hamilton - update - final

Community Profiles

Hamilton

November 2009

Prepared by: Sara Mayo, Social Planner – Geographic Information Services

Anne Patterson, Social Planner – Geographic Information Services Don Jaffray, Executive Director

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton for its continued support to the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton and for commissioning this report. In particular, we are grateful for the aid of Monica Quinlan in the preparation of this report. The support of the Trillium Foundation has been invaluable in the development of the SPRC’s Community Mapping Service, which was used for parts of this report. We would also like to acknowledge members of the Canadian Social Data Consortium in Hamilton and the Social Planning Network of Ontario for their support in making in-depth census data available locally. Finally, thanks to all members of the SPRC staff team who have contributed to the development of these profiles.

© The Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton 162 King William Street, Suite 103, Hamilton, ON L8R 3N9

Phone: 905.522.1148 Fax: 905.522.9124 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca

A United Way Agency

All rights reserved including the right to reproduce in whole or in part any form.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION. ................................................................................................................ 1

2.0 POPULATION ..................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Children and Youth ....................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Seniors ......................................................................................................................... 9

2.3 Female Lone Parents ................................................................................................. 12

2.4 Immigrants and Visible Minorities ............................................................................... 14

2.5 Incomes and Poverty .................................................................................................. 18

3.0 LABOUR FORCE .............................................................................................................. 22

3.1 Changing Labour Force Characteristics ..................................................................... 22

4.0 FOOD SECURITY ............................................................................................................. 25

4.1 Food Access Sites in the Community of Hamilton ...................................................... 26

5.0 UNITED WAY AGENCIES ................................................................................................ 33

5.1 Who is served by the United Way in the Community of Hamilton? ............................ 33

5.2 Some examples of United Way funded agencies and programs accessed by

Community of Hamilton residents ..................................................................................... 33

6.0 SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 36

QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................................... 38

Community Profile: HAMILTON 1 Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton – November 2009

1.0 INTRODUCTION These Community Profiles have been developed to aid in understanding the unique social characteristics important to, yet distinct about, each community within the City of Hamilton. This series of reports will look at a number of demographic variables across each community within the city of Hamilton. This edition focuses the Community of Hamilton. The information provided can be used by community members to identify actions that might be taken to respond to changing conditions and to continue to improve city life. On January 1 2001, the six municipalities of the Hamilton-Wentworth Region (Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek) were amalgamated into the new City of Hamilton. The former municipalities continue to hold their unique character, population and geography and are now official Communities within the City of Hamilton. The City of Hamilton now has a population of over 504,000 people, and covers a vast and diverse geographical area – from rural Flamborough to the urban centre of the former municipality of Hamilton. There is also diversity among the people who live in the City of Hamilton. A growing population, increased immigration, growing numbers of seniors and a range of incomes – from rich to very poor characterize some of the differences that exist across the new city. (For clarity, in this report the entire City of Hamilton will always be referred by its full name, or simply as “city”. References to “Hamilton” will indicate the former municipality of Hamilton, now officially the Community of Hamilton within the City of Hamilton. Please see the front cover for the boundaries of all the communities within the City of Hamilton.) The information in this report is presented in five sections. In the first section, the selected characteristics of the Community of Hamilton are reviewed and illustrated with charts and maps. The second section presents information about the changing labour force characteristics in the entire City of Hamilton, including the Community of Hamilton. The fourth section provides information about food security issues in the City of Hamilton, and the fifth provides information about United Way agencies and clients in the Community of Hamilton. The information provided in Section 2.0 of this report is based primarily on the 2006 Census of Canada (Statistics Canada), with additional data from the 1996 and 2001 Censuses used as points of comparison1. The boundaries in the maps are census tract boundaries used by Statistics Canada. Census tracts are small and relatively stable areas that usually have a population of 2,500 to 8,000 people. Map 1 shows the roads and landmarks in Hamilton to help readers interpret maps throughout this document.

1 At the time of publication of parts of this report, Statistics Canada had not yet made available data grouped by former municipalities in the City of Hamilton. Instead, this report summarizes data from the census tracts within the Community of Hamilton (these combined census tracts have the exact same boundaries as Hamilton). However, due to rounding that Statistics Canada applies to data in each census tract, this method creates an error of approximately one half a percentage point for the data that is presented in this report, compared to the more accurate data that Statistics Canada will release at a later date.


Section 3.0 of this report addresses the changing labour force characteristics for the entire City of Hamilton with an emphasis on changes since the economic downturn that began in 2008. Data is from Statistics Canada’s most recent indicators, and the City of Hamilton. The information in Section 4.0 is from the Ontario Association of Food Banks, Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index, and the City of Hamilton’s Food Access Guide. The data presented in Section 5.0 of this report has been provided by the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. The number of clients shown includes information collected from those agencies that track clients by residence in each former municipality. Some agencies due to their unique service characteristics do not collect data by client location; as a result some client data is not included in this report. Over the coming years, the SPRC will continue to work with the United Way and its agencies to develop client and community service databases to ensure the best possible report of service to the community supported by the United Way.

In the coming months, the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton will be publishing a profile of the social landscape for the entire City of Hamilton. This report will include many of the same demographic variables as found in this Community Profile, but for the entire city and with comparisons to other cities. It is our hope that these reports will complement each other.

