Synopses & Reviews
Under One Roof is a case study of an innovative and alternative model of community economic development, one quite at odds with the conventional export/free market model of CED. Using the North End Housing Project in Winnipeg as his focus, Lawrence Deane assesses the strategy of housing as the centrepiece for CED. The people in William Whyte neighbourhood founded and ran NEHP to buy, renovate, rent and sell housing to residents of one of the lowest-income locales in the city. Not only did their efforts provide some adequate, affordable shelter and increase the surrounding housing values, but the project was also the catalyst for jobs for the unemployed, an economic base for the area and building the social capital of the neighbourhood,including a strong Aboriginal focus. The lessons learned at NEHP will be valuable to anyone concerned with community development that works.
Synopsis
This case study of an innovative and alternative model of community economic development describes a unique project that shows how building and renovating housing can greatly improve the social, economic, and political life of an inner city neighborhood. Using the North End Housing Project (NEHP) in Winnipeg as its focus, the strategy of housing as the centerpiece for community economic development is thoroughly assessed. The NEHP began in one of the lowest-income locales in the city buying, renovating, renting, and selling residences, providing affordable shelter and increasing the nearby housing values. This model proved to be a catalyst for jobs, an economic base, and a foundation of social capitalneighborliness and community organizationin the neighborhood.
About the Author
Lawrence Deane is assistant professor at the University of Manitoba Inner City Social Work Program, a degree program for inner city residents. He has worked in community economic development for more than 20 years and is a founding member of the North End Housing Project (NEHP).