Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

For some individuals, particularly those in board and lodge or
without a fixed address, a shift to a flat rate will mean an immediate
and significant increase in their monthly income. For example,
using 2017 social assistance rates, an individual in board and lodge
would go from receiving a maximum of $594 per month from social
assistance to $721. An individual without a fixed address would
go from $337 to $721. This is a critical shift and, along with the
simplicity that comes from transforming the rate structure, is one of
the reasons this change must be urgently implemented. However, it is
also important that this increase in income come with an active offer
of support to connect people to housing, financial empowerment
programming, personal budgeting supports, counselling and other
services and supports they may need to gain the greatest benefit
from this transformative change. For example, programs like the
Financial Empowerment and Problem-Solving program provide
financial education, advocacy and services like tax filing and
budgeting to low-income people in their communities, while some
municipalities equip social housing workers to educate individuals in
the rights and responsibilities of being a tenant.
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