Tales of the Balmoral: Social Housing in Vancouver

Description

This Visible City activity introduces students to the social housing situation in Vancouver, focusing specifically on the Balmoral and its large neon sign. Through photos and interviews, students will get an idea of the housing provided by the Balmoral, as well as why this building is valuable to people in the Downtown Eastside despite its often dangerous environment. Students will also learn about social assistance in Vancouver as it relates to housing, and as it relates to the average rent prices in the city. To conclude, students will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of housing in the Balmoral, and suggest improvements for the conditions they find problematic.

Learning Objectives

Demonstrate effective research skills, including accessing and assessing visual and auditory information and primary documents in order to form a critical opinion
Learn about the social housing situation in Vancouver, with emphasis on the Balmoral
Learn the basics about social assistance in B.C
Analyze key provisions of the Canadian social safety net and their impact on Canadian society, specifically social assistance
Learn how to search for rent prices in Vancouver and analyze how they differ based on the area of the city
Demonstrate a knowledge of historical and contemporary factors that help define Canadian civic identity, including governance, and rights and responsibilities
Collaborate in a group to identify problems with social or subsidized housing sites and suggest alternatives

Activity

1. Research:

How can you apply for social assistance in B.C? What sorts of information must you provide? Use the Ministry of Social Development website: http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca This lesson plan is supported by audio-visual materials, part of a complementary learning object collection hosted by the Virtual Museum of Canada at http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/index-eng.jsp. The collection consists of original images and interviews prepared by the Museum of Vancouver for TheVisibleCity.ca
What are the social assistance rates for housing and for living costs in B.C for a single person? For a single mother? For a family? Use the Ministry of Social Development website: http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca
Based on newspaper ads, Craigslist, or other websites, list the average price of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the most inexpensive areas of Vancouver.
Choose one other social or subsidized housing building in the area and describe what it is like, as does the information provided about the Balmoral.

2. Discussion Questions.

Judy Graves suggests that housing at the Balmoral is a last option. Why do you imagine someone might decide to stay at the Balmoral?
What other kinds of housing is available to low income people in Vancouver?
What does this mean for low-income communities in Vancouver and the support services that they rely on in the area?
Based on your above observations, how do you think the large neon sign of the Balmoral relates to the history of the building?

3. Group work and class discussion:

Judy Graves mentions that she is still grateful that the Balmoral exists, despite its sub-par housing and often dangerous environment. Based on the information provided, make a list of advantages and disadvantages of housing of this kind existing in Vancouver. Then, work with your group to come up with a couple suggestions about how to improve the conditions that you find problematic. Present your suggestions to the class, remembering to explain what problem you are addressing and why, as well as why your solution might enhance what already exists.