Low Income

Financial vulnerability affects a wide and growing segment of our communities and affects people’s chances of recovering from an unexpected expense or adverse event such as a loss of income, housing emergency or sick pet needing urgent care.

This continuous daily struggle to make ends meet is a source of tremendous stress and anxiety, often making it difficult for people to focus on anything else and leaving them in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

Last year, because of United Way:

Living Wage Report and Advocacy

• Advocacy United Way & the Social Research and Planning Council advocate for a Living Wage
• The current living wage in Perth-Huron is set at $23.05/hr*
• Participate in Poverty to Prosperity Committee in Huron County
• Funding for the Ontario Living Wage Network to support living wage efforts locally

*Based on a 35-hour work week, taking into account the living expenses of a weighted average of family types including a family of four, single mother supporting a seven-year-old child and a single adult, once government transfers and deductions are factored in. Everyday expenses in the calculation include housing, food, utilities, childcare and transportation

Lack of Housing

Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets. People may also be in a temporary shelter, incarcerated without a place to go to after or couch surfing. Homelessness can affect every aspect of life including family well-being, employment and physical and mental health.

People experiencing homelessness have shorter life expectancies, are more likely to be victims of violence and go hungry at least once a week. The odds can often feel stacked against those dealing with homelessness because of a mix of complex, interrelated issues like mental illness, addiction and abuse. Homelessness also disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, for example those with physical disabilities, chronic health issues and mental health challenges.

75 youth accessed safe shelter and were given a fresh start in Perth-Huron

 1,350 crisis calls to the Huron Women’s Shelter

 618 unique visitors, facing homelessness or precarious housing, to Connection Centres

How we help:

• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 — referrals to community organizations to help navigate complex social systems
• United Way Perth-Huron’s United Housing aims to address affordable rental supply and access to services by building housing and community hubs
• UWPH participates in housing and homelessness committees across Perth and Huron
• In Huron County, the focus is on ending chronic homelessness through programs including Huron Turning Point transition home for men, immediate shelter in cold months and increased support for women and youth
• United Way initiated and continues to fund three Connection Centre; Stratford, Wingham, Exeter

Mental Health

Good mental health helps us enjoy our life and the people in it. Individuals struggling with mental health issues can experience fear, rejection and stigma, severely impacting their quality of life. Many have even been denied adequate housing, loans, health insurance and jobs.

Social isolation, poverty and a shortage of accessible services make it difficult for people to find the supports they need. For kids, positive emotional development is crucial to laying a good foundation for mental health and emotional stability as an adult.

Together, we’re creating more inclusive communities and ensuring those impacted by mental health issues can easily access the supports they need before issues become deep-rooted.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward

How United Way helped:

• 1,433 people received counselling to increase their mental health and well-being through Family Services Perth-Huron
• 94 men received counselling, advocacy and re-integration planning through the John Howard Society.
• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365
• 46 Youth access Early Intervention Counselling funded by United Way throughout Perth County

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence disrupts our communities and creates long-term repercussions for victims and their families. It negatively impacts people’s physical and mental well-being and can even push families toward poverty.

When young children are exposed to the trauma of domestic violence, it affects their brain development and negatively impacts their ability to learn. They are also much more likely to become abusers themselves or believe that threats and violence are a normal part of relationships. This can affect the rest of their lives and create a cycle of violence and poverty.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward
United Way helped:

• 46 children counselled who have witnessed and experienced domestic violence in 2021
• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 for referrals and escape plans
• 53 women and children given emergency shelter in Huron

Food Security

Household food insecurity—the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints—is a serious public health problem. It negatively impacts physical, mental and social health and costs our health-care system considerably. By the time someone reports they are struggling to put food on the table, they are also struggling to afford other basic needs.

Household food insecurity is closely linked to income. As a household’s income declines, the risk of food insecurity increases. In 2021, the average Canadian family paid up to an extra $966 for food. For a family of four, that means a $14,767 grocery bill. The daily struggle to make ends meet is a source of tremendous stress and anxiety — making it difficult for people to focus on anything else and leaving them in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward.
United Way helped:

• 1,467 visits in St. Marys to the NOURISH Equal Access Food Market last year
• ~5,000 people benefited from food supplied by the Huron Distribution Centre in Huron and Perth to 44 food banks
• 2-1-1 24/7/365 information about food access
• UWPH Participates in the Perth County Food Security Coalition and Poverty to Prosperity in Huron
• 152 participants learned food skills at the Local Community Food Centre

Access to Services

Social isolation has serious physical, mental and emotional consequences. People who are socially isolated are at a higher risk of developing health problems, slipping into poverty, facing mental health challenges and having their quality of life reduced. This has dire consequences for individuals and society.

Statistics show that seniors, immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities are more likely to become socially isolated.

Social isolation can have devastating effects on people, families and communities. One in 3 Canadians report not having a strong, or very strong, sense of belonging to their local community. Isolation and loneliness in many communities has reached epidemic proportions, leading to serious consequences including deterioration in mental and physical health. For newcomers, seniors and people living with disabilities, the effects of social isolation can be amplified even further.

Social inclusion helps people feel accepted in their community and able to contribute to society. People with strong social connections are healthier and live longer than those who feel isolated.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward.
United Way helped:

• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 — connecting people to clubs, sports, groups, committees, activities and support systems
• Coordinating the implementation of Access Centres, where there are multiple services in one location in rural towns. First one opened in 2025 in Exeter
• Supports three Community Outreach Workers. St.Marys, North Perth and Huron County
• Supporting Poverty to Prosperity to bring community development approach to rural towns in Huron County
• Integral in bringing settlement services to Perth County

Discrimination

Discrimination is a challenge our region faces. For our region to continue growing and be welcoming to all, it is important to tackle the challenges some in our communities face. Those encountering discrimination include Indigenous people, racialized groups, those who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, have a disability, or are immigrants to Perth-Huron.

Inclusion matters. When we reflect diversity in our communities, we’re more likely to have a more engaged population, and a community where more people have the chance for a brighter future.

There’s an issue:

69% of immigrants and visible minorities and 80% of Indigenous people in Perth-Huron reported experiencing discrimination, compared to 50% of white, non-immigrants.

Source: Huron County Immigration Partnership, Nov. 2021.

But there’s a way forward.

How we help:

• 163 newcomers supported through Finding Your Way program at YMCA of Three Rivers.
• Helped fund the opening of the Stratford Pride Community Centre as well as facilitated discussions leading to the amalgamation of the Centre and Stratford Perth Pride.
• Upcoming: Recommendations on improving inclusivity/equity in our local community (from research report).
• Funding for Indigenous-led seminars and events via Patsy Day