New figures show parts of West Island became wealthier. Do they tell the whole story?

Figures recently released from Statistics Canada show many parts of the West Island grew richer between 2005 and 2015but that doesn't reflect the reality on the ground, says one front-line youth worker.

Municipalities includingBeaconsfield,Baie-d'Urf,Sainte-Anne-de-BellevueandDorvalall saw a jump in the median amount of household income between 2005 and 2015.

The map below shows change in household income between 2005 and 2015 for census tracts in the Montreal metropolitan area.

Census tracts are sub-neighbourhood areas, usually with a population between 2,500 and 8,000 persons.

Click through the map here:

Income distribution isn't equal

The head of a youth outreach organization says the numbers don't reflect what her outreach workers see on the ground.

"That's not what we experience and that's not the reality," said TaniaCharron, executive director ofAJOI. "Because poverty in the West Island is diluted amongst a huge territory and big population."

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AJOI'sstreet workers spend time seeking out and helping youth without stable housing. Over the past ten years, they've assisted33,000 people.

The organization estimates 18 per cent of people under 34 years old are living in conditions of poverty a figure that puts the West Island on par with other Montreal neighbourhoods, includingLachine, Charron says.

The bulk of those homeless people are not living on the street as they might be in Montreal, but rather crashing on their friends' couches or crowding into apartments meant for fewer people.

Because there's no emergency shelter in the West Island,AJOIworkers take anyone in need to shelters inVaudreuilor downtown Montreal.

More wealth means more shame

Charronbelieves the West Island's reputation for being wealthy creates additional stigma for those who live in poverty.

"I would absolutely say that there's an extra shame, living in conditions of poverty in the West Island," she said.

She saidfewer transit options and fewer resources for impoverished people add to the struggle of living on a smaller income.

As well, there's less rental housing available, and the rental housing that exists is often more expensive than in downtown Montreal.