Fostering immigrant settlement and housing in small cities: Voices of settlement practitioners and service providers in British Columbia, Canada

ABSTRACT

International migration is a feature of contemporary society. Because the impacts of international migration and immigration are experienced locally, there is a need to better understand how settlement and integration activities can be tailored to the local context. While many immigrants have settled in metropolitan areas, there is need to better understand how immigrants settle in small cities outside large urban areas. A study was undertaken in Kelowna and Kamloops, two small cities in the interior of British Columbia (BC), Canada, to learn about immigrants’ settlement and housing experiences from the perspective of settlement practitioners and service providers. Unaffordable housing, limited employment opportunities, and language barriers were found to be the most significant challenges. Implications and recommendations for immigrant-receiving countries and small city contexts are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Immigration
• Settlement
• Employment
• Housing
• Language
• Canada
• Community