New poverty reduction strategy in development for Revelstoke

As the cost of living continues to rise in Revelstoke, the City of Revelstoke is exploring a poverty reduction strategy to examine why economic disparity is growing within the community.

The group looking into the poverty reduction strategy held its first meeting on March 17, after taking a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. While the group took a break, inflation and rising housing prices continued to push the cost of living upwards across British Columbia. Recent estimates put Revelstoke’s living wage at $19.51 per hour in 2021, compared to $18.90 per hour in 2019. 

Although provincial authorities announced a minimum wage raise for June 1, 2022, the promised $15.65 per hour falls short across the province. 

“With the scale that poverty exists on, making really strategic action is really important. It can’t be underestimated,” says Taha Attiah, community development coordinator for the City of Revelstoke and one of the leaders working on the strategy.

While the 2022 strategy and report are still in their infancy stages, Attiah emphasizes that these findings can be used to “advocate for greater supports [from] higher levels of government.”

Renewed strategy incorporates lived experiences with statistical analysis

In addition to examining local poverty indicators; like income, rent costs, and food bank usage, the 2022 strategy will incorporate the stories and lived experiences of those experiencing poverty in Revelstoke. 

According to Attiah, the group called Collective Impact plans on conducting interviews during the research process. 

“We’re getting the opportunity again to do the community work, and do the gathering of collective voices to understand and shift the narrative around how to alleviate poverty,” he says. 

In 2018, the City of Revelstoke released a statistical snapshot on poverty to assist and develop the previous poverty reduction strategy. 

While the pandemic has pushed the need for poverty alleviation, the timing of the 2021 Census results also provides an advantage for gathering statistics in comparison to the 2018 report. Simply put, the Census statistics are fresher this time around. 

The 2022 Poverty Reduction Strategy is funded by a $25,000 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities. Collective Impact estimates that the first draft of the report will be ready in September 2022. 

Focusing on the power of community to mitigate poverty

Facing a challenging project ahead of him, Attiah emphasizes the need for a diverse group of voices when examining poverty in our community.

As he explains, poverty is not just measured by economic means, but also how one can participate in their community.

“There’s strength in having a diversity of stories, so we don’t end up with a caricature [of] poverty,” Attiah explains.

Beyond the recommendations in the renewed report and strategy, Attiah hopes these conversations can inspire community members to help their neighbours in need.

“Before and after the report is completed, that work [community buildig] is already being done… the report and strategy update is a way of enhancing those conversations.”

According to officials, the first draft of the 2022 Poverty Reduction Strategy will be ready in September 2022. Attiah emphasizes that individual feedback is an important part of the report, and encourages residents to participate in the outreach process.