The Community Foundation Grey Bruce unveiled its Vital Signs report Wednesday at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound.
“The Vital Signs report uses community data to paint a picture of areas that might be a concern or might be things we are proud of,” says Executive Director of the Community Foundation Grey Bruce Stuart Reid. “And we cover all kinds of indicators from housing and living standards to health and wellness, arts and culture, the environment, and learning, so it’s quite a panorama of different data sources.”
The report was presented to more than 75 people in attendance, with various community leaders getting a chance to speak.
“The Vital Signs report is an important resource because it helps us better understand the factors that contribute to a healthy and thriving community,” says MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Paul Vickers.
The presentation covered several areas, including the cost of housing, noting that “one in three rental tenants pay rent that exceeds 30 per cent (of household income).”
“The major takeaway is the cost of shelter and housing, which has continued to rise,” Reid says. “The problem we have in Grey-Bruce is that our wages are low in comparison to the province, so there’s an emerging gap in terms of affordability.”
It was also mentioned that student enrollment has gone up over the past 10 years, with an increase of more than 3,000 students.
Reid says he finds reassurance in the grants and action stories about how local charities and non-profits are coming up with creative projects and activities that the foundation is able to support.