Article

First affordability payments delivered, but long-term solutions are needed

VCC is concerned some people are falling through the cracks

31 January 2023

About 900,000 Albertans are receiving the first instalment of monthly affordability payments this week. Some people receiving the payments are saying it's not enough and missing some key people who need the support.

"There are some people here who have really fallen through the cracks who we know are in poverty from an evidence perspective. (For post-secondary) students, the poverty rate among young adults between 18 and 24 is the highest among all age groups." said Meaghon Reid, VCC's executive director. She also stressed that there are people who face barriers in applying. "That might be people without computers, or reliable internet access, or that digital literacy to be able to log on and to complete that account. And so while we are glad for the people who are receiving it, we have a big question mark about who's not receiving it."

Read the full article: First affordability payments delivered, long-term solutions needed: recipients

hands holding an empty black wallet

Action to improve affordability leaves some out

Singles, a group often overrepresented in deep poverty, are mostly left out of Alberta's Affordability Action Plan