“The way I see it” is a Photovoice project that examines the impact of housing on health as seen through the eyes of people living with HIV and AIDS in Vancouver. The project is led by a team of Community Researchers - people living with HIV and passionate about housing research and advocacy. Since June 2011 the team has been engaging in discussion about how their social and physical environments impact their health, and taking photos to illustrate their experiences. Collectively their narratives convey the importance of stable, safe, affordable housing in safeguarding people's health and well being. The project findings will be used to lobby regional and provincial decision-makers in the health and housing sectors to respond to the issues the team has identified and, importantly, to involve affected communities in generating solutions.
A selection of photos from the project are currently on display at the W2 media cafe, where the team hosted an exhibit launch to draw the interest of community members who may not be familiar with the realities of living with HIV. The exhibit is one of many initiatives the team is undertaking in order to increase lay people's understanding of both vulnerability produced by environments, and the resiliency that individuals and communities develop to buffer themselves.
This community based initiative is facilitated by the BCCfE, the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation and McLaren Housing Society of British Columbia. We are grateful for the support of our community partners.
For further information on this project, please contact the project office:
Phone: 604.806.8781
Fax: 604.806.9044
Email: surita_parashar@sfu.ca
