The Community Services Committee approved a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ottawa, which offers a vision for people to have the resources they need to make decisions about their well-being and pursue their full potential.
The strategy was developed in partnership with the Coalition of Community Health and Resources Centres, Ottawa Community Food Partnership and Ottawa Food Bank. It was developed under the guidance of an advisory group in collaboration with more than 70 organizations and in engagement with approximately 200 residents. It is built on five key pillars, including food security, employment, financial security, economic development, and system level change.
The strategy will help guide City efforts to reduce poverty, which is one of the key risks to safety and well-being identified in the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. It also highlights City work already underway to reduce poverty, and recommends short-term priorities for both the City and the wider community. Priorities and short-term actions for 2025 and 2026 include:
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Holding a community-led food security forum in 2025 in partnership with the food sector
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Establishing a working group to coordinate food security efforts, enhance policies and increase funding to food sector organizations
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Increasing funding for mentorship programs for Indigenous, Black and racialized youth, and skills development programs for racialized and newcomer youth
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One-time funding for tax-clinic coordination citywide and coordinating income and employment security measures
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Assessing Ottawa’s labour market and identifying workforce needs and opportunities
Funding needed to implement the strategy will be presented to Council for approval as part of the 2025 City budget process.
The Committee also approved the City’s continued administration of the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefits program for 2024-25. The Province allocated $2.2 million to the City of Ottawa, which will assist approximately 247 households and provide an average monthly subsidy of $954 to help with costs for permanent private market housing.
Items considered at this meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, October 30.
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