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.

In 2025-2026, because of United Way:

Living Wage Report and Advocacy

• United Way & the Social Research and Planning Council advocate for a Living Wage
• The 2025 living wage in Perth-Huron is set at $24.60/hr*
• 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.

65 youth were helped to access shelter and housing in Perth-Huron.

 1,076 crisis calls from women facing intimate partner violence were answered by Artemis Huron.

 900 unique individuals facing homelessness or precarious housing got help at 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.
• United Way initiated and continues to fund three Connection Centres: in 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 in 2025-2026:

• 1,646 individuals and their family members received counselling to build resilience through Family Services Perth-Huron.
• 156 individuals received counselling, advocacy and re-integration planning post-incarceration through the John Howard Society.
• 2-1-1 counselors received 1,896 contacts for support accessing services, responding 24/7/365.

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
In 2025-2026, United Way helped:

• 42 children who witnessed violence received trauma-informed counselling through Emily Murphy Centre.
• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 for referrals and escape plans.
• 45 women and children accessed emergency shelter through Artemis 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 2024, Huron Perth Public Health reported the cost of groceries for a family of four in Huron Perth was $1,338 per month. A family on Ontario Works would spend almost half their income (46%) on groceries. 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.
In 2025-2026, United Way helped:

• 1,941 visits to the Local Community Food Centre’s NOURISH Equal Access Food Market in St. Marys.
• Approximately 40,000 visits to 47 food access locations supplied by the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre.
• 2-1-1 24/7/365 information about food access.
• 240 participants learned essential kitchen 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.
In 2025-2026, United Way helped:

• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 — connecting people to clubs, sports, groups, committees, activities and support systems
• Operated Access Centres in Exeter and Listowel, where rural residents can access multiple services in one location.
• Funded Community Outreach Workers in St.Marys and North Perth.
• 473 newcomers got support accessing services in Perth County through YMCA Three Rivers.

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:

52.8% of 2SLGBTQ+ survey respondents had experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in Perth-Huron.

Source: SRPC – Discrimination and Community Integration Experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ in Perth-Huron, 2025

But there’s a way forward.

How we helped in 2025-2026:

• 473 newcomers got support accessing services in Perth County through YMCA Three Rivers.
• Stratford-Perth Pride hosted 36 events with approximately 1375 attendees.
• Kaswentha/Two Row Now held Indigenous-led meetings and events reaching over 2000 attendees.