Poverty Issues in Our Community

Our Community Impact Profile showed that:

• We have a population of 79,260 (2001). 25.8% of our population is 17 years old or younger. The percentage of children and youth aged 0-14 is higher than Langley, and Coquitlam and the BC average, and almost twice as high as that of Vancouver.

• We have a high number of single parent families - 12.2% in Maple Ridge, 13.5 in Pitt Meadows and 25% in Katzie. Lone parents are more likely to be living in poverty. The many demands on lone parents render parenting more difficult.

• 10.8% of families in Maple Ridge and 10% of families in Pitt Meadows lived below the low income cutoff in September 2000. The numbers are likely higher now, because of a struggling economy and government cutbacks. Low income families live under constant stress, have lower quality of life and are generally less healthy.

• 2,100 children in Maple Ridge and and 455 children in Pitt Meadows are living in poverty (1996). Child poverty has a negative impact on child development and leads to challenges and disorders.

• In September of 2000 4.1% of residents in Maple Ridge and 2.9% of residents in Pitt Meadows were living on social assistance.

• There are 8,484 seniors in Maple Ridge (2001) - 10.7% of our population. 16.8% of these are dependant. 2.3% receive BC Benefits. Between August 2001 and July 2002, an average of 100 seniors accessed Food bank services every month.

We also know that:

• The number of homeless people in our Maple Ridge is growing. In January, 2002, there were 25 sheltered homeless people, and 37 street people, for a total of 62 (none in Pitt Meadows). There is a rise in the number of households at risk for homelessness, from 1,100 in 1991 to 1,655 in 1996.

• Social assistance, child care subsidies, support payments for single parents, assistance for people with disabilites have been reduced in the current round of provincial government cutbacks.

• Use of the local Foodbank is increasing - An average of 1055 people received help monthly from the Foodbank between Aug. 2001 and July 2002. Children experiencing hunger are less able to succeed in school, may develop more slowly and have reduced resistance to disease. Adults may experience chronic health problems.

Are there poverty issues in your neighbourhood? What other issues are there? — Join together with your neighbours to contribute your ideas, hear those of others and create strategies to improve your neighbourhood and community.

To learn more about Building Community Solutions activities or to get involved, contact the Building Community Solutions Coordinator at 604 467 7433 or by email.