When we think of the Halton area, poverty isn’t usually one of the first images that comes to mind. We often think of the beautiful natural landscape, the high standard of living that many enjoy or the numerous recreational opportunities at hand.
But underneath this veneer of affluence, there is a very different Halton, a community in distress.
This is the Halton where more than 28,000 residents live below the Statistics Canada Low Income Cut Off (LICO after tax), which is commonly used to measure Poverty in Canada. This is equivalent to 8.5 percent of Halton’s population and includes 1 out of every 10 children.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. According to Halton Region’s annual Nutritious Food Basket report, more than 19,000 Halton residents are considered to be ‘food insecure’. This means they lack the resources to obtain a healthy diet for themselves or their family.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) thinks that once you pay 30% of your income on rent you cannot afford the other necessities of life e.g., food, clothing, etc… In Halton, more than 43% of renters are paying more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
Subsidized housing exists but there are more than 1,900 applications on the waiting list, meaning that it is not usually an option for people who are in immediate housing need. This means that many are forced to leave the Halton community to find more affordable rent.
Yes. Recent immigrants, visible minorities, aboriginal persons, people with disabilities, women and female lone parents are among those who suffer the most disproportionate rates of poverty in Halton.
A single person receives $590/month. This is intended to cover food, shelter and personal needs. Because Social Assistance is the responsibility of the Provincial Government, social assistance rates are the same across the province.
Halton is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada and home to four distinct municipalities:
- City of Burlington (population of 125,435*)
- Town of Halton Hills (population of 62,951*)
- Town of Milton (population of 132,979*)
- Town of Oakville (population of 213,759*)
* according to the 2021 Census of Population