The Need
Hazelview Properties is a real estate corporation, responsible for managing over 200 multi-family residential properties across Canada. It prides itself on measuring its success on a “human scale” in the clients and investors who are its trusted partners, and the residents and team members who call Hazelview home. Hazelview asked LittPark to help reflect these values in the development and implementation of a new Corporate Social Responsibility program.
Hazelview has always had a strong culture of community investment, with formal and informal social impact programs in place across the organization. However, the programs were fragmented and not strategically aligned to Hazelview’s goals for the future, or its evident commitment to residents, staff and communities. The establishment of a unified approach to CSR was strongly supported by Management who saw the strategic imperative of a cohesive social program.
The Outcome
A corporate reorganization and rebranding was the perfect opportunity to evaluate Hazelview’s social sustainability programs and to establish a company-wide strategic approach that would better support intended groups, while helping drive brand value, enhance investment and support strategic objectives. Through its rebrand and establishment of a formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Hazelview created an authentic brand identity and a more resonant way of participating fully in the communities in which it operated.
The insights from the stakeholder engagement sessions allowed us to design and establish a unified approach for CSR which was strongly supported by residents, communities, team members and investors. The program focused on housing security, including affordability and becoming advocates for housing security across the country; education and employment, including mentorship, scholarship programs, skills training and professional education and community support programs, including dedicated support for immigrants, and enhancing wellbeing through green and common spaces and connecting residents with the resources they need to thrive.