Cost of housing, food is a quality of life concern among Chilliwack’s low-income households: study

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CHILLIWACK – A lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, and employment are core issues making life difficult for low-income residents across Chilliwack.

That’s what local politicians are seeing in a 73-page Poverty Reduction Plan set to come before city council on Tuesday, which suggests more collaboration between governments and community organizations as the solution.

The Urban Matters study, part of a larger two-year healthier community plan launched in 2022, reflects months of engagement with the community through surveys and public meetings.

It identifies housing, food security, improved transportation, education, and mental health and substance use supports as areas needing immediate attention to alleviate the strain on those living below the poverty line and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Key findings include facts on median incomes in Chilliwack revealing that the average household makes $91,000 per year, slightly lower than the provincial median of $96,000.

One-person households earn about $52,000 per year in the city, also lower than the $57,000 provincial average.

The study says about 9,000 individuals are living at or below the ‘poverty line,’ which is a number that falls below 50 per cent of the city’s median income.

Rent is their biggest struggle with many one-individual households putting more than 30 per cent of their income towards it.

Meanwhile, around 400 people lacked consistent housing in Chilliwack, an increase from the 300 counted in 2020.

Those struggling to escape homelessness cited physical, mental, and substance-related health issues, along with financial and family problems, as reasons for living without permanent shelter.

A year-over-year spike in food bank use—about 30 percent across traditional programs between 2022 and 2023—was another finding of the study.

The report recommends increased collaboration between the city and province to improve affordability and access to general services and programs aimed at inclusion and equity.

“Successful implementation will require a commitment from the leadership of multiple organizations and levels of government to work together,” the study says.

The 10-month Urban Matters examination, aimed at understanding poverty and identifying paths to reduce it, began with a community open house last November, supported by an online survey and multiple focus groups.