No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In the United States, traditional urban centers, particularly in the Northeast, have suffered from neglect, dilapidation, and the general decay of their built environments over the last 50-60 years. Corresponding with this on the social side are increased poverty, unemployment, crime, and the disruption of the family unit. Our current knowledge of the disciplines of architecture and sustainability can be applied to a built solution that will yield a greater public good. Good design can improve the lives of people by creating homes, neighborhoods, and villages that are comfortable, secure, and sustainable for all of the activities that make life enjoyable. Sustainability not only allows us to help save the planet and ourselves, but it also allows for the conservation of the limited resources that might be available to inner-city middle to low income populations. If a family’s or a city’s basic resources are drained by homes and buildings that perform poorly, there will be an impact on the overall quality of life and reduced possibilities for that family (or that city) to improve their standard of living. Early on, in this process, I had thought about the Six Corners neighborhood of Springfield as a candidate for this design intervention. When an F3 tornado devastated the neighborhoods of Six Corners and Old Hill on June 1, 2011, the problem became clear and I decided to focus my attention on a particularly hard hit area on the border of the two neighborhoods, which has become the subject of this thesis.

Skalholt 1 is a massive, to a large extent vacant old office building in Kista, a business park 13 km northwest of central Stockholm. As are many other offices in this area; all while housing is desperately needed and very expensive.This thesis work aims to suggest a few, cost effective actions that can change this building into attractive, long term housing – considering both the identity of the building and the qualities of the homes created there. Fundamental values are to reuse as much as possible and respect the longevity and quality of the materials, while  seeking to crate homes that can accommodate the needs and desires for a diverse range of families.The result of the project is a suggested Strategy with actions in 5 aspects: -    To create a visible, welcoming and attractive entrance with services and amenities. -    To change the color scheme of the building. -    To create an lush garden in the vast inner courtyard. -    To offer large areas that can be shared in various ways in order to create a feeling of ownership and security also outside ones own apartment (home elasticity). -    To carefully distribute apartments in such a way that individual preferences can influence how daylight and space is used.

No description available.

The growth in cities has sparked an increase in the cost of living, making it harder for local residents and families to remain in the city. In Washington DC, the gentrification of neighborhoods and lack of affordable housing is causing low-income residents to be displaced and forcing them to look elsewhere for affordable options. The DC neighborhood, Navy Yard, saw one of the most intense displacements of low-income residents. My thesis asks the question: can architecture and its design sustain the primary function of housing but also create a positive long-lasting effect on the occupants' wellbeing? In navigating that question, my thesis explores how human-centered design provides sustainable housing options for low-income residents while also supporting and strengthening the already existing communities within the city. The building, designed for single-parents with children, serves as a space of refuge and community despite the loneliness and isolation that can come with living in a city. All the individual spaces create a building that understands the needs of its occupants, and re-defines how affordable housing should be designed.The private amenities, used exclusively by its occupants, positively adds to their everyday comfort and serves as a place of gathering for those living in the building. The public spaces included in the building address the needs of the neighborhood and provide support to the surrounding residents as well. This project was designed to create spaces that improve the occupants mental and physical health, and design an infrastructure that will affordably sustain itself for years to come. Incorporating biophilic and human-centric design allows the focus to shift from simply creating housing to also investing in the quality of life of our residents. / Master of Architecture / The growth in cities and rise in the cost of living, has made it harder for local residents and families to continue living in the city. In Washington DC, the development of neighborhoods and lack of affordable housing is forcing low-income residents to move and look elsewhere for affordable options. My thesis asks the question: can affordable housing be more than just a place of refuge, but can it also improve the residents wellbeing and strengthen the surrounding community. The design of this building focuses on the importance and the effect that a healthy building and a strong community can have on a single-parent and their child. Each space within the building was designed with the families in mind and the value it brings to their wellbeing. The private spaces gives the residents a support system and a space to gather. The public spaces included in the building provide support to the neighborhood and allows for the entire community to interact. Using my research and by incorporating design elements that are scientifically-proven to have positive benefits to the residents mental and physical health, a building is created that adds value to the residents everyday life. The goal is to design spaces that improve the occupants mental and physical health, and design a building that creates a community within and with the surrounding neighborhood. With the resident's health and wellness in the center of the design, my building shifts the focus from simply creating housing to also investing in the quality of life of our residents.

The intent of this thesis is to investigate whether there is a place for low-income residents in gentrified neighborhoods by examining how the housing needs of these households are provided. Affordable housing development and maintenance are key components for preserving a place for low-income residents in gentrified communities. This paper investigates the provision of affordable housing through the renovation of the historic Whitelaw Hotel in Washington, D.C. by recreating the renovation events from interviews with participants in the project to document the obstacles to and benefits of the success of these projects. The paper also examines the issue of affordability and sustainability of affordable housing projects. Affordable is a subjective term. Local jurisdictions determine the income criteria that establish eligibility for affordable units. In many cities such as Washington, D.C., the area median income (AMI) used to determine eligibility is higher than the median income of the neighborhoods in which the affordable housing is located. A high AMI increases the number of households eligible for subsidized housing, which heightens competition for these units pitting very low-income households against households earning almost twice their income. Also, the sustainability of affordable units is contingent on many factors. There are mechanisms for preserving affordability and many limitations, including personal decisions, which impact their longevity. This paper found that while the renovation project successfully created affordable housing there was little consensus by interview participants on the definition of affordability or whether the project is sustainable as affordable housing after the low-income housing tax credits expires. / Master of Science

Indigenous populations in Canadian urban centres have grown tremendously in recent years. One of the biggest challenges when Indigenous peoples move to urban centres is finding safe, affordable housing. The research focuses on the need to increase urban affordable housing options and highlights the community land trust as a model for providing perpetually affordable housing for urban Indigenous populations. A documentary analysis was completed to determine the housing needs and potential options for Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The second part examines the Little Earth of United Tribes Homeownership Initiative located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Homeownership Initiative, which partners with the City of Lakes Community Land Trust, was chosen because it specifically targets Indigenous peoples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to further inform the case study and to provide greater background information. The two parts were brought together to determine how a community land trust might complement the range of Indigenous housing options currently available in Winnipeg. / October 2016

Business leaders lack strategies to implement the employer shared responsibility provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Small businesses pay approximately 18% more than larger companies for the same health coverage. Within a conceptual framework of management by objectives, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies small business leaders use to implement the employer shared responsibility provision of the ACA. Data were gathered from the review of company documents, observations, and semistructured interviews with 5 senior business leaders from small business organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Data were coded via Atlas.ti to identify themes from the narative segments. Key themes that emerged from the study included business cost, lack of transparency, and consultation. Recommendations include examining alternative health providers to reduce company health premiums to improve business costs, network with other small businesses for ACA clarity, and work with health consultants for new business processes. Implications for social change include contributing to the effective implementation of the employer shared responsibility provision of the ACA that can improve the economic well-being of small businesses.