Studies paint bleak picture of Yukon poor

Some of the data in two new Yukon poverty studies is staggering, says the executive director of a Yukon non-profit organization.

The Whitehorse Housing Adequacy Study and the Dimensions of Social Inclusion and Social Exclusion in Yukon 2010 report were both released by the Yukon government on Wednesday.

'These really are the first valid studies that will carry some weight' — Ross Findlater, Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition

"What we're seeing right here is pretty serious. It's not something that I think we can run away from," said Rick Goodfellow, executive director of Challenge Community Vocational Alternatives, which supports the employment of people with disabilities.

The report on social inclusion found indicators of health and well-being were poor in Yukon, where the life expectancy is five years lower than the average for Canada as a whole.

For example, there are typically three times as many deaths due to unintentional injury in Yukon than in Canada; smoking rates are 10 per cent higher than the national rate; and there are more frequent, heavy drinkers, the report says. The Yukon crime rate is several times higher than the national average.

Many respondents to the social inclusion survey said they'd been discriminated against because they were on social assistance, because of their religion, or because they're aboriginal.

Most respondents also said they don't feel comfortable speaking out about problems, and feel those who do aren't respected or are ostracized by the community.

Ross Findlater of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition said both the social inclusion report and the housing adequacy study are a positive step towards addressing homelessness and poverty.

"These really are the first valid studies that will carry some weight," he said.

More than 30 non-governmental organizations worked with the government to gather data for the two studies, which were done to help create a new Yukon Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Strategy.

"[The studies] are baselines," Findlater said, "and the whole strategy, whatever it is, that the government comes up with, a huge component for me is going to be accountability, and without a baseline, you can't hold anybody accountable."

Most homeless under age 25: study

The housing adequacy study surveyed people on social assistance and the Whitehorse Housing wait list, people who access non-government services for those with lower incomes, and others who might face housing challenges. The questionnaire was completed by 748 people, 107 of whom were homeless.

On average, Yukon has high average income and education levels, though segments of the population still struggle in those areas.

The people most likely to be homeless were not raising children, were aboriginal, were younger than 25, or were living on a household income of less than $20,000 in the past year.

For those with homes, the housing study found that young people, low-income people and single parents were most likely to suffer from excessive shelter costs, though rent subsidies helped single parents. Senior citizens were significantly more likely to be living in overcrowded housing.

The Yukon social inclusion survey was taken from a sampling of 927 Yukon residents selected by random dialing. A special sample surveyed 196 households without home phones. Responses were weighted by age, gender and ethnic distribution, and to correct for different sampling rates in Whitehorse and rural Yukon.

The 200-page report generated by the survey includes information on everything from education levels, views on health care, crime and access to recreation and culture.

A meeting in January will allow public feedback.