A profile of poverty in Edmonton: September 2024

Introduction

This report presents a snapshot of what poverty looks like in Edmonton in 2024. When thinking about poverty, our minds tend to jump to the most extreme cases – such as those experiencing homelessness. This report aims to shed light on those living in the “middle” – the working poor, those on the cusp of poverty, and those experiencing certain indicators of poverty while still living above the poverty line. Too often, these populations are ignored, and as such their situation remains hidden and largely unaddressed.

A rising cost of living; proliferation of low paying, unstable jobs; limited government support; and lack of access to quality education and childcare constrain people’s choices and create the conditions that trap people in poverty. Today, too many Edmontonians struggle to meet their basic needs and are forced to make tough decisions to get by each month. In this social and economic environment, it is increasingly difficult to access the things one needs to “get ahead.” Poverty is more than a simple lack of material resources, living in poverty limits one’s ability to participate in their community and live a dignified life.

The neighbour who works full-time yet still pays over 30% of their income on rent, the friend who wants to go back to school to get a better job but does not have the time or the money, or the sibling who stays home because they cannot access childcare may not be the first people to jump into one’s mind when picturing “poverty,” but they are nonetheless deeply impacted by it. This report aims to unpack some of the nuances surrounding poverty in Edmonton and illustrate how poverty impacts people’s lives in complicated and interconnected ways.

This project seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What does a dignified life look like in Edmonton? We aim to identify the things that give our lives meaning and are integral to well-being. This includes relationships and belonging, mental health, and sense of meaning.
2. What does it cost to have this life? This section will dive into cost of living indicators including housing, energy, healthy and culturally relevant food, transportation, health, recreation, clothing, and personal care.
3. What is needed to afford this life? This section will investigate indicators such as employment rates, quality of employment, incomes, and government supports, and whether or not these are sufficient to cover one’s basic needs.
4. What supports this life? This section investigates the larger systems that can enhance or impede the ability to get a good job, afford one’s needs, and live a dignified life. This includes access to education and childcare.

Throughout this report, the answers to these questions will be illustrated through “scenarios” we have created to bring these numbers to life. The people and families highlighted may be made up, but they represent the real struggles Edmonton families are going through.