Letter from Community Social Planning Council re: Endorsement Request

REQUEST FOR ENDORSEMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN ON POVERTY

Dear Mayor Hill and Council,

I'm writing to request that you endorse the attached Community Action Plan on Poverty led by the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria. The Action Plan is intended to mobilize people and organizations across all sectors of the Capital Region to contribute to reducing and preventing poverty. Affordability challenges are affecting many of our residents with real average income in the region declining by 9% in the last five years. The Action Plan points to 10 key areas for action, from strengthening our local economy, to increasing the supply of affordable housing, and improving financial and debt literacy. A living wage policy and program with employers, including municipal governments, is one aspect of the Action Plan we would ask you to consider as a municipality.

I'm attaching a copy of the Community Action Plan on Poverty for your information. Please visit the webpage www.CAPonPoverty.ca for more details.

We will be convening a community assembly later in the year to review progress with the Plan, and set priorities for integrated action in the coming year that your Council will be invited to. We are also compiling a series of profiles of initiatives in the region and in other communities that are contributing to reducing and preventing poverty from which we can learn and which will be featured at the Assembly.

We already have a number of endorsements from health and social agencies, local government, business and chambers of commerce. We would welcome the endorsement of the Town of View Royal and would be happy to make a presentation at a Council or Committee meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Rupert Downing Executive Director