A population-based study of premature mortality in relation to neighbourhood density of alcohol sales and cheque cashing outlets in Toronto, Canada

Alcohol overuse and poverty, each associated with premature death, often exist within disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Cheque cashing places (CCPs) may be opportunistically placed in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, where customers abound. This study explores whether neighbourhood density of CCPs and alcohol outlets are each related to premature mortality among adults.

The Economic Impact of Payday Lending in Economically Vulnerable Communities

This recent report from the Howard University Center on Race and Wealth uses 2012 Census data to identify the real and potential victims of payday lending, and pinpoints their geographic locations within the following target states__Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. "Based on the locations of these lenders, it is clear that they target minority and low-to middle income groups, and densely populated areas."

A Conflict of Interest: How Canada's Largest Banks Support Predatory Lending

In this report we examine the involvement of Canada’s two largest banks in financing the “predatory economy” that they helped create and in profiting from the emergence of payday lenders, pawnbrokers, rent-to-own stores, and cheque cashers. These businesses harm our communities and strip billions of dollars from the neighborhoods and working families who are the most in need.

ACORN Canada – Souder la fracture numérique

L’Internet a transformé notre monde, mais 42 % des gens qui gagnent moins de 30 000 $ n’ont pas de service d’Internet haute vitesse à la maison. Lorsqu’on compare au quartile des revenus les plus élevés de 2 % qui n’ont pas l’Internet haute vitesse à la maison, le besoin d’un changement devient désolant! Cette « fracture numérique » exclut manifestement les individus et familles à faibles revenus de ce que les Nations unies estiment maintenant comme étant un droit de la personne, comparable à la liberté d’expression. Voilà pourquoi les membres d’ACORN, partout au Canada, luttent pour assurer que l’Internet haute vitesse soit abordable pour les familles à faibles revenus!

ACORN Canada - Closing the Digital Divide

Internet has transformed our world; yet 42% of people who make below $30,000 don’t have high speed home internet. When this is compared to the 2% in the highest income quartile who don’t have high speed internet at home the need for change becomes stark! This “digital divide" clearly excludes low-income individuals and families from what the United Nations now considers to be a human right, comparable with freedom of speech. This is why ACORN members from across Canada are fighting to ensure home high speed internet is affordable to low income families!

The Banks Have Failed Us: Postal Banking to the Rescue

A study of banks and payday lending companies in the United States and Canada shows a real need for a postal bank exists, especially in areas where post offices abound but few banks offer their services. The paper, presented at the 22nd Rutgers University Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics, argues that restoring postal banking in the 21st century would help support post offices while offering much-needed financial services and jobs.

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Housing Policy Impact Final Report

In 2013 AIC approached the Public Health Association of BC to assist it in a project aimed at increasing the knowledge of the social determinants of health related to substandard housing in an effort to have an impact on housing policy in BC.
The project has three goals:
1. Explore how substandard conditions in low moderate income rental buildings affect the health and well being of communities.
2. Create and sustain dialogue that fosters systemic change in the relationship between renters and policy makers by breaking down the barriers between the two.
3. Use research as a policy impact tool on housing policy in order to improve housing conditions and consequently improve the health and well being in communities.

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