaking for Inclusion
February 1, 2024
Affordable Housing, Inclusive Communities, Placemaking for Inclusion
A resource for affordable housing providers and tenants seeking to foster greater social inclusion in their community. Click the button to view the resource as a PDF file.
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