Pathways to Happiness are ways a city can increase a sense of optimism for people, particularly working age people, the poor and lower-middle class. It is a part of a series of tools for cities seeking to increase the happiness and wellbeing of its people. see all of the tools at http://www.happycounts.org/happiness-policies.html

1. Pathways to Happiness
aka eudaimonia or “the good life”
for psychological well-being

2. Pathways to Happiness are ways
in other words, living to your full potential
to live the good life

3. Our
highest
score
are in
the area
of
Mental
Well-
being
100= happiest

4. Let’s look at one aspect of mental well-being:
a sense of optimism

5. Overall, our
sense of
optimist is
strong and
has stayed
strong.
a score between 40- 60 means we feel indifferently, between 60-80 means we feel optimist, and over 80 means we strongly agree.

6. Courageous Policies

7. Job security programs
Denmark’s job security program ensure all who want to work, can by:
Unemployed have 2 years unemployment benefits and actively participate in
finding a new job, with job training where optimal and guidance in finding a
new job.
If still unemployed after 2 year, a job offer is found by the government or
contractors hired to place people, if refused, unemployment benefits end.

8. Resources for Job Security
Article: Denmark: New Reform Targets Unemployment
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/articles/labour-market-social-policies/denmark-new-reform-
targets-unemployment
Example Policy: Danish Employment Policy
https://www.oecd.org/employment/leed/40575308.pdf

9. Housing security
Provide homes for the homeless.
Protect housing for lower and middle income through rent stability
programs.
Increases housing security for low income and people going through
difficult financial times.

10. Resources for Housing Security
Article:
Room for Improvement by Jim McAuley in Mother Jones
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/housing-first-solution-to-homelessness-utah
Utah is winning the war on chronic homelessness with ‘Housing first’ program
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-utah-housing-first-20150524-story.html
Rent Control ordinance:
City of Richmond Rent Control Ordinance No. 21-15 N.S.
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6688
City of New Brunswick 2015 Rent Control in Plain Language Summary
http://thecityofnewbrunswick.org/planninganddevelopment/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2015/01/2015-Rent-Control-PLAIN-
LANGUAGE-Summary.pdf

11. Food Security Programs
Ensure all people, residents and visitors, have adequate access
to nutrition.
Protect and promote food system resilience by increasing local
food production and food.

12. Resources for Food Security Programs
Example program:
City of Vancouver BC food and sustainable food systems
http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/food.aspx
City of Ottawa Community Programming for Food Security, Food Education and Awareness
http://ofpc-cpao.ca/ottawa-food-action-plan/community-programming-for-food-security-food-education-and-awareness/
Study:
Urban food security policy: The Case of Belo Horizone, Brazil
http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/foodsecurity/publications/articles/BeloHorizonte.pdf

13. What’s it
going to
take?

14. Reduce our tolerance for
suffering
Talk about the issue of homelessness without judgment or
condemnation of any body or entity.
Instead of ignoring homelessness, allow the full panoply of
feelings to emerge.
See the issue as a shared one, and bring the issue to the front for
policy makers.

15. Understand our common needs
Awareness of class systems without blame or
participation.
Regarding all people as deserving to have equitable
access to meeting needs.

16. Human
Needs

17. Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool series
Campaign finance reform
Guaranteed basic income
Media reform
Massive public transportation
Local food reliance
Village living (cities and rural)
Multi-use zoning
Public spaces
Political festivals
Participatory governance
Participatory budgeting
Anti-corruption policies
Transparency in government
Compassion training for police
Community-based monitoring
Sousveillance
Vote holiday
Vacation laws
Family & Sick leave laws
Flex time and job share laws
Telecommuting policies
Babies at work policies
Intergenerational care
Department of Neighborhoods
Volunteer programs
Conservation Easements
Expansion of Parks
Adult & Kid Park Programs
Parent Support Program
Self-Discovery Programs
Job Placement Programs
Urban Growth Boundary Ordinances
Urban Stream Daylighting
Green and Living building ordinances
Solar and Green Energy Development
Same Sex Marriage Laws
Public child care
Age-friendly cities
Loneliness awareness campaign
Heritage Programs
Rural Colleges
Arts & Culture Policy
Lifelong Learning Programs
War on Adult illiteracy
Low Cost & Tuition Free College
Mindfulness practice in schools
Social justice awareness raising
Mental health –priority counseling

18. We envision a world where all beings can thrive.
Can you envision it too?
happycounts.org