At the end of this report, we have included an evaluation questionnaire. We encourage readers to complete this survey to help us improve future editions of this report. Respondents will be entered in a prize draw for a $50 gift certificate for Bryan Prince Bookseller in Hamilton, which will be drawn at the SPRC’s Annual General Meeting in June of 2010. Map 1: Reference Map for the Community of Hamilton

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Mohawk College

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Brock University

Sherwood Library

Children's MuseumConcession Library

McMaster University

Sackville Seniors Centre

Locke Library

Copps Coliseum

Legend! Major Landmarks

Major Roads

Escarpment

Major Highways

Community Boundaries

Census Tracts

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2.0 POPULATION

Hamilton is the largest community in the City of Hamilton At 329,770 persons in 2006, Hamilton represents 65% of the city’s total population. Hamilton has experienced a slight decline in population recently The Community of Hamilton had a population of 329,770 people in 2006, an increase of 11,271 persons since 1991 (Chart 1). The average annual growth rate over the last 15 years in Hamilton has been 0.2%, the lowest of all the city’s communities. By comparison, the average annual increase in population for the City of Hamilton (formerly the Hamilton-Wentworth Region) for that same period has been 0.7% per year, and for the province of Ontario the growth has been 1.3% per year since 1991. In recent years, the slow growth in Hamilton’s population has changed into a slow decline – between 2001 and 2006 there was a drop of 1,315 residents in the Community of Hamilton. Chart 1: Population Growth, Communities with the City of Hamilton, 1991-2006

Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, 2008

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Hamilton: 0.2% average growth per year

Stoney Creek: 1.5% average growth per year

Flamborough: 1.9% average growth per yearAncaster: 2.8% average growth per yearDundas: 0.8% average growth per year

Glanbrook: 3.1% average growth per year

*Please note: As stated in the Introduction, allreferences to “Hamilton” indicate the formermunicipality of Hamilton, now officially theCommunity of Hamilton within the new City ofHamilton. The City of Hamilton will always bereferred by its full name or simply “city”.


South Mountain is fastest growing area in Hamilton In Map 2, we can see that there are very different growth rates within the different parts of this Community. Some areas bordering the fast growing Communities of Ancaster and Glanbrook are growing quickly. For example, the largest growth by percentage between 2001 and 2006 has been in the South Mountain area (identified by location A), which increased by 49% (1,324 additional residents). The area bordering Ancaster near San Pedro Drive (location B) has also experienced high growth: a 33% increase due to 1,349 additional residents. These areas are both in the top 10 most rapidly growing areas within the City of Hamilton. The downtown area (location C) has seen small increases in population in most areas. Conversely, the Ainsley-Wood area between Main St West and the escarpment west of the Highway 403 (location D) has lost the greatest number of residents (1,156 fewer residents, which is a 24% drop in population) according to the 2006 census. This area, however, has many university students, and students are supposed to fill out census forms at their permanent home (often their parents), therefore this finding may just be a reflection of the change in the composition of the population of this neighbourhood, (i.e. more students) and not an actual decline in number of residents. Map 2: Population Change in Hamilton, 2001-2006

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LegendIncrease or decrease in the number of peoplein each census tract

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% change in populationin each census tract

25.0% to 85.0%

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Letters indicate locations discussed in the text.

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2.1 Children and Youth

More than 1 in 6 residents of Hamilton are children In 2006, there were 57,170 children aged 0-14 years of age in Hamilton (Chart 2), which represents 17% of Hamilton‘s population. The proportion of children in Hamilton is just below the average for the the City of Hamilton (18%). Chart 2: Children and Youth, Communities within City of Hamilton, 2006


Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Glanbrook Hamilton Stoney Creek0 to 4 years 1,800 1,090 2,225 790 17,700 3,2955 to 9 years 2,155 1,335 2,805 805 18,625 3,69510 to 14 years 2,575 1,640 3,140 1,020 20,845 4,33015 to 19 years 2,745 1,695 2,970 975 22,095 4,43020 to 24 years 2,185 1,445 2,250 770 23,805 3,945Total Children (0 - 14) 6,530 4,065 8,170 2,615 57,170 11,320Total Youth (15 - 24) 4,930 3,140 5,220 1,745 45,900 8,375

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Hamilton’s population of young children is decreasing Between 2001 and 2006, there were 1,770 fewer children aged 0-4 in Hamilton, which represents a 9% decrease (Chart 3). Only Flamborough had a higher percentage decline in this age group. The age group of 5-9 year olds decreased even more substantially (2,875 fewer children, a 13% decrease). This percentage decrease in this age group is is tied with Dundas. The change in the number of children in Hamilton is a factor that caused the overall population decline in Hamilton between 2001 and 2006. The decrease in the number of young children could de due to fewer families with young children moving to Hamilton and a decline in the number of children born to current Hamilton residents, among other factors. Chart 3: Population change by age groups, 2001-2006


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Hamilton family size has been constant since 1996 The average family in Hamilton has 1.2 children living at home in 2006 (unchanged since 1996). This is tied for second place with Stoney Creek. Chart 4: Number of children living at home per family, 1996-2001


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Census tract with greatest number of children is McQuesten, largest proportion of children on south mountain The greatest number of children under 15 years of age is found in McQuesten (1,620 children under 15, which is 23% of the population in the area identified by location E on Map 3). The areas on the South Mountain) also have large number of children, although each individual area doesn’t have more than McQuesten. The South Mountain area south of Rymal road bordering Glanbrook between Upper James and Upper Gage (location F) has the highest percentage of children of all areas in the City of Hamilton (29% of population is under the age of 15 which is 1,140 children). Many areas bordering this one also have high percentage of children. Map 3: Children 0-14 years of age in Hamilton, 2006


LegendNumber of childrenin each census tract

25 - 499

500 - 999

1000 - 1865Children as a % of total populationin each census tract

4.8% to 9.5%

9.6% to 14.3%

14.4% to.18.5%

18.6% to 23.7%

23.8% to 28.5%

No data available

Letters indicate locations discussed in the text.


2.2 Seniors Hamilton has the third highest concentration of seniors in the City of Hamilton In 2006 there were 50,595 persons age 65 and over living in Hamilton (Chart 4) – 21,155 men and 29,440 women. This represents 15% of the population, only surpassed by Dundas and Glanbrook with 18% seniors. Overall, the City of Hamilton is composed of 15% seniors. Chart 5: Older Adults, Communities within City of Hamilton, 2006


Large number of seniors on mountain The mountain area of Hamilton has many individual areas with both high numbers of seniors and a high proportion of seniors (Map 4). In particular, the area just to the northeast of Limeridge Mall (location G) has 38% seniors (955 residents 65 and older) and one area on the west mountain (location H) 35% seniors (590 persons 65 and older). But the area in Hamilton with the largest concentration of seniors is in the lower city in the census tract bordering Stoney Creek between Queenston and King surrounding Eastgate Mall (location I). In that area, 39% of the population is 65 or older (755 seniors) – this is the highest proportion of seniors of all areas in the entire city of Hamilton.


