4.0 Social Issues
Impact of Lower Education Levels
Statistics from the 2001 Census indicate that the population of Brant County continues to achieve lower levels of education, on average, compared to the rest of Ontario. Forty per cent (40%) of residents had not completed a high school diploma compared to 33% for Ontario. Higher education levels are generally associated with improved health and economic opportunity.
Improved Employment and Working Conditions
The unemployment rate has continued to drop and is slightly lower (8%) than for the rest of Ontario (9%). Generally, unemployment has decreased in Brantford and area since 1996. In 2001, job opportunities improved, especially within the service sector, and for women. The unemployment rate for 15-24 year olds (18%) continues to be higher than the rate for the total population over 15 years of age. Figures for Brant County differed from the rest of Ontario in that more females aged 15-24 years were unemployed (19.8%) compared to young men in the same age group.
Employment provides opportunity, access to resources and can contribute to a personal sense of well being. Similarly, working conditions and type of work can significantly impact on the level of exposure to health risks such as second hand smoke or work place injury, and access to benefits, such as extended health insurance. The 2001 Census indicates that the labour force participation rate in Brant County has consistently stayed at or just above the provincial average for Ontario since 1996.
Poverty and Low Income Neighbourhoods
Income is closely tied to employment, type of employment and market demand. Access to income and its distribution are factors that influence health and overall quality of life. Although Brant County is below Ontario on all income indicators, the one exception is the incidence of low income. Low income families are at an increased risk of poverty as they have fewer financial reserves to deal with higher costs of living. Quality of life and personal health are both directly linked to poverty. A low income family is generally defined as those who must spend too large a proportion of their income on basic needs such as food and shelter. In Brant County, single parent families are at greatest risk for low income.
Neighbourhood data gathered by the Brant County Health Unit in 2000 suggest that it cannot be assumed that income is distributed equally across neighbourhoods or areas of Brantford and the County of Brant. For example, in 1996 the average (husband-wife) family income of residents living in Eagle Place was $12,193 lower than that for an average family in Brantford. Income distribution has been identified as a significant factor in overall health status.
Inadequate Affordable housing
On average, the housing stock in both Brant County is somewhat older than the provincial stock with 29% of Brant County housing having been built before 1946 as compared to 19 % of provincial housing (Fig. 1.17). However, while the average home in Brant County may be older, it is more likely to be owned. In 1996, 70% of the homes in Brant County were owned compared to 64% across Ontario. In Brant County, ownership levels were lowest in the most urban area with the City of Brantford having an ownership level of 65% and highest in the more rural areas with both Onondaga Township and South Dumfries having ownership levels over 90%.
Overall, population growth is forecasted to continue in an upward trend for both the City of Brantford and County of Brant. The municipal Supply and Demand Analysis Report (April, 2003) anticipated that an average of 584 new housing units per year will be required over the next twenty years just to keep up with the demand for housing of all types. It noted that the rate of residential development is keeping pace, but is not providing the range of units required. There is a specific concern that the demand for units to house those at the lower end of the income scale will continue to increase while supply of such units will decline.
Growing Demands for Seniors Housing
The population is not only growing, but getting older on average. This trend suggests there will be an increasing requirement for housing of all types for seniors living throughout the Brantford/Brant County area. The importance of staying in one’s own community supported by adequate and affordable housing and appropriate support services is increasingly a concern. A lack of such capacity in many of the rural areas of Brant County is also highlighted in the April, 2003 supply and demand study.
Housing for Youth 16-18
The Youth Resource Centre (YRC) is currently the only service providing supports and housing alternatives to homeless youth and those at risk of homelessness. Providing both a residential and non-residential support component, the YRC serves youth aged 15 to 19 years of age. A key objective of the YRC is to promote reconciliation with the family. Where this is not possible, these youth receive help in accessing affordable housing. The current low vacancy rate for rental units, combined with a high level demand for such units frequently places area landlords in a position of picking and choosing their preferred tenants. Youth between 16-18 years of age and who have left home are particularly vulnerable because they are too old to receive support from the Children’s Aid Society. And, generally, youth are also not a good risk as tenants by many landlords, given it is often difficult to claim or collect for damages that youth may make to their properties.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Affordable Student Housing in Brantford
There has been rapid growth and expansion of the Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford campus in the downtown core area. The university anticipates that, within the next two years, there will be a shortfall of no less than 300 units. The low vacancy rates in area rental markets and rising rental costs will likely make it very difficult for the existing private market to meet the need for student housing.
Need for Social support
Support from families, friends and communities is important in times of stress, helps in the attainment of the basic prerequisites of health (such as food, housing, clothing), and contributes to a sense of well being. In 2002, the Brant County Health Unit and Grand River District Health Council conducted a series of focus groups throughout Brant County as part of a Health Goals Framework study. Two of the focus groups involved youth and senior perspectives. Participants were asked to talk about the social supports they felt were most needed in the Brant community. Their responses were as follows:
Youth identified issues: teen pregnancy and parenting; income/employment/training; support and guidance; transportation; lack of knowledge about volunteering.
Senior identified issues: home support; transportation; finding family doctor; access to information; accessible and affordable housing options; volunteerism.