POVERTY REDUCTION & SOCIAL INCLUSION

In general, the southern West Island population is considered as advantaged from a socioeconomic point of view. But at the same time, hidden poverty still exists in pockets across the region. Social problems are extremely complex and poverty and social exclusion are at the heart of many unmet needs.

It is important to consider that despite average to high revenue, each municipality of the region is home to people with low income. They represent 9% of the population; that is, 8,925 people. Those living in poverty have needs that are not recognized largely due to the area’s relative wealth. Limited resources for vulnerable populations, as well as limited access to healthy food, lack of affordable housing, unavailability of social housing and an inefficient public transit system in the area, compound these problems.

During public consultations with the citizens, one of the priorities identified for the southern West Island was poverty and social exclusion. A working committee has been formed and its role is to elaborate and implement an action plan that will help to fight poverty and social exclusion in the region.

For more information or to participate in the committee, thank you for contacting us at (514)505-0840 ext. 6 or at rstoleru@tqsoi.org

References

• Centraide Territorial Analysis The West Island 2015-16
• Portrait of the Population of the Southern West Island, 2015
• Portrait of the needs of certain vulnerable populations of the South of the West-Island of Montreal, 2015
• Guide for cities reducing poverty, 2016
• Municipal recommendations for a Canadian poverty reduction strategy, 2017
• Tackling poverty together
• “Regard la défavorisation à Montréal Série 2”, Agence de la Sante et des Services Sociaux de Montreal, 2011.