55 to 59 years 2,335 1,760 2,560 1,090 19,795 4,27560 to 64 years 1,665 1,395 2,085 995 14,995 3,13565 to 69 years 1,230 1,050 1,405 840 12,835 2,43570 to 74 years 960 990 1,200 820 11,915 1,97575 to 79 years 955 965 910 590 11,170 1,64580 to 84 years 795 840 590 370 8,660 1,35085 years and over 715 725 385 155 6,015 1,005Total Seniors (65 years and over) 4,655 4,570 4,490 2,775 50,595 8,410

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Map 4: Seniors (65 and over) in Hamilton, 2006

Older senior age groups are growing fastest As can be seen in Chart 3, between 2001 and 2006 the youngest age group of seniors (aged 65-69) decreased in population by 5% (1,430 fewer seniors in that age group). But similarly to all other Communities except Dundas, the older age group (over age 85) is increasing most rapidly on a percentage basis. In Hamilton this age group increased by 980 people, which is a 20% rise. Even though this age group is growing fastest amongst Hamilton’s three senior age group, the growth rate for this age group is slower than all other Communities except Dundas. The increase in the overall number of seniors could be a combination of seniors moving to Hamilton, seniors living longer, or increases in population decades ago now being reflected in the older age groups. Evidence that Hamilton seniors population may grow more quickly The breakdown of Hamilton older adults in Chart 5 shows that the senior population is set to grow more quickly as there are large numbers of persons aged 55-59 and 60-64 living in Hamilton in 2006 (19,795 persons aged 55-59, 14,955 persons aged 60-64 compared to 12,835 seniors aged 65-69). It is important to keep in mind that there are other factors in the growth of a senior population, such as immigration from and to other area of the City (or other cities or countries), and the changing mortality rates of the senior population.

LegendNumber of seniorsin each census tract

10 to 499

500 to 999

1000 to 2165

Seniors as a % of total populationin each census tract

5.0% to 9.9%

10.0% to 14.9%

15.0% to 19.9%

20.0% to 29.9%

30.0% to 40.0%

No data available

Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, 2008 Letters indicate locations discussed in the text.

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The number of seniors living alone is decreasing slightly in Hamilton, but proportion still highest of all Communities Seniors living alone generally have more difficult access to support if they face illness or disability as compared to seniors living with a spouse, with family or in institutional care2. The number of seniors living alone in Hamilton has been almost constant in the 1996-2006 period at just under 15,000 persons (Chart 6). All other Communities except for Dundas are experiencing increases in their population of seniors living alone. Hamilton continues to have the highest proportion of seniors living alone: 29% of the senior population (down from 32% of seniors in 2001). Chart 6: Seniors living alone, Communities within City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

2 Statistics Canada. 2007. A Portrait of Seniors in Canada. Catalogue no. 89‐519.


1996 18% 22% 19% 13% 30% 21%2001 20% 28% 18% 20% 32% 21%2006 17% 21% 17% 19% 29% 21%1996 500 875 615 165 14,845 1,285 2001 670 990 660 390 14,940 1,4502006 800 955 750 540 14,885 1,730

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Percentage of seniors who are living alone each year in each community

Number of seniors who are living alone each year in each community


2.3 Female Lone Parents Hamilton has highest proportion of single moms Female lone parent-led families have traditionally reported a disproportionally high rate of poverty, reflecting the challenge of running a household and raising kids with a single income. The particular challenges that women face in the labour market has also meant that single moms are more likely to live in low income than single dads. In 2006, Hamilton had the highest proportion of families led by female lone parents (18%), and the rate has been steadily increasing since 1996 (Chart 7). While Hamilton has the largest number of female lone parent-led families (16,140 in 2006), the growth in the size of this population, a 17% increase since 1996, is among the lowest in the City of Hamilton Chart 7: Families led by Female Lone Parents, Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

Larger concentrations of female lone parents in lower city Map 5 shows that the lower city in Hamilton has many more neighbourhoods with very high percentages of female lone parent-led families than the mountain area. The census tract with the greatest number of single mothers in the city covers the McQuesten neighbourhood (510 persons in location J).


1996 6% 10% 7% 5% 16% 8%

2001 6% 11% 6% 5% 17% 9%

2006 8% 11% 7% 6% 18% 10%

1996 380 665 665 155 13,745 1,145

2001 470 720 710 190 15,090 1,445

2006 745 795 770 295 16,140 1,875

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Map 5: Female Lone Parents in Hamilton, 2006

LegendNumber of families led byfemale lone parents

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Letters indicate locations discussed in the text.Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, 2008

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2.5 Immigrants and Visible Minorities The proportion of Hamilton’s population that was born outside of Canada is increasing Hamilton’s proportion of immigrants has increased slightly from 26% in 1996 to 28% in 2006 (Chart 8). Hamilton’s proportion of immigrants is the highest in the city, but Stoney Creek is a close second at 27%. Stoney Creek has a slightly higher growth rate in its immigrant population, which means it could possibly overtake Hamilton as the Community with the greatest proportion of immigrants by the next census in 2011. Hamilton will still have the greatest numbers of immigrants, which was 89,765 in 2006 (compared to 16,860 for Stoney Creek). The top three regions of birth of Hamilton’s immigrants are Southern Europe, Northern Europe and Eastern Europe. Chart 8: Immigrants, Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

Hamilton has largest concentration of recent immigrants, but proportion is stagnant Recent immigrants are defined by Statistics Canada as arriving in Canada in the previous five years of any given census year. Recent immigrants can be a population with high needs, as they are less familiar with the community services and supports available, and often face language and labour market barriers. In 2006, the Community of Hamilton had 65% of the city’s population however 82% of the city’s recent immigrants chose to live in this Community. The proportion of recent immigrants in Hamilton’s population has stayed almost constant at 4% between 1996 and 2006, increasing by one tenth of a percentage point in that time (Chart 9). The number of recent immigrants living in Hamilton is also the highest of any of the Communities, standing at 13,625 in 2006. The top three regions of birth of recent immigrants in Hamilton in the 2006 census were West Central Asia and the Middle East, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia.


