Pat Malinak recently gave the Polk County Wellness Coalition a presentation on the results of a survey conducted by Western Carolina Community Action (WCCA). The survey focused on&bsp; conditions for low-income and underserved people in PolkCounty.

Here are some of the highlights of the survey answers (the complete survey may be viewed at http://www.wcca.net/SurveySummary_P.pdf):

Buying groceries over the past 18 months has been: &bsp;

– A minor problem to afford: 38.1 percent (111)

– A major problem to afford: 25.8 percent (75)

Over the past 18 months has someone in your household gone without a meal because there was no money for food?

– Yes: 14 percent

76.2 percent of those surveyed had Internet access

37.6 percent missed a rent, mortgage or utility payment in the past 18 months because they did not have enough money.

59.3 percent households faced a financial crisis in the past 18 months.

72.2 percent have not been able to save money in the past 18 months.

51 percent had a member of their household who had been out of work or looking for a job in the past 18 months.

Housing needs:

– Need for housing for families to rent – 50.7 percent (151)

– Need for housing for home ownership – 42.4 percent (123)

– 34.4 percent (101) see a need for housing for senior adults to rent

– Need for housing for disabled and special needs – 38.5 percent (112)

Awareness of resources:

– Somewhat of a problem: 38.0 percent (113)

– Major problem: 28.3 percent (84)

The Polk County Wellness Coalition is a broad-based community partnership working to improve the health and quality of life for people in the community.

WCCA assists low income and underserved people in Henderson,Transylvania and Polk counties in achieving their full potential through quality services and advocacy that demonstrate compassion, respect, and the belief that all people are worthy.