SPR has conducted many housing-related projects for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,
the Ontario Ministry of Housing, Metro Toronto Housing Authority, and various municipalities.
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 have followed
throughout the 1980's, up to the present. Some major SPR projects in housing include:
- Review of Best Practices in the Redevelopment and 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 redevelopment-regeneration of social housing. Consultations
are also being conducted with regional and local housing organizations projects reflecting different redevelopment-regeneration models.
In addition, 8 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, 2009-2010);
- Evaluation of the Shelter Enhancement Program. This evaluation, initially conducted in 2001-2002 and replicated in 2008-2009,
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 2008-2009);
- 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. Positive impacts were noted and recommendations were made for the development of CHRA
services (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);
- 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);
- Homeownership Tracking Study. This study assessed the feasibility of tracking homeownership program clients over a 20-year period.
Telephone interviews and databases were used to track and locate homeowners who had moved (for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1993-94);
- Non-Profit Housing Social and Health Support Services Needs Survey. This study of 900 Cityhome households examined unmet
needs for support services and facilities for families, children and disabled individuals residing in Cityhome Housing
(for the City of Toronto, 1990-91);
- 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);
- Women's Health and Housing in Canada. This study provided a broad policy overview of issues in health and housing for Canadian women.
An analysis of Statistics Canada data was carried out, as well as consultations with the Provinces/Territories and advocacy groups, and a Delphi study
(for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1997);
- 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); and
- 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).
SPR has particular experience conducting surveys of
homeowners, residents, landlords and housing managers, having conducted numerous projects in housing over the past 25+ years.