Poverty

Supporting urgent needs and promoting independence and long-term financial stability

In a community where everyone matters, we all look after one another. When individuals and families are facing tough times, we extend our hands to help with immediate needs and connect them to programs and services proven to lead to long-term independence.

Why focus on poverty?

• 17% of families in London live below the Low Income Cut Off.  46% of single parents and 51% of immigrants live below the Low Income Cut Off
• One in five children in London lives in poverty
• Average number of homeless people in London – 1,500; available shelter beds – 360

An example of how we respond to the issue

In the past year, more than 4,000 households accessed one of four United Way funded neighbourhood resource centres in London, where they were able to access emergency supports like baby food and diaper banks, meal programs and employment supports.

Impact of your gift

• Your $85 provides an individual living in poverty with a full year of one weekly meal in a safe setting with access to mental health counselling, support workers and a public health nurse
• Your $100 enables a senior living below the poverty line to receive subsidized meals for one month
• Your $500 meets the urgent needs for 50 at risk or homeless youth

Local resources on poverty

The purpose of this section is to be a resource for important local reports that will strengthen understanding some of the different factors affecting poverty in London and Middlesex, and to spread information that will assist others in their efforts to develop innovative strategies that help our fellow human beings leave poverty.

London Community Housing Strategy (LCHS) FINAL REPORT, June 2010

The intention of the LCHS is to establish an integrated and strategic approach to enhance London’s capacity to ensure all Londoners have a home.  This June 2010 Report includes establishing targets and service recommendations related to emergency style housing, institutional accommodations, transitional and supported living options, public and private rental market housing and home ownership.

Local housing facts:

• Higher vacancy rates have not resulted in increased affordability
• Average market rent is out of reach for people earning minimum wage or persons on social assistance
• 45% of tenant households spend 30% or more or their gross monthly income on rent; 20% of these same households spend 50% or more of their gross monthly income on rent
• Home owners earn 2.5 times as much as tenant households
• Home ownership is increasingly out of reach for people with moderate incomes

Middlesex- London Health Unit –Nutritious Food Basket Report, May 2010

The Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) survey is conducted annually in May as per the protocol developed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  This 2010 survey provides a measure of the affordability and accessibility of basic healthy foods by measuring the income of individuals and families in London and Middlesex County vs. their basic expenses, including the cost of the food basket.

Report’s conclusions: Social assistance amounts for basic needs and shelter allowance are inadequate to meet basic needs items for individuals and families.  Lower incomes and food insecurity are social determinants of health and therefore, strongly associated with chronic diseases.  Continued awareness and advocacy are needed to protect and improve the health of Middlesex-London residents as well as all Ontarians living in poverty.  

There are also other important links to community food programs on MLHU website.