Chatham-Kent has made some big strides in reducing housing insecurity among residents.
The municipality released its Housing and Homelessness 2016 Progress Report this week, which is packed with statistics and information about the housing and living situations of Chatham-Kent residents.
According to the report, 11% of Chatham-Kent residents received social assistance last year. The municipality says the median personal income after taxes was $27,870 in the municipality for the year of 2016.
Chatham-Kent Housing Services provides $135,000 each year to help those unable to afford rentals and safe secure housing. According the report, a housing allowance is provided to give participants the freedom to rent units that meet the needs of their life. In 2016, the program helped 43 seniors, single people, and working families to sustain safe, affordable housing.
The average wait times for social housing in Chatham-Kent is six months for families, 30 months for singles and couples, 30 months for people over the age of 50, and 12 months for seniors over the age of 65.
Under Chatham-Kent's Homeless Prevention Programs and Services, 290 people received housing support in 2016.
Chatham-Kent was also awarded funding for a two-year Portable Housing Benefit pilot program last year to help survivors of domestic violence. Nine households were helped through this program in 2016, receiving an average of $230.00 per month in Portable Housing Benefits.
As well, Chatham-Kent has a Homemakers Program, which provides homemaking services like laundry, shopping, and meal preparation to individuals who require assistance with daily chores and have limited financial resources. The report says 31 people were helped with over 3,000 hours of supportive home care in 2016, which is more than a 50% increase in the last year.