1996/97 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

Research Title: Housing, Extended Families, Community and Acculturation: African Immigrants in Calgary

Research Team: Dr. Miriam Grant (University of Calgary) - Principal Investigator

Research Domain(s): Economic; Social

While some attention has been paid to the location and degree of segregation of Blacks in Canadian cities, this ethnic group has seldom been differentiated by origin. Altogether, the literature has remained silent on the experience of African immigrants in Canadian cities: their involvement in the housing process, extended kinship networks, community relations and acculturation into a Canadian city.

This study will focus upon a small number (100) of African immigrants in Calgary and will utilize extensive qualitative and some quantitative methodologies based upon oral interviews, key informant interviews, and questionnaires with the target group and with officials in African community associations. The study will explore critical issues such as: how African immigrants found their housing and the role played by extended family and community in this process; how the type of housing and spatiality have affected relations with extended family; how and why housing circumstances have changed since arrival in the city; the nature and strength of relations within the Calgary African community; and how housing, socio-economic status, kinship networks and relations with African and greater Calgary communities have assisted in the acculturation process.