Merritt completes draft poverty reduction report

As the City of Merritt works to complete its new official community plan (OCP), the municipality received grant funding to complete a poverty reduction assessment report.

“UBCM provided a $25,000 grant for this work,” stated Planning Manager Don McArthur.

The draft of the report has been published to the City’s website with staff looking for community feedback on the document. Feedback is welcome until May 28, 2021.

“The report includes an overview of the Province’s plans to dramatically reduce poverty by 2024, the local context of poverty in Merritt, and policy recommendations to address poverty within our community,” said McArthur.

The seven identified policy areas include:

• Social Equity and Inclusion;
• Housing and Shelter;
• Transportation and Active Transportation;
• Parks and Recreation;
• Income and Employment;
• Social and Health Services;
• Poverty Awareness and Education.

“Recommendations from the Poverty Reduction Assessment will be used to inform policy development for the Official Community Plan, as well as future updates to master plans,” added McArthur.