Exploring housing careers among Ghanaians in Toronto, Canada

Firang, David

doi:10.1080/02673037.2018.1489527

Cited by 12 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Studies have shown that Black Canadians' positionality within Canadian society has made them second-class citizens, as many well-educated Black Canadians remain engaged in low-paying, menial jobs (Firang, 2020b;Mensah, 2014;Tetteh & Puplampo, 2005). In his recent studies on Ghanaians (Blacks and racialized immigrants) in Toronto, Firang (2020bFirang ( , 2019 demonstrates that Blacks immigrants, even when they have attained a higher level of education compared to the general Toronto population, are overrepresented in the processing and manufacturing occupations (Firang, 2020b). The studies further reveal that the occupational profile of Ghanaians reflects structural inequalities (e.g.…”

Section: Labour Market Inequalitiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The systemic racism against Blacks in the Canadian healthcare system is manifested in the residential concentration of Blacks in poor housing conditions and poor neighbourhoods. In Canada's large cities like Toronto and Montreal, research has confirmed that Blacks and other racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to reside in poor housing conditions in crowded neighbourhoods (Firang, 2019;Mensah, 2014;Murdie, 2002Murdie, , 2003Owusu, 1998), which explains why it is more challenging to follow prevention strategies aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. In these residential segregated neighbourhoods, access to health care facilities for Black people is limited.…”

Section: Housingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Do Black Live Matter Amid Covid-19 Pandemic?

2020

IJCDMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim/Purpose: This article aims at exploring how systemic racism predisposes Canadian Blacks to COVID 19 infection, thereby raising the question as to whether Black Live Matters amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: Although many discourses about Blacks' vulnerability abound in the public media and academic literature, their vulnerabilities seem to have been overlooked amid the current COVID-19 global health crisis. Since COVID-19 was detected public health authorities deem older people, children, Indigenous people, and low-income Canadian families and those with weakened immune systems from underlying medical conditions as vulnerable to the pandemic. One group of people conspicuously missing from the vulnerable groups’ list is Black people. Drawing on evidence-based data from secondary sources, the article demonstrates that the gravities of the COVID-19 pandemic are deepening racial inequalities in Canada. The article also illustrates how many Black people and other racialized groups are at increased risk of COVID 19 infections and deaths due to a longstanding health inequality. Methodology: This study relies on evidence-based data drawn from various secondary sources, including academic papers, policy briefs, government reports, credible media sources, press notes and advisories, current newspapers, and online media reportage of the unfolding health crisis about COVID-19 to demonstrate that the gravities of the COVID-19 pandemic are deepening racial inequalities in Canada. Although research that articulates existing studies on Black people and the COVID-19 pandemic is very scanty, this paper is mostly exploratory as it emphasizes synthesizing secondary sources of literature review. Findings: The study finds that many Black people and other racialized groups are at increased risk of COVID 19 infections and deaths due to a longstanding health inequality. Further, the paper demonstrates that, historically, social determinants of health have prevented Black people from equal access to economic, social and healthcare opportunities. And thus, have exposed a longstanding systemic racism in employment, housing, education, and healthcare. Finally, the paper recommends two innovative strategies to achieve social transformation: 1) Black Canadians should shift from vulnerability to recognizing their vitalities/resiliencies and 2) building allyships with other oppressed groups to stop the spread of the two pandemics: anti-black racism and COVID-19. Impact on Society: This paper does not only contribute to our knowledge about the challenges Black people experience during the pandemic, but also enhances our understanding about the innovative strategy to defeat anti-black racism. This strategy implies that the time has come for Black Canadians to move beyond their vulnerabilities to discover their vitality and agency – moving from the discourse of victim hood to resilience, agency, vitality and creativity

show abstract

Section: Labour Market Inequalitiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Housingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Black Live Matter Amid Covid-19 Pandemic?

2020

IJCDMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The lack of access to long-term housing acts as a hindrance towards refugee integration. Indeed, the home and living environment is an essential indicator and the first step towards the integration of newcomers (Murdie, 2002;Francis and Hiebert, 2014;Firang, 2018;Teixeira and Drolet, 2018;Balampanidis, 2020). In addition, spatial characteristics of housing and reception centres (including available meeting spaces, mobility infrastructure, etc.)…”

Section: From An Asylum To a Housing Crisis For Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Starting from reception locations as the first residential environments in the housing trajectory of refugees, both aspects (local implementation of asylum policy and spatial context) are significant for the development or non-development of social networks. In a highly competitive situation on the housing market, social capital, in terms of social networks and the social recourses they comprise, has proven to be crucial for newcomers' ability to access housing in the transition from shelter to housing (Murdie, 2002;Firang, 2018;Adam et al, 2019).…”

Section: Domopolitics and Its Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stuck in the middle

Wyckaert¹,

Leinfelder²,

Decker³

2020

TrAESOP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Given the increasing number of people seeking refuge in Belgium and across Europe more broadly, it is essential that governments assume responsibility for the integration of refugees into society. An essential aspect of this process is the provision of a durable path from shelter to housing. Choosing a place of residence, and the success in obtaining suitable housing conditions, are factors that significantly shape the integration process. In the context of refugee settlement in Belgium, however, asylum and migration policies to date have been predominantly focused on tackling temporary crises with little consideration paid to long-term integration and housing strategies. Due to separated policy competences (reception at the federal policy level, and housing at the regional level), and the absence of a sense of responsibility from both Flemish (regional) and federal government, voluntary organisations have developed significant roles at the local level in the transition from shelter to housing, and in further housing needs of recognised refugees. Achieving this transition is impeded by capacity problems, discrimination, lack of local social networks, and limited timeframes. Using the concept of path dependency as a theoretical starting point, this article employs qualitative methods to highlight the impact of both asylum policies and the spatial characteristics of reception centres on transitions towards more permanent housing. Recommendations for refugee accommodation are made to enhance the transition from shelter to housing. Finally, it addresses alternative housing projects that are conducive to social integration as well as to the transition of refugees to the regular housing market.

show abstract

“…Therefore, most immigrants hope to attain homeownership as early as possible in their housing careers (Murdie and Teixeira, 2003). However, some immigrants struggle to attain homeownership, not only because of discrimination in the housing market in the destination country, but also because of commitments to transnational housing activities in the homeland (Firang, 2011; Smith and Mazzucato, 2009). Transnational housing activities are those housing engagements immigrants maintain with their homeland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the influence of transnationalism on the immigrant integration process: The case of Ghanaians’ transnational housing activities in Toronto, Canada

Firang

2020

International Social Work

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many studies of immigrant housing and integration do so within the borders of a nation-state without reference to transnationalism. Using a mixed-method approach, this study demonstrates that immigrant groups, like Ghanaians in Toronto, with strong ties or attachments to their homeland will invest in housing in the country of origin because investment in housing in the country of origin confers high social status among these immigrants. Investments in housing in the homeland affect immigrants’ settlement and integration process. The study prompts for international social work practices to have a deeper understanding of the nuances of transnational practices when delivering services.

show abstract

Exploring housing careers among Ghanaians in Toronto, Canada

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Do Black Live Matter Amid Covid-19 Pandemic?

Do Black Live Matter Amid Covid-19 Pandemic?

Stuck in the middle

Exploring the influence of transnationalism on the immigrant integration process: The case of Ghanaians’ transnational housing activities in Toronto, Canada

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About