On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (PRP) on October 17, the Regional Municipality of Durham announced the creation of a Poverty Response Program.
“The number of people experiencing poverty in Durham Region is increasing. The PRP aims to better understand poverty in Durham Region and create actionable solutions,” said a region statement.
According to a region report dated May 28, staff hosted interactions on homelessness in Durham with 3,389 individuals attending and 137 encampments reached. As of April this year, there were 604 homeless persons in Durham (see below).
The region said the PRP will outline actions to support poverty reduction. It is being developed by Durham Region Social Services and the Health Department, in collaboration with Davis Pier Consulting, said a statement.
The program will be informed by and developed with the community, service providers, community partners and individuals with lived experience, it added.
There will be engagement opportunities to help inform the PRP and these will be shared publicly when available, the region promised.
Durham’s homelessness support system update and next steps shows the most recent trends in service use and highlights the needs of single, low income people below the age of 65. This group faces the largest challenges in finding and keeping rental housing.
For more information, visit durham.ca/LivingWithLowIncome.
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