A study for the United Way stating that two out of five Langley City seniors live in poverty is disturbing.

The issue of poverty is a persistent one in Langley and throughout the Lower Mainland. Although many people are doing well financially, there are a significant number who are barely making it. High rent is a major factor in the poverty that these people are facing.

Historically, Langley City has had a significant stock of older apartments and housing units available at lower rents, but the City is gradually changing. Older housing units are being torn down and replaced with apartments and townhouses that are geared towards buyers — and buyers with enough money to meet hefty mortgage payments.

As the mix of housing stock changes, less and less housing is available to people on fixed incomes. Seniors on pensions do not get the increases that people who are working do — at least not as often. Those who have limited savings can get sideswiped by a rent increase, and there have been plenty of those in recent years as a result of low vacancy rates.

There is a need for affordable housing for seniors, yet neither the federal nor provincial governments are offering much in the way of housing assistance, although the provincial SAFER program offers some help. There are few incentives to build rental housing, and the many rules that landlords must comply with turn off many potential landlords.

Poverty is about more than housing. Seniors who live in poverty often do not have much of a support network. They may not have many family members nearby, and they may not connect with many people on a regular basis.

Fortunately, there are support networks available here. The Langley Seniors Resource Society is one of the best ones, and it offers a great deal to seniors in the way of activities, companionship and food. Meals on Wheels is an option for people, and many service clubs, churches and other non-profit organizations are ready and willing to help out if they are asked.

In a country as rich as Canada, we should be doing all we can to reduce poverty — and particularly poverty among people who have few options to do something about it. In Langley, we need to be aware of the situation facing many seniors and be prepared to help — and those in need shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, either.

One immediate means of help is through the Salvation Army, 20218 Fraser Highway. But in the long-term, this is an issue that won’t go away and needs resolution.