It's calling on the federal and provincial governments to help struggling households
Some startling statistics of what some Niagara households get by on with social assistance.
The region's Public Health and Social Services Committee heard from Niagara Food Basket that some one person households don't have enough money for food and rent.
Associate Director of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention David Lorenzo is looking to the province and federal government for help. "To send a letter to the provincial and federal governments, advocating for implementation of evidence-based policy solutions to reduce food insecurity, including increasing social assistance rates, increasing minimum wage to a living wage."
The committee voted to back the request.
Councillor Sandra Easton called for better access to employment.
Lori Watson, Director of Social Assistance, said for some it comes down to getting to work. "Individual's lives become, or are, very complex when living in poverty. What we see is on average about 16% of individuals in receipt of social assistance are working, and receiving what we would consider a top up of social assistance."
A survey by Niagara Food Basket found last year one in five Niagara households lack proper nutrition.
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