We're invited to "stand up against poverty" on Friday.
A rally is being held on the steps of Sarnia's City Hall over the noon hour to draw attention to the growing problem in the community and around the globe.
According to the Poverty Reduction Network, rental housing prices have almost doubled in the past six years leading to many of the most vulnerable losing their housing and staying in shelters or on the streets.
Co-Chair and Inn of the Good Shepherd Executive Director Myles Vanni said people who rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works haven’t seen an increase in assistance rates since 2018.
He said that's led to them having to live on an 85 cent dollar.
"Poverty is wrong," said Vanni. "It's growing in our community and we need to do something about it. We also want to encourage our elected officials to take poverty more seriously and do something to help alleviate that."
Vanni encourages everyone to come out to the very worthwhile initiative.
"It's a chance for the community to come together and for politicians to see that there's this visual sign that people aren't happy in our community," he said. "We'll have speakers who have lived experience, who have been living in poverty, and who have been able to get out of poverty. We'll talk about some of those major challenges."
Vanni said rental rates need to be brought under control.
"It's making it more difficult for people as rents go up," said Vanni. "But, we also find cases where landlords are being creative and kicking people out so that they can then put that unit back on the market at a much higher rate. People are losing their housing so these landlords can charge significantly more for their rent."
The Poverty Reduction Network is a network of over 20 agencies and concerned citizens who work to create awareness of the impact of poverty in Sarnia-Lambton and who work in the front lines to alleviate the impact of poverty on so many in the community.