1996 20% 19% 15% 14% 27% 25%2001 18% 20% 14% 15% 27% 26%2006 21% 18% 14% 17% 28% 27%1996 4,580 4,260 5,185 1,520 84,790 13,636 2001 4,990 4,580 5,425 1,830 88,295 14,7552006 6,770 4,270 5,315 2,560 89,765 16,860

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Chart 9: Recent Immigrants (arriving to Canada in the previous five years), Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

Downtown and Riverdale are poles of attraction for recent immigrants There are two nodes of high concentrations of seniors one in and around Hamilton’s downtown (location K on Map 6) and much further east in the Riverdale West neighbourhood just east of Centennial parkway (location L). Between the two the central Hamilton area from Sherman to Parkdale (location M) has very few recent immigrants. An initial investigation into possible reasons for this shows that this area has a smaller proportion of rental housing, favoured by most newcomers to Canada, than the downtown and Riverdale neighbourhoods. Most of the census tracts on the mountain have concentrations in the midrange for the city.


1996 1.2% 1.6% 0.8% 0.4% 4.1% 2.5%2001 1.2% 1.3% 0.4% 0.1% 4.2% 2.3%2006 2.0% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 4.2% 2.1%1996 290 350 275 45 13,100 1,355 2001 330 295 135 10 13,785 1,300 2006 660 185 330 145 13,635 1,310

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Map 6: Recent Immigrants (arriving in Canada between 2001 and 2006) in Hamilton

Hamilton has largest proportion of visible minorities The proportion of visible minorities in Hamilton’s population increased from 11% in 1996 to 17% in 2006 (Chart 10), with the actual number of visible minorities increasing by more than 50% to 35,720. Hamilton has the highest proportion of visible minorities of any of the other communities but it is still lower than Ontario’s proportion (23%). Black and South Asian are the largest visible minority groups in Hamilton, with each representing almost one quarter of the visible minority population in Hamilton (Chart 11). Chart 10: Visible Minorities, Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006


Chart 11: Visible Minority Groups, Hamilton, 2006


1996 6% 5% 2% 1% 11% 5%

2001 7% 6% 2% 1% 14% 6%

2006 10% 6% 3% 3% 17% 9%

1996 1,320 1,015 510 105 35,720 2,765

2001 1,850 1,330 845 105 44,825 3,655

2006 3,320 1,365 1,205 510 54,895 5,690

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Black24%

South Asian20%

Chinese14%Southeast

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Latin American9%

other23%

Percentage of the population composed of visible minorities

Number of persons identifying themselves as visible minorities



2.5 Incomes and Poverty Hamilton has lowest median income Median income is the point at which half the population earns more and half the population earns less. It is a better measure than average income, as it is not inflated by a few residents earning 10 or 20 times what others in the area earn. The median income in Hamilton (just over 24,000) is the lowest of all the city’s communities (Chart 12). Hamilton’s median income in 2006 was 65% of the median income Ancaster, the wealthiest community in the city. Chart 12: Median Individual Income (aged 15 and over), Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

The following section of this report considers the level of poverty in the City of Hamilton based on the most commonly reported measure – Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). The LICO measure is a relative measure of poverty introduced in Canada in 1968. When researchers or the media refers to “poverty lines” or “incidence of low-income”, they are generally referring to the LICO measure. The LICO considers the average cost of basic necessities (including housing, food, and clothing) for different sized households in different sized communities. The measure then adds an additional 20% to determine the low-income cut-off for the specific group. A Statistics Canada survey of family expenditure in 1992 determined that the average Canadian family spent about 35% of its income on food, clothing and shelter. Statistics Canada concluded that a family that spent significantly more (i.e., 20 percentage points more) of its income on essentials was living in straitened circumstances. As a result, it has adopted 55 per cent of income as the cutoff point: families that spent more than 55% of their income on essentials would have little or no income left to spend on transportation, health, personal care, education, household operation, recreation, insurance and other unexpected expenses.3

3 The Canadian Fact Book on Poverty 1994, by David Ross, E. Richard Shillington and Clarence Lochhead. Canadian Council on Social Development http://www.ccsd.ca/pubs/archive/fb94/fs_povbk.htm


1996 $28,987 $25,056 $25,060 $21,935 $18,203 $22,617

2001 $32,682 $29,562 $30,944 $27,806 $21,025 $26,284

2006 $37,269 $32,828 $33,317 $31,871 $24,043 $30,301

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Table 1 shows the LICO for the City of Hamilton. Please note that the LICO presented here represents before tax household incomes. The data presented were collected during the 2006 census and represent 2005 household incomes.

Table 1: LICO Thresholds for City of Hamilton (Before Tax) – 20054 Family Size Low-Income Cut-Off 1 person $20,778 2 person $25,867 3 person $31,801 4 person $38,610 5 person $43,791 6 person $49,389 7+ person $54,987

Poverty rate has decreased by 5 percentage points since 1996 Hamilton’s low income rate has decreased in the 1996-2006 period going from 28% to 23%. This is a similar trend seen in most other communities within the city. Hamilton remains the community with the highest poverty rate within the city. In 2006, the poverty rate for young children in Hamilton at 34% is double the poverty rate for the general population, and 14 points higher than the rate for seniors (20%).

