Our Work

The Black Experiences with Planning in Canada (BEPIC) partnership seeks to learn from the lived experiences of Black communities and planners in order to explore how planning can play a role in creating more equitable outcomes for Black communities, but also for diverse publics more broadly.

BEPIC is conceptualized by BPP with community and academic partners in the fields of planning, community building, and Black studies, all of whom are committed to racial and spatial justice.

Building on the work already led by Black individuals, community organizations, planners, and other practitioners, BEPIC aims to help strengthen the capacity to remove barriers and advance equitable planning practices when working with Black populations.

For Black community-based organizations, the development process in delivering affordable housing is complex and remains a substantial challenge for many Black-led community-based organizations and nonprofits. After years of advocacy for improved resource allocation and access to land, Black nonprofits are at the cusp of acquiring land and are actively engaging with municipalities and communities to develop affordable housing solutions to meet the housing needs of Black communities. To support these organizations in the early stages of pre-development, Black Planning Project (BPP) will provide Black-led nonprofits and community-based organizations with in-depth case studies that offer actionable insights into the planning, design, policies, and processes that have been effective in delivering supportive and affordable housing for Black communities.

This research project aims to empower Black-led organizations’ approach to their projects more effectively, assess their readiness, and build the capacity needed to implement successful housing solutions for Black communities. Additionally, it will facilitate knowledge-sharing across different organizations, enabling a collaborative ecosystem for equitable Black affordable housing development.

A key aspect of the case study research is to evaluate what constitutes successful housing projects for Black communities. By focusing on affordability, sustainability, and the success of fostering communities of care, we assess how these housing projects have positively impacted Black individuals, families, and the communities created. The research will highlight effective strategies for creating supportive environments that promote long-term stability and well-being, which will be embedded into a Black-informed, Black-led and Black-centred toolkit for affordable housing development.

Homeownership has traditionally served as a primary avenue for wealth accumulation among Canadian households. However, many Black Canadians still face barriers to homeownership, particularly in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). With homeownership rates among Black households within the Toronto CMA remaining the lowest at 38.9%, compared to 62.3% for racialized groups and 67.9% for non-racialized groups, a significant economic disparity persists. This gap impedes the intergenerational transfer of wealth for Black households, exacerbating existing economic inequalities.

This study promotes improved access to homeownership for Black Canadians as part of a broader effort to confront systemic anti-Black racism in societal and institutional frameworks. Achieving this goal requires comprehensive governmental policies and investments, as well as reforms within the real estate sector, to address and raise awareness of the obstacles confronting potential Black homeowners. Additionally, community-level investments are crucial to empower Black and other racialized groups to participate in wealth accumulation through the housing market, fostering intergenerational prosperity and socioeconomic equity.