Summary Report - The Working Poor in the Toronto Region

In 2012, the Metcalf Foundation published a Summary Report - The Working Poor in the Toronto Region. Who are they, where they live and how they are changing. The authors are John Stapleton, Brian Murphy and Yue Xing. The full report is available to download from the metcalffoundation.com A quote by David Hulchanski, Professor Factor-Inwentash Faculty for Social Work, and Associate Director, Cities Centre, University of Toronto summarizes the report "The working poor in the Toronto Region pour our coffee, serve us in stores, and work in our offices and factories. Their story is important. They are growing in numbers. It is a problem that is simultaneously political, social, locational, and economic." The authors use the term to refer to people with non-trivial earnings who live in a household with a low income. Their definition has five specific criteria; - has an after-tax income below the median Low Income Measure (LIM), - has earnings of at least $3,000 a year, - is between the ages of 18 and 64, - is not a student, and - lives independently. The report showed that the working poor had increased by 42% between the 2000 and 2005 census in the Toronto Region, compared to a 24% in Ontario as a whole and 15% across Canada. This to me is dramatic in itself that in our municipalities like Toronto, Province and Country the number of working poor is increasing at double digit rates. As the population ages this is unsustainable. The summary report identifies seven key features of the working poor in the Toronto Region: 1. They most commonly work in sales and service occupations 2. They work a comparable number of hours and weeks to the rest of the working-age population 3. They are more likely to be living without an adult partner than the rest of the working-age population 4. Working-age immigrants to Canada are over-represented among the working poor. 5. They are only slightly less educated on average tan the rest of the working-age population. 6. Fewer own their own homes. 7. They tend to be youger as a group than the working-age population as a whole. So what does this have to do with Milton. Well, it indicates the problem is trending in a negative direction. It suggests that the number of people at risk of homelessness is likely to increase. It helps us understand that those at risk of homelessness are not by default the unemployed, unmotivated or other stereotypes. It says they can be hard working members of society who can no longer support themselves. As the report also states "Although work can provide a ladder out of poverty, this is not always the case." The authors hope the summary report will stimulate further research and understanding.

New challenges, opportunities and aspirations

New Year, new challenges, new opportunities, new aspirations In 2012 Milton Transitional Housing did something amazing and began providing housing and support to our first client. So what of 2013? The goal is to lease two additional units in Milton to then provide shelter and support for two more individuals or families at risk of homelessness in our Milton community. This goal will present some new challenges as MTH grows. The team will require more members, volunteers and sponsors. A key fundraising event will be the 3rd annual Empty Bowls, which will be held on Sunday, March 17th 2013. More details will be posted shortly. We welcome your ideas and comments.

Faith United donation

Faith United Milton raised $394 from their Christmas Eve service which they are kindly donating to Milton Transitional Housing. Thank you.

MTH Pot Luck

I was delighted yesterday to meet up with members of the Milton Transitional Housing board and their spouses for a pot luck. Thank you Ruth for hosting us. We are indeed very fortunate. MTH is making good headway. Our first client is settled and doing well with positive steps in the direction of independence. The first annual report was made to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and positively received. We have potential new landlords with whom additional housing units are in discussion. This will help us take the next important step with 3 units and clients served by the end of 2013. The original goal of 7 units by 2016 is becoming achievable. 2013 will become a challenging year as the organisation grows and the need for increased charitable funding is needed. The Hope for Holidays campaign may have generated close to $1,000. Thank you to those who contributed and we hope also felt positive about giving to those in need or at risk of homelessness in our community over the Christmas period. St Paul's United Church in Milton were this project was originally conceived have also been kind again and donated a further $1,000. We have still much to do!