The problem with which this pilot study is concerned is to examine selected characteristics of tenants living in government-subsidized housing in an attempt to determine whether or not they differ significantly from tenants who qualify, but do not live in government subsidized housing and to determine if a relationship exists between these differences and the move to subsidized housing.

No description available.

This dissertation comprises three main chapters, book-ended by an introduction and a concluding chapter. Chapters 2 and 3 examine the impacts of health insurance programs in the Philippines and Indonesia on healthcare utilization, healthcare expenditures, and health outcomes. Chapter 4 then examines the age-related trajectories of health-related quality of life of Canadians with diabetes. In Chapter 2, we examine the impact of the national health insurance program of The Philippines on maternal and health outcomes among poor mothers. We find that the program is associated with greater likelihood of prenatal care visits, facility-based birth delivery, and post-natal care, and the impact is most pronounced among the poorest women, but we do not observe improvements in birthweight. In Chapter 3, we evaluate the impact of Jamkesmas, the largest subsidized health insurance in Indonesia, on healthcare utilization, health outcomes, and healthcare expenditures. We find that Jamkesmas is associated with higher probability of using outpatient care and inpatient care and lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures, but no significant impact on catastrophic healthcare expenditures and health outcomes. In Chapter 4, we characterize the age-related-trajectories of health-related quality of life of Canadians with diabetes. We find that women and low-income individuals with diabetes experience a lower health-related quality of life trajectories, but there is no evidence that the rate of deterioration of their health-related quality of life is faster than their counterparts without diabetes. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Across the globe, wildlife populations are facing increasing challenges, with many taxonomic groups significantly declining. Among endangered vertebrates (including birds, non-avian reptiles, fishes, mammals, and amphibians), turtles are one of the most threatened groups with over 60% of the 356 recognized species classified as threatened or worse. Bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), are among the most imperiled of North American freshwater turtles. These small, secretive turtles have declined by up to 90% in parts of their range, which consists of the Northern Population and the Southern Population, and spans the eastern U.S. from New York to Georgia. These declines are mainly documented in the northern part of their range, but recent work in North Carolina suggests that turtles in the southern part of their range are similarly declining. Prior to this research, surveys aimed at estimating abundance had not been conducted in Virginia since the late 1990's. The research described here was conducted as part of a state-wide population assessment of bog turtles in Virginia. For my first chapter, I conducted capture-mark-recapture surveys in six wetlands in Floyd County, Virginia during 2019 and 2020, and generated abundance estimates. These wetlands had been surveyed in the same manner in 1997, which provided me the opportunity to compare recent abundance estimates with those generated from the 1997 data. My analyses suggest that turtle abundance across these six sites has declined by approximately 50% since 1997. This decline appears to be driven by, but not wholly attributable to, the alteration and loss of habitat at 2-3 of the 6 sites. Habitat loss is acknowledged as one of the major drivers of population declines throughout the range of the bog turtle, in addition to illegal collection for the international pet trade. Due to the life history traits of this species (long life span and low fecundity), the loss of an individual from any life stage from the population can have detrimental effects. While many turtle populations are not heavily impacted from periods of low reproductive success, numerous subsequent years of complete nesting failure can negatively impact population-level survival. Recent studies have suggested that anthropogenically subsidized nest predators may be playing a role in continued nest failure at certain wetlands. My second chapter investigated the factors associated with anthropogenic footprint (i.e., buildings) and infrastructure that may be driving nest predation by these subsidized predators. In 2019 and 2020, I conducted a field experiment in 35 wetlands which utilized artificial turtle nests to investigate variation in nest predation across Montgomery and Floyd Counties, Virginia. I found that increases in the percent of developed land-use and other metrics of anthropogenic disturbance significantly increased nest predation, while increases in the percent of land-use without roads or buildings significantly decreased nest predation. The findings from these two chapters are consistent with population trends documented in other parts of the bog turtle range, and build upon prior studies to investigate drivers of nest predation. These results provide information that can be used by managers to aid in the conservation of this state endangered species, and suggest further courses of research for future projects. / Master of Science / Across the globe, wildlife populations are facing increasing challenges, with many taxonomic groups significantly declining. Turtles are one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates with over 60% of the 356 species of turtle classified as threatened or endangered. Bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), are among the most imperiled of North American freshwater turtles. These small, secretive turtles have declined by up to 90% in parts of their range, which consists of the Northern Population and the Southern Population, and spans the eastern U.S. from New York to Georgia. Prior to this research, no information on population trends was available for Virginia. To address this knowledge gap, I conducted surveys for bog turtles in six wetlands in Floyd County, Virginia during 2019 and 2020, and used the data from those surveys to estimate how many turtles were present in the wetlands. These wetlands had been surveyed in the same manner in 1997, which provided me the opportunity to compare recent estimates with those generated from the 1997 data. My analyses suggest that the total number of bog turtles present across these six sites has declined by approximately 50% since 1997. This decline appears to be caused at least in part by the alteration and loss of habitat at 2 of the 6 sites. Habitat loss is thought to be one of the major drivers of population declines throughout the range of the bog turtle, in addition to illegal collection for the international pet trade. Recent studies have suggested an additional problem, that anthropogenically subsidized nest predators may be playing a role in continued nest failure at certain wetlands. Animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bears can persist in greater numbers around human habitation, as we provide extra food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, deer feeders, etc. I investigated the factors associated with human infrastructure that may be driving nest predation by these subsidized predators. In 2019 and 2020, I conducted a field experiment in 35 wetlands using artificial turtle nests to investigate variation in nest predation across Montgomery and Floyd Counties, Virginia. I found that nest predation was significantly higher in areas with a higher percent of developed land-use. The findings from these two studies are consistent with population trends documented in other parts of the bog turtle range, and build upon prior studies to investigate drivers of nest predation. These results provide information that can be used by managers to aid in the conservation of this endangered species, and suggest further courses of research for future projects.

