Lunenburg Part 2 - Section 5 - Social Vulnerability - August 30.pdf

Some consultees commented that newcomers are not always well accepted into communities in
the District, describing how people who do not have family connections in the area may be
viewed as outsiders and experience exclusion. This may be surprising to some new residents,
who are not prepared for the physical and social isolation they may experience. One consultee
noted that newcomers who do not belong to a faith group may find it particularly difficult to create
social connections. Another felt that traditional family arrangements are predominant in the
District, and that newcomers who do not conform to established norms may have especial
difficulty finding acceptance.
Low Income & Social Assistance
Consultees felt that low-income residents face increased risk from climate change impacts
because of their limited resources. Single parents were identified as a population group likely to
experience low income in addition to the challenge of sole responsibility for family well-being.
Several consultees remarked that when people already can’t afford rent, food, and heat for their
home, they will be unable to invest in emergency supplies or preventative measures to reduce
their physical risk. Individuals struggling to meet the expense of basic needs are unlikely to have
a contingency fund for unexpected expenses in the event of an emergency.
One issue of concern for low income residents is housing. The existing housing stock includes
many old homes, some of which are in poor repair, with leaky roofs and windows, or little to no
insulation; tenants have little control over the maintenance of rental units. Low income residents
may not be able to choose a home in good repair if they are renters, or may be unable to
sufficiently maintain their home, or invest in flood-proofing measures, if they are homeowners.
Consultees noted that there are modest homes in some low-lying areas that have clearly been
flooded in the past; environmental hazards such as mold and mildew, and structural safety are
concerns for these homes and their residents. They expressed concern that lower income
residents might not have flood insurance, and that loss of property value in the case of a flood
could be a serious burden.
Low income individuals without access to a personal vehicle are particularly disadvantaged, due
to the lack of alternative transportation options: travelling to a grocery store in Lunenburg or
Bridgewater is challenging, and individuals can only purchase as much as they can carry,
limiting their ability to maintain an emergency supply of food. Those with modest or shared
accommodations might also have limited storage space for food. Low-income individuals who
lack family connections in the area have fewer support networks, and are therefore more
vulnerable than others.
Many residents in the District are somewhat self-sufficient in food, keeping a garden and
perhaps chickens, and canning or freezing foods. However, those without their own property,
access to a yard, storage options, and knowledge of methods for preserving food, do not have
this advantage, and are entirely dependent on the ability to access grocery stores. These
residents may also be less likely to an alternative power source to operative a fridge or freezer in
the event of a power outage. One consultee questioned if support from food banks would be
available to residents in need in the event of a natural hazard; these organizations rely on
volunteers, who might be unable to volunteer if they are dealing with a crisis situation
themselves, or if access routes are disrupted.
Two consultees, both knowledgeable about population health issues, emphasized the
interconnected nature of challenges faced by individuals with low income: poverty is related to
housing, housing is related to food security, food security is related to transportation, and
transportation is related to employment opportunities. These relationships create multiple
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