4 Statistics Canada varies its LICO calculation based on population size and density parameters for five different community sizes which they define and identify. Their definitions of urban and rural communities are different than municipal boundaries. The values in the table above are for an urban area with a population of 500,000 or more. For detailed information, please see this Statistics Canada document: http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/75F0002MIE/75F0002MIE2006004.pdf


Chart 13: Poverty Rates (before tax), Communities within the City of Hamilton, 1996-2006

Chart 14: Poverty Rates (before tax) for selected groups, Communities within the City of Hamilton, 2006

Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Glanbrook Hamilton Stoney Creek1996 5% 11% 7% 7% 28% 13%2001 5% 11% 4% 6% 25% 11%2006 6% 11% 5% 5% 23% 11%1996 1,160 2,500 2,400 785 87,545 6,8002001 1,350 2,545 1,625 725 82,610 6,5152006 2,094 2,718 2,097 762 74,572 6,662

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%1996 2001 2006

Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Glanbrook Hamilton Stoney CreekAll persons living in private households 6% 11% 5% 4% 18% 8%Children 0-6 years of age 5% 9% 8% 3% 34% 15%Seniors (65 and over) 4% 11% 5% 4% 20% 14%All persons living in private households 2,094 2,718 2,097 762 74,572 6,662 Children 0-6 years of age 117 120 207 28 7,129 616 Seniors (65 and over) 173 417 220 105 9,316 1,098

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All persons living in private householdsChildren 0-6 years of ageSeniors (65 and over)


Percentage of the population living on a low income

Number of persons living on a low income


Number of persons in each group living on a low income

Percentage of each group living on a low income


Downtown has high poverty rates The downtown area has large numbers of people living under the poverty line, ranging as high as 58% of the population in southern part of Beasley neighbourhood and 57% of the population in the southern part of Central neighbourhood. Another a node of higher than average poverty on the mountain just north of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway (location P). Map 7: Poverty (Before Tax) in Hamilton, 2006

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Number of personsliving on a low income

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Percentage of personsliving on a low income

0% - 7%

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Letters indicate locations discussed in the text.Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, 2008


3.0 LABOUR FORCE

3.1 Changing Labour Force Characteristics The City of Hamilton has a labour force in flux: the economic downturn has hit the city and local industry particularly hard, and 2009 saw the downsizing and/or closure of a number of manufacturing operations, leading to a drastic increase in the number of unemployed persons, number of Employment Insurance beneficiaries, and number of Ontario Works cases. Increasing unemployment in the City of Hamilton The City of Hamilton has seen a 67% increase in unemployed individuals from 2008 to 2009, and a 110% increase from 2006 to 2009. The number of people employed shrank by 4,900, although the total number of individuals participating in the work force has increased 1.6% from 2008 to 2009. Chart 15: Unadjusted labour force characteristics for the City of Hamilton, 2006, 2008 and 2009

Participating in Workforce Employed Unemployed

2006 326,400 246,400 17,300

2008 338,500 379,600 21,700

2009 344,100 374,700 36,300

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The City of Hamilton has seen an increase in the number of EI beneficiaries The number of people receiving Employment Insurance has risen sharply since 2008. From January 2008 to August 2009, Employment Insurance beneficiaries in the City of Hamilton increased by 4,390 people, or 45%. Chart 16: Employment Insurance Beneficiaries, City of Hamilton, 2006-2009

OW Caseload numbers in the City of Hamilton are rising The number of Ontario Works caseloads in the City of Hamilton has also seen an increase over the past twelve months: from September 2008 to September 2009, the number of caseloads as risen by 28%. This trend is expected to continue into 2010, especially as Employment Insurance (EI) applications increase and people require emergency supplemental income while waiting for their first EI payments, or as EI benefits expire and individuals are still in need of income support. In addition to a rising number of caseloads, the City of Hamilton reports that fewer people are leaving the caseload for employment or other reasons.5

5 City of Hamilton. Community Services Department, Employment and Income Support Division. June 2, 2009 Implementation of Phase 2 Ontario Works Caseload Contingency Plan (CS09021(a)) (City Wide). Available online at: http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/6B0367B7‐11F1‐41F0‐BFDC‐B6978E4506DC/0/Jun17Item84CS09021aREPORTImplementationOWContingencyPlan.pdf

10,110 10,130 9,830

13,37014,220

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January 2006 January 2007 January 2008 January 2009 August 2009


Chart 17: Ontario Works Caseloads, City of Hamilton 2007-20096

6 Data courtesy of the City of Hamilton’s Community Wellness Indicators. Available online at: http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/17F5D3A4‐E0AB‐423F‐8D2A‐22E3AA603C1A/0/HCWSep01.pdf

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4.0 FOOD SECURITY

The Ontario Association of Food Banks is reporting that Ontario’s food banks are increasingly stressed due to rising unemployment, high food prices, and increased demands for their services. Many food banks have experienced a decline in both financial and food donations in the past year, and existing food reserves are precariously low.7 Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the price of food has been rising significantly. A 3.8% increase in food prices from January 2008 to September 2009 combined with increased costs for shelter, household expenses, clothing and footwear, health and personal items, and a failing economy means that Canadian families are increasingly in need of social supports like food banks and meal programs. Chart 18: Consumer Price Index, Statistics Canada 2006-2009

7 Ontario Association of Food Banks (2009). Special Report: In the Midst of the Storm: the Impact of the Economic Downturn for Ontario’s Food Banks in 2009. Available online at: http://www.oafb.ca/assets/pdfs/SpecialReport.pdf

Food Shelter HouseholdClothing and

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Transportation

Health and personal

Recreation, education, reading

Alchoholic beverages, tobacco products

2007 111.8 114.4 103.3 93.5 117.2 107.3 101.0 129.8

2008 116.0 118.4 105.0 92.2 119.6 109.2 101.6 131.7

September 2009 120.4 120.9 107.9 94.9 113.6 113.7 105.0 131.3

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4.1 Food Access Sites in the Community of Hamilton8

Community Gardens

1 North Hamilton Community Health Centre(605) 523-6611 Keith Neighbourhood Community Garden (Southeast corner of Burton and Douglas Sts.) Paradise Community Garden (Southeast corner of Burlington and Wellington Sts. Behind the warehouse)

Open for organic gardening. Water, tools, some transplants and seeds are provided. Volunteers and Garden Coordinator are available to help. Gardens are protected. $10.00 a plot per season. North end residents given priority.

