Housing and Urban Affairs

SPR has conducted numerous housing-related projects for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Metro Toronto Housing Authority, and various housing agencies. SPR's methods have often introduced innovations in this field of research. For example, the firm's 1979 mail surveys for an Evaluation of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) provided a survey model which CMHC evaluations followed throughout the 1980's. Some major SPR projects in housing include:

Review of Best Practices in the Redevelopment-Regeneration of Social & Affordable Housing in Canada. This current research project involves a Canada-wide scan (via an on-line survey) to identify best practices in the redevelopment-regeneration of social housing. Consultations are being conducted with regional and local housing organizations projects, reflecting different redevelopment-regeneration models; and eight case studies will be conducted with representatives of redevelopment-regeneration projects which have been completed or are nearing completion (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2009-2011);
Evaluation of the Shelter Enhancement Program. This evaluation, initially conducted in 2001-2002 and replicated in 2008-2010, involved surveys of shelters, clients of shelters, regional contacts and physical inspections of shelters to assess the impact of this renovation program on the physical condition of buildings, play areas for children and security systems. A unique feature of the 2009 evaluation involved a survey of leaders' and professionals' views from over 120 First Nations and other Aboriginal communities across Canada (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2001-2002 and 2008-2010);
Review of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA). This review examined the CHRA's performance from 2006 to 2008, in providing information and housing-related services to the non-profit and broader housing sectors. An on-line survey of some 1,000 non-profit and other housing and social service stakeholders was used to assess the CHRA's achievements, communications, and web-site (for the CHRA, 2008-2009);
Review of the Newcomers Guide to Canadian Housing. This evaluation examined users of this CMHC publication through telephone and web surveys of newcomers to Canada, potential newcomers to Canada still residing in China, India and the Philippines, and staff of settlement and housing help agencies in major Canadian cities. Comparisons were drawn to the situation of Canadians generally and the way in which housing information maximizes the quality of newcomers' housing choices in terms of homebuying and finding rental accommodation (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2007-2008);
Evaluation of the Homeowner Education Training Program (HETP) Pilot. This evaluation assessed the value-for-money of HETP in the Auditor General Framework, with an emphasis on a cost-effectiveness analysis. Telephone, web, FAX and mail surveys were conducted to assess the impacts of two main information treatments on over 2,000 potential homebuyers: HETP in-person seminars; and CMHC web and print publications. Impacts were assessed in a quasi-experimental design and applied a variety of regression models (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2004);
Metro Toronto Housing Authority (MTHA) Resident Satisfaction Surveys. A random sample of 9,000 MTHA residents were surveyed by telephone and mail to provide guidance to MTHA on a variety of housing management issues. Surveys focused on resident satisfaction, including: overall satisfaction; quality of service; levels of maintenance; quality of safety; community and recreation services; and communications (for the Metro Toronto Housing Authority, 1997-2000);
Next Step Evaluation. This evaluation examined the role of second-stage shelters in assisting women who have experienced family violence to secure new long-term housing, and build socio-economic independence. Data was obtained through national bilingual surveys of shelter staff, Federal, Provincial and Territorial fund providers, and a survey assessing client satisfaction. A cost-benefit analysis compared the impacts of second-stage shelters to the provision of longer-term housing through existing housing programs. The final report recommended a strategy for new private-public partnerships for improved use of existing social housing (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1996-97);
Evaluation of the Urban Social Housing Program. An evaluation of non-profit and rent supplement housing in Canada, this study involved cross-Canada telephone, mail and in-person surveys of over 4,000 tenants and 2,000 housing managers in the Non-Profit/Rent Supplement and Urban Native housing programs (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1993-96);
Project Haven Client Information System. This study developed a client information system for the evaluation of family violence shelters. Data was collected on more than 9,000 women using shelters, along with related data on non-resident services. A centerpiece of the study was the development of unique instruments and indicators for recording the entry and exit of shelter clients (the ease of use of these instruments was widely praised by shelter staff, including those in First Nations. The final report highlighted a number of policy issues, including the need for economic services (income support, training) for women experiencing family violence (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1993-94);
Evaluation of Co-operative Housing Programs in Canada. This study involved telephone and mail surveys of 9,500 co-operative housing residents and 1,400 Boards of Directors in all Provinces and Territories. The study examined costs and social benefits of living in co-operative housing (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1989-90);
Evaluation of the Public Housing Program in Canada. Surveys of 4,800 public housing project managers and more than 3,500 tenants across Canada emphasized issues such as housing repair and maintenance (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1988-89).