Community News

THE PROBLEM OF MAKING ENDS MEET IN MUSKOKA IS A KEY ELECTION ISSUE

organizations. One of the findings, from a survey conducted by the District of Muskoka last October, noted that out of the 161 individuals surveyed, 53 per cent reported experiencing chronic homelessness.

"It's very challenging for people to secure safe and sustainable housing," said DeCaro. "Since 2018 ... more people were moving from the GTA to Muskoka or moving permanently into seasonal homes. That really has driven up the cost of homes."

The issue of an increase in the cost of living was at the forefront of a town hall hosted by PROMPT, a community-led anti-poverty group in Muskoka, on April 12.

Susan Campbell, a volunteer organizer at the group, said that while PROMPT stands for Poverty Reduction of Muskoka Planning Table, the group aims to "eradicate poverty."

"More people are being hit with the cost of living increases because of inflation and gas prices ... politicians have no choice but to pay attention to those issues because they're getting bigger all the time," said Campbell, adding that many of the factors contributing to an increase in the cost of living, like housing, were not touched upon in the previous election.

But with prices going up, she said more attention is being placed on the issue.

"Something that has to have a profit made out of it, that attitude has to change," said Campbell. "There used to be a time when we believed that housing was a social good. It was important that there was housing for everybody."

Since its inception in 2009, PROMPT has raised funds for the community and engaged in local initiatives. This is the first year the group has hosted town halls leading up to the election. Out of the seven town halls scheduled, three are yet to take place.

As for the Vital Signs report, DeCaro said the Muskoka Community Foundation will be releasing its next report in 2023.

"Depending on when we publish the report or start compiling data, sometimes we're able to include the first part of the year we're releasing it in ... We work closely with our community partners who are compiling Muskoka-specific data to be able to do that," said DeCaro. "And our hope is that we can always kind of show some comparative data from previous years as well."

Further information on the town halls hosted by PROMPT can be accessed online through the group's

Facebook page www.facebook.com/ PROMPTMUSKOKA/ or by calling 705-645-6607 ext. 25.

at

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Cost of living is one of the key election issues readers are wanting to hear about. It's important we tell the stories of people on the ground fighting poverty in Muskoka.

COMMUNITY

en-ca

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281487869957041

Metroland Media Group Ltd.