Perceptions of Housing & Homelessness in Ottawa

Institution: University of Ottawa

CSWB plan priority / Ottawa's 2023-2026 Term of Council priority: Housing

Project Term: Fall 2024

Course Code: CMN 5100

Professor(s): Maria Cherba

Group Member(s): Alex Freedman and Jiaji Feng

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Objective(s): The primary objectives of the project are as follows:

Analyze Media Representation: Examine how traditional and social media portray homelessness, identifying patterns of bias, dehumanization, and exclusion.

Understand Public Perception: Evaluate how media narratives shape public attitudes and contribute to systemic challenges like NIMBYism.

Promote Inclusive Narratives: Develop strategies to amplify the voices of individuals experiencing homelessness, emphasizing their humanity and systemic challenges rather than stereotypes.

Recommend Communication Strategies: Propose evidence-based, human-centered approaches to reshape public discourse, including the development of an “Ottawa Homelessness Encyclopedia” as a centralized resource for accurate and transparent data.

Support Policy Goals: Align findings and recommendations with Ottawa’s broader housing policies to foster sustainable, long-term solutions.

Potential for Impact: In the short term, this project has the potential to shift public attitudes by humanizing individuals experiencing homelessness and challenging negative stereotypes. Media campaigns timed to align with seasonal trends can foster greater empathy and engagement, while the development of an accessible encyclopedia provides tools for balanced reporting and public understanding. In the long term, these strategies can contribute to systemic change by promoting inclusive housing policies, reducing NIMBY attitudes, and fostering a compassionate, equitable community. By reshaping narratives and fostering dialogue, the project can support Ottawa’s vision of sustainable urban development and inclusivity, addressing homelessness as a societal issue rather than an individual failure.