Beginning in 2017, the Housing Research Collaborative (HRC) began working with the Riverview Village Intentional Community Society (RVICS) for the purposes of supporting RVICS’ vision for the Riverview Hospital grounds in Coquitlam, BC, on the traditional territory of Kwikwetlem First Nation. RVICS sought research looking into inclusive communities of care as long-term support systems for marginalized populations, specifically for those with serious mental illness, in a pendulum swing back to institutionalization, but in a reimagined way. There is a strong correlation between people with mental illness, developmental or physical disability and/or homelessness and isolation. It has been found that isolation also further aggravates health conditions. On the other hand, inclusive communities have been found to be highly effective at improving socialization and developing surrogate families, as well as being safer and more financially sustainable for both the community and the state. In this discussion paper we examine examples of these models including Geel in Belgium, San Patrignano in Italy, Delancey in California, and international networks such as Camphill Communities, and L’Arche. Collaboration to-date has included the completion of a research report (spring of 2018), and an initial roundtable conference (summer of 2018) which will be followed up with a forthcoming second roundtable.
Authors: Jessica Todd and Brett Freake