Delta is growing in size and becoming more diverse as it is a an attractive place for young families, new immigrants, seniors, and working professionals who enjoy the city’s amenities, natural surroundings, and small community feel. Delta boasts a well-educated and high-earning (above the provincial average) population, and is seen as a caring community with a variety of supportive services tailored to the needs of residents.
Despite this, many Delta residents are living in poverty. Almost 10% of Delta residents are considered to live in low-income households. Poverty affects people’s ability to access health care, housing, food and safe water, education, employment, and their right to vote. This leads to social inequities and a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break unless the root causes of poverty are considered.
In 2021, the City of Delta received funding from Union of BC Municipalities to develop a Delta Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan with concrete actions to address poverty in Delta. 449 residents and community partners have informed the Plan. The strategy was presented to Council on May 16, 2022. Read the Council Report. Key findings from the document were adopted into Delta Social Action Plan 2023-2028.