The United Way of Peterborough and District has released a comprehensive look at the widening local income gap and the adverse effects that making anything below a living wage has.
Drawing on a number of compiled statistics, the report, titled The Gap, points out that sufficient income is directly related to better health, food security, and adequate and safe housing.
United Way community impact director Betsy Farrar says the report looks at multi-decade income types, and if and how they’re keeping pace with the cost of living.
Farrar says those making less than the identified single-person Living Wage of $20.57 are having a hard time, with little prospect of a turn around anytime soon.
Having this information at hand, says Farrar, helps the United Way identify needs, and inform its annual campaign strategy and fund disbursements to areas where raised funds can do the most good.
The full report can be viewed on the United Way website.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