Yes / We suggest that real collars may be acceptable incentives for encouraging development of low (or no) carbon energy generating facilities as an alternative for high feed‐in‐tariffs. We provide novel analytical solutions for real collars and partial collars, plus floor and ceiling partial derivatives. The ‘gains/losses’ of the energy generator as perceived parameter values change are compared to those of the government providing the collar, and floor or ceiling only, viewing the arrangement as a real option game between principal and agent. A volatility increase first increases, then decreases the ‘gains’ of the generator.

In 1995, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took over the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) on grounds of mismanagement and failure to revitalize a failing housing stock. When the CHA regained independence five years later, in 2000, the agency launched the most extensive redevelopment effort of public housing in the nation’s history. This paper assesses the extent to which the CHA has succeeded in meeting the directive outlined by the Plan for Transformation. It concludes that, despite setbacks in meeting specific goals, the CHA has demonstrated itself to be an effective and accountable housing agency. Nonetheless, the CHA needs to addresses shortcomings in the transparency of management, efficiency of operations, and accessibility of services.

Le contexte libanais actuel de l’enseignement est caractérisé par une pluralité de types d’établissements et par une liberté d’enseignement. Ces établissements (publics, privés, subventionnés) connaissent, chacun à son niveau, de grandes difficultés qui les menacent, et de véritables problèmes accentués par divers phénomènes sociaux, économiques et politiques. Cette réalité a des incidences notables sur l’état actuel de l’enseignement scolaire en général, sur le statut de chaque type d’école, sur le niveau professionnel des enseignants et sur les réussites scolaires. Notre étude cible les écoles subventionnées, comme constituant une originalité libanaise. C’est un secteur « compromis », situé au croisement du privé et du public, offrant une qualité d'enseignement avec une scolarité accessible à une population défavorisée. L’étude vise à voir de près les enjeux en termes d’équité éducative, et à repérer, au sein d’une situation contraignante, l’aspect militant de certains enseignants de ces écoles, visant à atténuer les sentiments d’équité (sur-équité et sous-équité) et à réduire les écarts par l’efficacité éducative. Les conditions de travail sont à l’origine d’un épuisement professionnel chez certains enseignants. Elles sont par ailleurs un moteur-défi pour d’autres enseignants qui réussissent à se développer professionnellement malgré tous les facteurs de risque. Ce phénomène s’apparente au concept de résilience éducationnelle introduit récemment dans le monde de la psychopédagogie. La résilience du personnel scolaire se présente alors comme un facteur primordial valorisant l’évolution professionnelle et l’efficacité éducative en milieux scolaires modestes et ayant à réguler, en conséquent, certaines in-équités entre apprenants et entre milieux scolaires. / The current Lebanese context of the education is characterized by a plurality of types of establishments and by a freedom of education. These establishments (public, private, subsidized) know, each at the level, of great difficulties which threaten them, and with real problems stressed by diverse social, economic and political phenomena. This reality has notable incidences on the current state of the school education generally, on the status of every type of school, on the professional level of the teachers and on the successes at school. Our study targets the subsidized schools, as constituting a Lebanese originality. It is a sector, situated in the crossing of the private and the public, offering a quality of education with an accessible schooling to a disadvantaged population. The study aims at seeing closely the stakes in terms of educational equity, and at spotting(locating), within a binding situation, the militant aspect of certain teachers of these schools, to limit(ease) the feelings of equity (on equity and sub-equity) and to reduce discard by the educational efficiency. The working conditions are at the origin of a professional exhaustion at certain teachers. They are besides an engine-challenge for other teachers who manage to develop professionally in spite of all the risk factors. This phenomenon is similar to the concept of “resiliency in education” introduced recently into the world of the education. The resiliency of the school staff appears then as an essential factor(mailman) valuing the professional evolution and the educational efficiency in modest school circles and having to regulate, in consequent, some in equities between learners and between school environment.

