Community News

HIGHER COSTS HURT MOST VULNERABLE

SARAH FERGUSON sferguson@niagarathisweek.com

Christopher Dean had a decent job working as a security guard, a nice two-bedroom apartment, and what he described as a good life until he was 34 years old.

An injury to his spine changed all that.

"I have spinal problems going from my neck to my tailbone, so I haven't been able to work for the last five to six years or so," the Welland resident said.

Now, he lives in a single-bedroom apartment with his partner, Amanda Gibbard, and their 16year-old son.

Both are unable to work for health reasons and on support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), but the amount they get each month doesn't cover both the rent and basic necessities like food.

As the cost of living in Niagara increases, so too does the price for

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2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281479280092533

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