From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, B.C. residents have been encouraged to stay as active as possible while remaining physically distant. What can we learn from others around the province at this uncertain time? And how do we ensure considerations around equity are upheld as we adapt?

With the launch of PlanH's new Active Communities Tool, BC Healthy Communities hosted a webinar "Connecting for active communities during COVID-19 and beyond". 

On March 10, 2020, we hosted a Facebook Live Chat to discuss our current PlanH Grant streams, answer some of our most frequently asked questions, and take questions live from our audience.

Provincial legislation requires all local governments to complete housing needs reports for their communities by April 2022 and every five years thereafter. This presentation outlines the government regulations, the UBCM funding program, and some of the ways Local Governments, Health Authorities, and community partners can integrate health and equity into housing processes in their communities.

Though the Local Government Act mandates public hearing processes and other ‘appropriate consultation’ when developing or adopting certain strategies, plans and bylaws, there is a growing expectation among community members that they will be invited to provide more meaningful input into the decisions that affect them—and an expectation that the input they provide will meaningfully impact the final decision.

Housing Needs Reports are now mandatory for all local governments in British Columbia. These reports include recommendations for future housing development, meaning they have the potential to impact health and well-being. Using our newly-released Healthy Housing Action Guide as a starting point, this pre-recorded webinar outlines new government regulations, the UBCM funding program, and some of the ways local governments, health authorities and community partners can integrate health and equity into housing processes in their communities.

How can residents living in high-rise buildings better connect with one another? Through a PlanH grant, the City of Vancouver has been working to help residents living in higher-density buildings feel more connected to one another. In fall 2017, they took a diverse group of stakeholders from the housing, public health, municipal, private and non-profit sectors on a Hey Neighbour! field trip to tour friendly buildings in Vancouver.

Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. is a science journalist, author and the associate director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. In this video Seppälä discusses the findings of her areas of expertise in the science of happiness, social connection, and compassion. 

Rishi Manchanda has worked as a doctor in South Central Los Angeles for a decade, where he’s come to realize: His job isn’t just about treating a patient’s symptoms, but about getting to the root cause of what is making them ill—the “upstream" factors that can influence personal health such as accessible food and air quality. 

This PlanH short video showcases the powerful work being done on the City of  Vancouver's ‘A Healthy City For All’ strategy - an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to collaboration towards a healthier city. The initiative includes 13 goals, with associated targets and indicators to track progress and outcomes over ten years. With goals including affordable housing for all, being and feeling safe and included, and being free to express ourselves, the strategy should make a dramatic difference in Vancouver residents' health and wellbeing in every area of their lives.

This PlanH short video showcases the amazing work being done in Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Hope to ensure that all children have a chance to form healthy habits early in life. These three communities are using a community-based participatory approach and common consistent messaging for kids to make the healthy choice the easier choice around healthy eating and physical activity.