No matter what way you measure it, London’s economy is in better shape now than it was a year ago. But the recovery shouldn’t mask the needs of community members struggling to find a job or affordable housing, officials say as the United Way prepares to launch its annual campaign.

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The London economy has come a long way in a year, but that doesn’t means needs in the community have tailed off, says the head of the United Way.

The United Way of London and Middlesex will announce its 2015 campaign goal on Thursday at the annual Harvest Lunch. The money will be used to fund programs at dozens of agencies in the London area.

Last year the Uniway campaign reached its target of $9 million.

Since then, employment, GDP, the housing market and other key economic indicators have improved in London.

But despite the improving economy, it’s not likely the campaign goal will be lower than last year.

United Way CEO Andrew Lockie says the good economic news is welcome.

“Some of the workplaces where we hold campaigns have stability and they are expecting a positive impact this year.”

But this is also the first year the campaign will go without the big cheque from the Kellogg plant that closed last December.

In recent years, the United Way also lost contributions from the Electro-Motive Diesel plant and the Ford St. Thomas Assembly plant, The large unionized workplaces were mainstays of the annual campaign before they closed.

“They were incredible Uniway supporters, and their absence makes the campaign more challenging,” Lockie said.

Though the recession may be over in the London area, it may take longer for some residents to recover, he said.

“The social challenges linger after the economic numbers improve. Getting people’s lives back on track lags behind.”

The raw employment numbers also don’t address the quality of jobs, Lockie said.

New jobs may be lower-paying, part time and more precarious than the jobs lost in the recession, he said, making it harder for workers to come up with contributions to the United Way campaign.

That lag in recovery is also reflected in the social assistance numbers, said Sandra Datars Bere, the city managing director of social services and housing,

The family caseload for the Ontario Works program in August 2014 was 11,180, she said. One year later, the estimated caseload was 11,400.

It will take more time for some recipients in the Ontario Works program to benefit from improving economic conditions, Datars Bere said.

“Although the employment situation is better, there are still people who are living in poverty. People working toward developing skills for employment aren’t necessarily the first ones to get jobs when they become available.”

The waiting list for social housing is 2,400 to 2,500 households, she said

Wait times range from six months to several years depending on whether the client is focused on a particular building or area or willing to take whatever is available, Datars Bere said.

“There are tons of people looking affordable housing options — the working poor, people on social assistance and seniors.”

At the London Food Bank, there does seem to be signs of improvement.

Food bank spokesperson Josh Chadwick said the number of people using the food bank was around 3,400 this time last year and that number has dropped in recent months because of improving economic conditions.

hank.daniszewski@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/HankatLFPress

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WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY

London area GDP growth

2014: 1%

2015: 2.1% (estimated)

Unemployment

August 2014: 7.4%

August 2015: 6.6%

Number employed

August 2014: 245,400

August 2015: 254,500

Real estate sales (year-to-date)

2014 (January to August): 6,102

2015: 6,678

House starts (year-to-date)

2014 (January to August): 1,317

2015: 1,557

United Way campaign goals

2015: announced Thursday

2014: $9 million

2013: $8.9 million

2012: $ 8.75 million

2011: $8.5 million

2010: $8 million

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IF YOU GO

United Way Harvest Lunch

When:Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Budweiser Gardens

Tickets: $10

2015 campaign goal will be announced