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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 25, 2013 | 8 Agency door knocking to understand poverty continued from p.6 which surveyed nearly 600 people in Halton and shared the voices and opinions of those barely getting by. Not having enough money was an issue for all respondents. Not receiving enough from social assistance programs is problematic for many people accessing those services. Transportation Edwardh said the inability of residents, who cannot afford a vehicle, to get to jobs, community events and other important functions is a story she hears all too often. The lack of a significant transit connection between the north and south of Halton is also a real problem, said Hildebrandt. "I heard a story from someone in Acton who had a specialist's appointment in Burlington. He had to take the GO from Acton to Georgetown and Toronto and then from Toronto to Burlington and then had to cab it from the GO station to the specialist," said Hildebrandt. "By the time they got to the specialist's office it had closed. That whole round trip cost $80." For low-income families, Burke said, bus tickets become precious things that are not to be expended on just any outing. "They are looking for work, they are trying to get back to school, `What if my daughter needs to go to the doctor?' So, you don't spend those bus tickets on something like going to a comHousing Report, which was presented to regional council earlier this year, another 700 to 1,500 affordable housing units are also needed to address the housing needs of the Halton community. Currently, there are about 3,200 people on a waiting list for affordable housing here. "There hasn't been very good affordable housing stock built in Halton in a decade, I'd say," said Hildebrandt. With low vacancy rates in rental stock and the cost to rent so high, he continued, people are leaving the community. "You'll find a fair number of people that will be living in Hamilton in particular, and making the trek here (for work) even though this may be a place they grew up in and want to have roots here, but have chosen to live elsewhere because they can't afford it," he said. "As soon as they find a job that is closer to where they live and they don't have to make that commute, they're gone." Halton's overall vacancy rate was 1.1 per cent according to the 2011 State of Housing Report, which further stated a vacancy rate of at least three per cent (three for every 100 units) is considered necessary for adequate competition and real housing options for rental accommodations. Food Food banks were created as a temporary solution to address food insecurity and poverty in communities, says Edwardh. However, they've become institutionalized in our communities as the number of people using these resources continues to grow, she continued. For those living in poverty, food is a discretionary expense when they factor in rent and other costs. According to the Halton Region Health Department's results from the Nutritious Food Basket Survey it conducted last year, low-income families don't have enough income to meet all their financial responsibilities and as a result, the food budget may take a hit. Families struggling to make ends meet simply can't afford the $179.82 weekly in groceries it costs to feed healthy foods to a family of four. To that end, a poor diet can result leading to health problems and an increased risk of developing a chronic disease. According to Halton Region's The Price of Eating Well 2012, low-income households are more likely to suffer from medical conditions that include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and food allergies. Managing health problems is difficult since they don't have enough money for a proper diet, and perhaps to pay for medication. Part Four of Poverty: A Special Report explores the solutions and where people can turn to for help. Joey Edwardh munity dinner. That's a thrill," said Burke. "The community dinner would help them with food security and decrease their isolation, but they don't go." Hildebrandt said the Red Cross does provide some volunteer driving services, but noted availability of volunteers can be an issue. Housing Between 300 and 700 assisted housing units are needed to address the housing gap that continues to widen. According to Halton Region's 2011 State of WHAT WILL YOU BUILD? You Donate. Someone Works. Here's how... 1 You Youdonate donate to to Goodwill. Goodwill. 2 3 The revenues The revenues help help fund fund job job training and training and other services other services to prepare to prepare people for job people for job success. success. Goodwill Goodwill sells your your donations in donations in our stores. stores. VOLUNTEER TODAY! 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