Resources for the non-profit sector and community development practitioners:

Neighborhood Equity Index

The Neighbourhood Equity Index highlights places that are more vulnerable than others and also points to key problems that are the weak spots in the physical distancing strategy such as: 

• No essential services like a grocery store or pharmacy within walking distance (see WalkScore map)
• A higher percentage of people in inadequate housing (unaffordable, overcrowded or unsuitable)
• A higher percentage of vulnerable people (seniors living along, people with mental health challenges)
• A higher proportion of part-time workers or residents who are working poor – as the crisis has highlighted how many essential workers are in precarious and low paid conditions (personal support workers, homecare workers, grocery store workers, cleaners)
• More calls for first responders (for mental health crises or crime)

To assist community outreach and planning in the Covid19 crisis, the SPCO has prepared neighbourhood level data and maps relevant to key vulnerable populations.

Data and maps related to community planning in the COVID-19 crisis include:

• Food Security
• Seniors living alone
• Seniors with disabilities
• Population in low income
• Youth 15 to 24 in low income

The above information is available at http://www.neighbourhoodequity.ca/covid-19. If you are looking for a specific data set or have a data-related question, please contact our Data Coordinator: stefkap@spcottawa.on.ca

Statistics Canada: Data to Insight a Better Canada

Statistics Canada has a series of articles on various subjects which explore the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic landscape. Covid-19: A data perspective https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/covid19?HPA=1

ESRI Canada

• This GIS Hub is provided by Esri Canada to share information about the coronavirus pandemic. Information sources include the Community Map of Canada, the Living Atlas, Environics Analytics and others. https://resources-covid19canada.hub.arcgis.com/
• Canadian Covid-19 Outbreak Tracker- A map and dashboard of the trends https://resources-covid19canada.hub.arcgis.com/app/eb0ec6ffdb654e71ab3c758726c55b68
• Complement your news reporting by using the resources in this GIS Hub: https://resources-covid19canada.hub.arcgis.com/pages/media

Community development practitioners

• the International Association for Community Development (IACD) https://www.iacdglobal.org/  is a global multi-disciplinary network for those who work in this field. Community development is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline concerned with the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities. IACD is continually updating a list of ideas for communities at https://www.iacdglobal.org/2020/03/18/community-responses-resilience-and-resources/
• IACD’s Community Resources on COMMUNITY RESPONSES, RESILIENCE, AND RESOURCES at https://www.iacdglobal.org/2020/03/18/community-responses-resilience-and-resources/
• The WHO has compiled a set of guidance to help practitioners involved in community engagement. You’ll find guidance on mental health considerations, risk communication, and preventing and addressing social stigmas surrounding the virus. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/risk-communication-and-community-engagement