2 Jamesville Community Gardiners (905) 548-6321 51 Stuart St. (behind Worker’s Arts & Heritage Centre) Tues – Sat, 10AM – 4PM

One shared plot $10.00 per year. Water and tools are provided. Call first.

3 West Highland Baptist Church Victory Garden & Plots (905) 575-9439 1605 Garth St. (near Rymal Rd. W.) Mon-Sun, 9AM-12PM; Mon, Tues, Thu, 6-9PM

125 Garden plots at 15’ x 15’. Tools are not provided. Cost of $25.00.

Congregate Dining

5 First Place Hamilton(905) 525-9800 350 King St. E., 3rd Floor – Hamilton Room Breakfast/lunch: Mon-Fri, 7AM-1:30PM; Sat, 9AM-1:30PM; Sun, 11AM-1:30PM; dinner every day, 4-6:30PM

A full dining program and a daily lunch special in a family oriented atmosphere. Breakfast $2.50. Prices vary for lunch. Dinner $4.00-$6.75. For seniors, people with disabilities, and their family members.

6 7

Wheels to Meals VON Hamilton(905) 522-1022 St. Joseph’s Centre for Ambulatory Health Services Idlewyld Manor

Seniors are transported by volunteer drivers to enjoy a mid-day meal together. Cost is $9.50.

8 Welcome Inn Community Centre(905) 525-5824 40 Wood St. E. Tue, 12-2:00PM

Weekly seniors’ lunch is provided by volunteers. Participants are mainly neighbourhood seniors who can walk to the centre, however volunteer transportation is available on a limited basis. Suggested contribution is $3.50 per meal.

8 All information about food access sites was collected from the City of Hamilton’s 2009 Food Access Guide, which is a comprehensive listing of places in the City of Hamilton where free or low cost food or meals are available. Electronic copies can be found at the City of Hamilton website: http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/HealthandSocialServices/TopicsAtoZ/#F


Must be a senior.

Food Bank/ Emergency Food

9 Good Shepherd Family Services(905) 528-9109 120 Cannon St. E. Mon-Fri, 10-11:30AM, 1-3:00PM

Must be over 16 years of age and must be paying rent. Please bring photo ID, rent and income receipts.

10 Living Rock Ministries(905) 528-7625 30 Wilson St. Tue, Wed, Thu, 1-4:00PM

Must be between the ages of 13 and 25. Participants can use the food bank once per week.

11 Mission Services(905) 528-5100 50 Murray St. W. Mon & Fri, 9-11:00AM; Wed by appointment only, 9-11:30AM, 1-3:30PM

Emergency food program. Closed for the month of December. Must bring ID for all members of household, current income statement, rent receipt and utilities bill.

12 Neighbour to Neighbour Centre(905) 574-1334 28 Athens St. (between Upper James and West 5th off Mohawk) Mon & Thu, 9:30AM-12:15PM, 1-3:00PM

Must be Hamilton Mountain, Ancaster, or Mount Hope resident. Must have ID, current proof of address and proof of income.

13 Canadian Red Cross Society(905) 522-8485 ext. 267 400 King St. E. Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-4:30PM, by appointment only.

For families with children under four years of age – must bring ID for each child and adult. Offered once every three months.

14 Salvation Army Family Services(905) 540-1888 ext. 220 80 Bay St. N. Mon-Fri, 9:30-11:30AM, 1-3:00PM by appointment.

Must have ID and proof of address. Services can be used once every two months per family. Maximum six visits per year, with a minimum of two months between visits.

13 St. Matthew’s House(905) 523-5546 414 Barton St. E. Mon-Fri, 9-11:30AM, 1-3:30PM

Food assistance offered once a month. Baby food and formula are provided as available. Can use one of St. Matthew’s House’s three programs each month. Two pieces of ID for adults and one piece of ID for children required.

16 Roxborough House(905) 545-0565 785 Britannia Ave. Mon & Thu, 9:00AM-12:00PM

Food assistance offered once a month. Baby food and formula are provided as available. Can use one of St. Matthew’s House’s three programs each month. Two pieces of ID for adults and one piece of ID for children required.


17 Welcome Inn Community Centre(905) 525-5824 40 Wood St. E. Mon, Wed, Thu, 12-12:30PM

Food bank can be used once every month.

Free Meals 18 Good Shepherd Centre(905) 528-9109 135 Mart St. (between Wilson and Cannon Sts.) Mon-Sat, 3:30-4:45PM

A free hot meal is offered. Families are welcome.

19 Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (905) 522-3233 71 Rebecca St. Street Drop In: Mon & Thu, 9:30-11:30AM Pancake Tues: every 3rd Tues. of the month, 9:30-11:00AM Friendly Fri: 1-3:00PM Dinner & a Movie: every 3rd Fri of the month, 6-8:00PM Family Sat: every 3rd Sat. of the month, 9:00AM-1:00PM

Street Drop In provides refreshments and a healthy snack. Friendly Friday is a drop in for hot refreshments and a snack. Family Saturday provides dinner and a movie for families.

20 Olive Branch Christian Centre(905) 522-7482 195 Rebecca St. Wed-Sun, 10:00AM-2:00PM

No smoking and no profanity.

21 Living Rock Ministries(905) 528-7625 30 Wilson St. (at Hughson St.) Mon-Fri breakfast, 8-9:30AM Tue, Wed, Thu supper, 6-9:00PM Sat, Sun light snacks, 1:30-8:00PM

Must be between the ages of 13 and 25.

22 23 24

Out of the Cold (905) 308-8447 Locations: Church of the Ascension (65 Charlton Ave. E.), Mon & Sat, 4-6:30PM. Centenary Church (24 Main St. W.), Tue, 4-6:30PM Erskine Presbyterian Church (19 Pearl St. N.), Wed, 5-6:30PM.

