Physical Environment

Low income families are twice as likely to live in substandard housing, which puts the healthy development of children at risk.  A growing number of people do not have incomes high enough to pay for basic needs after they have paid for their housing (Almost 25% of tenants in Ontario pay more than 50% of their pre-tax income for rent).  Many people with low incomes cannot affords to keep electrical service or to pay heat costs in the coldest months [20]. 

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20. Ross, D.P., Roberts, P., Income and child Well-being: A New Perspective on the Poverty Debate, Canadian Council on Social Development, 1999, pg. 11

All references for this section