Ahead of the upcoming provincial election in Ontario, Start Me Up Niagara has called for a commitment to an increase in social assistance payments from local candidates in the region.

“With the rising cost of housing and food, it is almost impossible for individuals to commit to both without struggles,” Samantha Dekker, marketing specialists for Start Me Up Niagara told Dear Niagara.

“Food banks have become overloaded and it strains the items they can share with the community. Individuals are losing their housing because costs have become insurmountable,” she said.

Start Me Up Niagara is a local not-for-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to offering services and programs to individuals who face significant life challenges such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, disabilities, substance use and mental heath.

The organization would also like to see an increase in social housing, “whether that be the investment of more lower income units or an increase in subsidies to qualifying families and individuals,” Dekker said.

Dekker has advised voters in the region to cast their ballot for a candidate that “can work for the people.”

“It is more important than ever that our candidates are working for lower to middle income families to ensure the basic necessities of life are not out of reach,” she said.

You can learn more about Start Me Up Niagara and their service by clicking here.