<p>The transformed municipality – Economic and social growth in Örnsköldsvik 1997-2007</p><p>Author: Kristina Hansson</p><p>This thesis focuses on the economic and social growth in the municipality of Örnsköldsvik. It is a single case study and the municipality is studied through economic theories concerning regional growth in the period of 1997-2007. The aim is to analyse whether these theories, such as Åke E. Anderssons and Ulf Strömquists K-society, and other more or less microeconomic assumptions, also are applicable in smaller local contexts. The aim is fulfilled through a mix of text analyses, interviews with leading politicians, civil servants and executives, together with definitions of several quantitative characteristics of economic and social growth. Alternative theories in the thesis concern identity, trust and social capital. Seven independent variables are studied: infrastructure, economic and commercial policy, steering by goals, streamlining, public purchase, marketing and higher education. The results show that while Örnsköldsvik has experienced an extraordinary economic growth, the social growth lags behind. The conclusion is therefore, that economic theories are not enough to explain both economic and social growth at the municipality level. This strengthens the assumption that the explanation to municipal growth in reality lays in the local forces.</p><p>Keywords: structural change, local growth, municipal taxes, public- private cooperation, state-subsidized stimulating measures</p>

In the Spring of 2011, I conducted 12 interviews with public housing tenants in Victoria, British Columbia. This research became the focus of my MA thesis research in anthropology. Both BC Housing's directly managed buildings and non-profit housing were included. My thesis aims to understand the motivations of tenants who desire to leave public housing and to situate these motivations within the framework of "push" and "pull" factors. In other words, to understand whether the desire to leave public housing stemmed from within in the housing system (push) or outside of it (pull). All participants reported push factors, though a few had been pushed from unsatisfactory public housing into satisfactory public housing. However, most participants felt stuck as they did not have the resources to pay for unaffordable market housing. The dissatisfaction they faced in public housing stemmed from problems with management/staff, problems with neighbours, and problems with the physical condition of housing. Many participants expressed fear that they would lose their housing if they expressed their rights as tenants or made complaints about the issues they faced. Complaints that were brought forward were seen as being ignored. In order to understand the frustration and fear participants experienced, I explore the idea of social assistance as "charity", which has its beginnings in the English Poor Laws, and what effect this has on the recipients. Social assistance as charity, including public housing, is given as a sort of "gift". I argue that in this framework, a gift should be accepted willingly and not questioned. This acts to silence complaints and plays off of common notions about who are the deserving poor and undeserving poor. / Graduate / 0326 / medavies@uvic.ca

Cette thèse analyse les principaux mécanismes du marché du logement en s’intéressant au rôle des contraintes foncières naturelles et réglementaires et à l’impact des politiques publiques. Le premier chapitre met en perspective le rôle de la terre au cours des derniers siècles en montrant que si l’importance de la terre a progressivement reculé jusqu’au milieu du XXe siècle, elle a été remplacée par l’importance croissante du foncier résidentiel. Le second chapitre tente d’estimer l’un des paramètres clé du marché du logement : l’élasticité prix. Il montre que ce concept recouvre deux notions différentes, l’une décrit la réaction des promoteurs suite à une augmentation des prix alors que la seconde décrit la croissance des prix de l’immobilier accompagnant le développement urbain. Il montre que les marchés de l’immobilier des aires urbaines françaises sont inélastiques. Le troisième chapitre analyse l’impact du dispositif Scellier sur les marchés locaux et montre que son impact quantitatif a été limité. Enfin le quatrième chapitre étudie l’effet d’éviction du logement privé par le logement social. / This dissertation analyzes the mechanisms of the French housing market documenting its constraints and the impact of several housing policies. It aims to increase our understanding of the mechanisms at work on this very particular market where land has a key role. The first chapter tries to document the place of land through the past decades. Some economists have been documenting a steady decline of its importance during the XIX and XX centuries. However, such decline was progressively balanced by the sharp appreciation of housing wealth and more particularly its land component. The second chapter tries to understand the origin of this rise in residential land value documenting one of the key parameter of the housing market: the supply elasticity of the French urban areas. This chapter starts defining two different concepts related with the supply elasticity. The first one is the intensive margin supply elasticity and designates the reaction of developers following a short run increase in housing prices. The second one describes how real estate price vary when a city is growing. It shows that French urban areas are less elastic than their US counterparts. The third chapter uses a natural experiment, the Scellier Housing Tax Credit (STC) and shows that it had a limited quantitative impact on the housing production. The fourth chapter documents the crowding out effect of private construction by social housing.