This was the findings of a report authored by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA).

The 2008 Report on Waiting List Statistics shows residents living in Peel Region have to wait the longest amount of time for social housing compared to other cities in the province.

Peel's is one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario, fueled in large measure by immigration.

Also, seniors are making up an increasingly higher segment of our population.

Clearly, a 21-year wait is unacceptable.

Regional Chair Emil Kolb is demanding senior levels of government take steps to better integrate newcomers into the Canadian workforce.

"Peel has been growing at a rate ofmore than 34,000 new residents each year," Kolb said in a statement.

"Most of that growth is from immigration and growing numbers of new immigrants are increasingly vulnerable to low income and in need of social housing. We need stronger government support for settlement funding andforeign credentials recognition so these new residents can maintain a decent standard of living in Peel Region."

We couldn't agree more.

Now is the time for Ottawa and the province to start carrying some of the load when it comes to helping newcomers find gainful employment.

Good jobs combat poverty.