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As Charito reminds us:

“Social connectedness is health. There’s so much evidence and research showing how essential social connection is to being healthy. It supports positive health outcomes and acts as a protective factor during climate events and other emergencies.”

We see housing as critical infrastructure for #multisolving in the midst of multiple overlapping crises, like #climatechange, rising #socialisolation and #loneliness, plus increasing #unaffordability. (2/3)

Approaches include...
- Installing a bulletin board for resident use
- Inviting residents to an online communications platform
- Giving easy access to an amenity room
- Optimizing communal spaces (lobbies, corridors) by using low-cost design elements that encourage social interaction

And many more!

In the article (and in our broader work), we present a wide range of approaches to fostering resident social connectedness in multi-unit housing, from easy, light-touch efforts to ones that require more sustained investments. 3/4

www.heyneighbourcollective.ca/2025/11/buil...

As our director @michellehoar.bsky.social puts it: “Landlords and property managers can do a little or a lot to support residents of their buildings to become more socially connected with their neighbours. Either way, the benefits can be significant for both sides.” 2/4

Great resources, Katia! Thank you for sharing. 🧰

“At the symposium, I found a great surprise: there are a lot of opportunities and people with a lot of different skills that are addressing the same topic; we are finding common ground, and working to find solutions for creating healthy communities."

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Scott emphasizes the need for staff training so staff and residents can build a stronger community together, and we can better collaborate across sectors with others who share the same goals.

youtu.be/iZBdAzg2iqE?...

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"I don't think decisions made in crisis are ever super sustainable. That's why we’re trying to work ahead of the crisis, or at least at the beginning stage of the crisis, to try to look for long-term solutions.”

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Beyond providing homes, Brightside also works to ensure these spaces foster social connection and community resilience. “When you’re in a crisis, your choices are so limited; you're just trying to put out fires rather than look for long-term solutions."

youtu.be/R3g9o4hcOPA?...

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