Soups and rolls are served at 4PM. A hot meal is served at 5:15PM.


25 26

James St. Baptist Church (96 James St. S.) Mon & Tue, 4PM-7:30AM. Overnight stays welcome. Breakfast at 6:30AM. A bagged lunch is provided. Wentworth Baptist Church (120 Wentworth St. N.), Fri, 4PM-7:30AM. Overnight stays welcome. Breakfast at 6:30AM. A bagged lunch is provided.

27 Wesley Urban Ministries(905) 528-5640 195 Ferguson Ave. N. (between Barton & Cannon Sts.) Daily breakfast Mon-Sat, 7-8:00AM; Lunch, 12-1:00PM; Sun soup, 12-1:00PM; Sun dinner, 4:00PM; Daily soup and sandwichs, 7-8:00PM.

A drop-in for adults over age 22. Those under 16 years of age need ID and must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Meals on Wheels 28 Dundas Community Services(905) 627-5461 3A-2 King St. W. Mon-Fri, 11:00AM-1:00PM

Diabetic and special meals are available. Meals consist of soup, bread, main course and dessert. $5.50 per meal, invoiced monthly.

29 VON Hamilton Meals on Wheels(905) 522-1022 414 Victoria Ave. N. Mon-Fri, mid-day.

Hot meals are delivered. Frozen meals are available for use on the weekend. Kosher, diabetic and vegetarian meals are also available. Delivery area: Hamilton and Stoney Creek. A small fee is charged. Restricted to senior adults and individuals with disabilities who have difficulties with meal preparation.

Perinatal Nourishment

30 Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition Program(905) 548-9593 712 Main St. E. Postnatal circle: Tue, 11:00AM-2:00PM; Prenatal classes: Thu, 1-3:00PM

Prenatal program for aboriginal women and their families. Program provides breast feeding counseling, labour support, growth and development support, food vouchers, lunch or snack, and bus tickets. Must be pregnant or have a child under one year old.

31 Francophone Community Health Centre(905) 528-0163 460 Main St. E., 4th Floor 1st and 3rd Wed of the month, 12-2:00PM

Offers one-on-one or group support to mothers who are either pregnant or have babies up to nine months old. Prenatal classes, food vouchers, diapers and vitamin supplements are also available. Must be a member of the Francophone community and speak French.

32 Healthy Moms Healthy Babies (905) 523-6611 ext. 303

Each weekly group provides: - Opportunities to learn about a


Mission Services, 50 Murray St. W. Weekly group meeting.

healthy pregnancy, healthy eating, breastfeeding, infant feeding, and healthy lifestyle

- Peer support - Snack or light meal - Grocery gift certificates and bus

tickets - Referrals to community resources - One-on-one counseling as required - Child-minding for children under 6

years

33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Welcome Baby (905) 546-3550 Located at the following 7 sites: Church of the Ascension (65 Charlton Ave. E.) Church of the Resurrection (435 Mohawk Rd.) Sanford Ontario Early Years Centre (735 King St. E.) Ontario Early Years Centre Main West (1900 Main St. W.) Youth Group at Wesley Ontario Early Years Centre – Hamilton West(155 Queen St. W.) Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre (150 Violet Dr.) Ontario Early Years Centre - Hamilton East Brighter Futures (45 Ellis Ave)

Each weekly group provides: - Opportunities to learn about a

healthy pregnancy, healthy eating, breastfeeding, infant feeding, and healthy lifestyle

- Peer support - Snack or light meal - Grocery gift certificates and bus

tickets - Referrals to community resources - One-on-one counseling as required - Child-minding for children under 6

years Must be pregnant to register. A participant graduates when her infant reaches 6 months of age.

Shopping/ Transportation

40 Dundas Community Services Grocery Shopping Program (905) 627-5461 3A-2 King St. W.

A transportation service that takes shoppers to the store of their choice within Dundas. Clients must call ahead to book a driver. Must be a senior citizen or a person with a physical disability. Not wheelchair accessible. $5.00 round trip.

41 Grocer-ease (905) 545-1175 681 Main St. E. Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-4:30PM

Delivery Area: the City of Hamilton, including Ancaster, Dundas, and Stoney Creek. (Some delivery to rural areas based on distance). Grocery shopping and delivery service for seniors and individuals with disabilities who are unable to get out and obtain their own groceries. A grocery list is taken by phone and staff shops at a major supermarket in client’s area. Staff also assists in putting the groceries away when necessary.


$7.00 for orders under $100.00. A $2.50 surcharge applies for each additional $25.00 spent. One day of notice is requested.

42 43 44 45 46 47

Shopping by Bus VON Hamilton(905) 522-0053 Every 2nd Wed at 1:00AM: 155 Park St. and 120 Strathcona Ave. N. Every 2nd Thurs starting at 8:45AM: 226 Rebecca St. 120 Strathcona Ave. 30 Sanford Ave. S. 316 King William St. 181 Jackson St. W.

An HSR bus takes clients to Fortino’s or No Frills. A volunteer is present to help shoppers.

School Breakfast Programs

Hamilton Partners in Nutrition (905) 522-1148 ext. 301 http://partnersinnutrition.ca

There are more than 60 HPIN locations in the Community of Hamilton. Visit the Partners in Nutrition website for locations and information.


Map 8: Locations of Food Access Sites in the Community of Hamilton, 2009


5.0 UNITED WAY AGENCIES

5.1 Who is served by the United Way in the Community of Hamilton? In 2007 over 127,778* individuals and families from the Community of Hamilton accessed United Way funded services.

