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Homelessness is also a health issue. The association betweenhomelessness and poor health has been documented in numerousstudies. 65 Homeless people are at increased risk of death and suffer froma wide range of health problems, including seizures, chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, musculoskeletal disorders. They are also at anincreased risk of tuberculosis, poor nutritional status, and AIDS. 66 Theprevalence of mental illness and substance abuse is also higher amongthe homeless. 67 The relationship between homelessness and health iscomplex. Homelessness can directly impact health. For example,crowded shelter conditions can result in exposure to tuberculosis orinfestations with scabies and lice. Long periods of walking and standingmay result in prolonged exposure of the feet to moisture and cold whichcan lead to cellulitis, venous stasis and fungal infections. 68 Many of therisk factors for homelessness, such as poverty and substance use, are alsorisk factors for ill health. Health conditions, particularly mental illness,may contribute to and be exacerbated by homelessness.Addressing Affordable HousingIn the City of Edmonton (Alberta), the Cornerstones Plan (2006–2010) has a number of grant programs to assist with housingaffordability. Building grants for new long term affordable housing projects Grants for the purchase or renovation of existing housing stock A municipal fee rebates program for new multi-unit affordablehousing projects, and A rent supplement pilot programTo help persons with limited mobility find accessible housing, theCity of Gatineau (Quebec) partnered with a community organizationto create a directory of properties — both for rent and for sale —appropriate for clients requiring accessible and adaptable housing. “Entre-Deux-Roues” makes it easier for people to find homesthat are suited to their needs and gives property owners anincentive to make available units that are adaptable andaccessible. <strong>It</strong> helps the loss of the existing accessible and adaptablehousing stock and encourages renovations in support ofaccessibility. <strong>It</strong> improves the return on investment both for private propertyowners and government agencies offering financial assistance.Nishnawbe Homes Dundas Street ProjectThe Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Aboriginal Housing Program willdeliver $20-million in new affordable rental units, homeownershiploans and home repairs for low-income Aboriginal households in theGreater Toronto Area. The province is working in partnership withlocal Aboriginal housing providers and Miziwe Biik DevelopmentCorporation, to deliver the GTA Aboriginal Housing Program. TheCity of Toronto facilitated the development of these affordablehomes by waiving development fees and charges, and exemptingthe development from property taxes for 25 years.Healthy Toronto by Design | Toronto Public Health, October 201113
"Affordable housing is alsosmart economic policy." 69- TD Bank Financial GroupOrganizations such as the Toronto Board of Trade, 70 the Greater TorontoCivic Action Alliance, 71 and the Conference Board of Canada 72 havecalled attention to the importance of housing for building healthy andprosperous communities which contribute to the overall economicsuccess of a city. Good quality housing has positive influences on healthwhich can reduce health care costs and improve participation,productivity and performance in the workplace. 73 Housing can alsoinfluence access to education, nutrition, recreation and employmentopportunities which can lead to better health outcomes. 74 An adequatesupply of affordable housing can attract business investment andemployment to an area which has an overall impact on the social andeconomic conditions of an area. 75NeighbourhoodsThe neighbourhoods within which we live can shape our health. Socialand economic features of neighbourhoods have been linked withmortality, self-rated health, disability, birth outcomes, chronic conditionsand their risk factors, mental health, injuries, and violence. 76 There isevidence that neighbourhoods with greater concentrations of low-incomeresidents, inadequate and unaffordable housing, lack of public andprivate goods and services, and high rates of social disorder are high-riskenvironments where residents experience poor quality of life andnegative short and long-term health consequences. A Canadian studyfound that residents of Toronto neighbourhoods with higher-than-averagemedian income and greater proportion of postsecondary graduates aremore likely to report better health than residents of less affluentneighbourhoods. 77Where we live mattersto our healthThe ways in which neighbourhoods affect health are complex.Opportunities and constraints presented in communities with differentsocio-economic conditions can shape the educational attainment,employment prospects, and income level of individuals which, in turn,can influence health. 78 Features of the physical, service, and socialneighbourhood, over and above the individual socio-economic79, 80characteristics of residents, can also play a role in shaping health.Revitalizing CommunitiesKilbourn Park and the Milwaukee RiverfrontActive and former industrial areas are often accompanied bydegraded environments and little community presence. In the city ofMilwaukee, Wisconsin, the local government has re-connected thecommunity to its downtown Milwaukee River that had once been hostto breweries and tanneries. The City partnered with community andbusiness stakeholders to invest in a "River Walk" of landscapedwalking trails and terraces, sailing and canoeing schools, and culturalevents along the river's edge.Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Commons, TorontoToronto's new waterfront parks like Sugar Beach and SherbourneCommons have brought trees, lawns and sand back to neglectedareas, and have drawn businesses and residents to the waterfront.Healthy Toronto by Design | Toronto Public Health, October 201114
Page 9 and 10: Qualities of Great CitiesFactors th
Page 11 and 12: esidential permits issued, which is
Page 13 and 14: It is well-recognized that the cond
Page 15 and 16: climate change. Heat contributes to
Page 17 and 18: Accessible and affordablepublic tra
Page 19: HousingHousing and homelessness are
Page 23 and 24: neighbourhoods as a result of high
Page 25 and 26: EducationThere is a strong relation
Page 27 and 28: Building Healthy and Sustainable Fo
Page 29 and 30: Making Cities HealthyThe social, ec
Page 31 and 32: Planning influences people's health
Page 33 and 34: Building a Healthy CityOne way to e
Page 35 and 36: ConclusionsGreat cities are cities
Page 37 and 38: 1516171819202122232425262728293031G
Page 39 and 40: 444546474849505152535455565758Frank
Page 41 and 42: 767778798081828384858687Pickett, K.
Page 43 and 44: 99Young, M. E., ed. (2002). From ea
Page 45: 126 Hancock, 1993, cited above.127

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