From Disparity to Equity: Initiatives for Child Poverty Reduction in the Greater Vancouver Region

In recent years, high inflation rates in Vancouver have affected many citizens, especially lower-income families where even many children have been driven to poverty. According to the 2022 BC Child Poverty Report Card, 14 out of 26 urban areas in BC had at least 1,000 children living in poverty, with especially large numbers coming from Metro Vancouver (57,500 children) (First Call, 2022). Families at an economic disadvantage cannot provide basic necessities for their children to live a fulfilling life. After a prolonged time, this presents challenges for young individuals as they struggle to access quality education, healthcare, and opportunities for personal and professional development, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. This review aims to analyze the current problem of youth poverty in Greater Vancouver to determine the various initiatives that should be taken — both by the local community and governing body — to combat this rising issue. From conducting research and analysis, the abundant evidence coming from varying sources shows that there are clear and cohesive ways to help low-income communities and reduce child poverty.