5.2 Some examples of United Way funded services and programs accessed by Hamilton residents Children & Youth accessed recreational and day camp programs; early years and parenting programming; counseling supports; leadership and training; good beginnings – early years and parenting; mentoring and matching; after school programs and homework clubs. Agencies that provided these services include:

Alternatives for Youth Big Brothers Big Sisters Hamilton & Burlington Catholic Youth Organization Cathy Wever School Community Living Hamilton Dawn Patrol Child & Youth Services Dr. J. Edgar Davey School Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board & Hamilton Wentworth District

School Board Jamesville Community Centre

58,735 Children

and Youth

15,958 Families

44,421Individuals

8,664 Seniors


Living Rock Ministries Lynwood Hall Child and Family Centre McQuesten Community Centre Mission Services Navy League Robert Land Community Association/Eva Rothwell Resource Centre VON Hamilton Welcome Inn Community Centre Wesley Urban Ministries Workers Art and Heritage Centre/HYSO YMCA Hamilton/Burlington YWCA of Hamilton

Families accessed counselling programs and practical assistance. Agencies that provided these services include:

Catholic Family Services John Howard Society Hamilton Jewish Social Services St. Matthew’s House

Individuals accessed credit counselling; information and referral services; volunteer opportunities; literacy and basic skills; services for the hearing impaired, hard of haring; services for those in conflict or at risk of conflict with the law; counselling; health supports; mental health supports; education & awareness on violence and sexual assault; social and recreational activities; women transitional housing; employment support services; adult health fitness and recreation; volunteer opportunities; health support services; practical assistance. Agencies that provided these services include:

Catholic Family Services Canadian Mental Health Association, Hamilton Branch Community Information Hamilton Dundas Community Services Elizabeth Fry Society Hamilton & District Ostomy Association Hamilton Jewish Social Services Hamilton Literacy Council John Howard Society Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hamilton Chapter St. Matthew’s House/Roxborough Park Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton and Area Volunteer Hamilton YWCA of Hamilton


Seniors accessed programs and services that allow them to continue to live independently, i.e. meals on wheels, home support services, friendly visiting, telephone care, transportation, case management, home health care equipment, dog therapy visits to long term care and retirement homes, social, fitness and recreation opportunities; access to income programs; awareness and education of available supports; and information & referral. Agencies that provided these services include:

Afro Canadian Caribbean Association Canadian Hearing Society CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Canadian Red Cross Society Catholic Family Services Dundas Community Services Hamilton Council on Aging Hamilton Jewish Social Services St. John Ambulance St. Joseph’s Home Care St. Joseph’s Villa Day Program St. Matthew’s House – Roxborough Park Urban Native Homes VON Hamilton Wesley Urban Ministries

* The numbers above include information collected by the United Way from those agencies that continue to track clients that reside in the former municipalities.


6.0 SUMMARY This overview of key census indicators indicates that the Community of Hamilton faces multiple challenges and opportunities. An aging population is one trend that is constant all parts of the city, including in the Community of Hamilton where the senior age groups are growing faster than the child age groups. Hamilton’s proportion of children and seniors is ranked right in the middle of all the communities with the city. While there has been a decrease in the number of young children (not as great as in Flamborough, however), the number of children at home per family has remained constant at 1.2 while in other faster growing communities this number has decreased. Hamilton’s population of seniors has increased since 1996, but not as rapidly as in other communities. The large population of soon-to-be-seniors (55-64 year olds), however, indicates that the senior population in Hamilton is set to grow even faster, assuming they continue to live in this community. The proportion of seniors living alone is highest in Hamilton at 29%, but the number of persons in this situation has remained relatively constant (hovering at just under 15,000 seniors). Hamilton has the highest proportion of families led by female lone parents in its population, standing at 18% in 2006 (up from 16% in 1996). Hamilton also has the highest proportion of residents born outside of Canada at 28%, but this is only 1% higher that the proportion of immigrants in Stoney Creek. The proportion of recent immigrants is more clearly highest in Hamilton at 4.2% in 2006 (the next highest Community was Stoney Creek with 2.1%). But the proportion of recent immigrants in Hamilton has remained constant the 2001-2006 period. Hamilton is also the most diverse community within the city with 17% of its population belonging to a visible minority group. The overall growth rate for the Community of Hamilton has been the lowest in the city, averaging just over 0.2% per year. Not only is this low compared to other parts of the city, the rate has been much less constant than in most other communities. Following a period of relatively high growth in 1996-2001, Hamilton experienced a drop in population from 2001-2006. One major contrast with other communities is that the Community of Hamilton has fewer new “greenfields” for developers to build new subdivisions, unlike most other parts of the City. While the City has made efforts to steer developers to the opportunities available in “brownfields” within Hamilton, developers have tended to favour the more suburban communities for their investment in new housing starts. This distinction is reflected in the differing population growths across the city. The province’s new Places to Grow Act may increase the population growth in the Community of Hamilton in the coming years, as intensification within currently built-up areas is favoured by this legislation. Finally, Hamilton has the lowest median income of all the communities at just over $24,000 in 2006. While the poverty rate in Hamilton continues to be the highest in the city, it has dropped since 1996 going from 28% to 23% in 2006. The number of people this represents is still much too high at almost 75,000 people (more people that in all of Stoney Creek). The poverty rate for young children is another indicator that must be noted, as it is double the rate for the general population, standing at 34% in 2006.


In order to respond to the community conditions outlined in this report, the United Way has established that its priorities for investment in the City of Hamilton are Poverty Prevention (children, youth and families), Strengthening Neighbourhoods (children, youth, families and individuals) and Supporting Seniors. In addition the United Way asks that submissions for funding consider how the unique challenges of women, visible minorities, recent immigrants and aboriginal groups can be addressed. In Section B, we have given a glimpse into the United Way’s system of service and the number of residents of the Community of Hamilton that are served by a United Way funded program. The United Way’s priorities are reflected in the services and programs funded in Hamilton, and are an important part of the community’s response to the challenges and opportunities that Hamilton faces. This picture of Hamilton only shows part of the issues facing this community, and further investigations are necessary to more clearly identify and understand the reasons behind some of these trends. But it is hoped that this Community Profile can be used a starting point for planning purposes by the United Way, social service agencies, community groups and citizens.


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Please return it by fax to: 905-522-9124 Or by mail to: Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton 162 King William St. Suite 103, Hamilton, ON L8R 3N9

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