Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

Impact on Toronto:

The recession is forcing more Torontonians to rely on assistance, as Toronto becomes an increasingly more expensive place to live, the income difference between the poor and the rich is expanding. As a result, our city’s middle income neighbourhoods to continue disappear and young people are suffering.

Why it matters:

When there is a large gap between the rich and poor in our community, we are all affected. A large gap can lead to other social problems in our community, like health disparities and crime.

• One-third of Toronto’s young children are living in poverty.
• The average cost of basic nutritious food for a family of four is $590/month, up 9.4% from 2006.
• This same family would need to spend 33% of its income on food and 72% on rent – more than they have.
• In 1970, 66% of Toronto neighbourhoods were middle-income; in 2005, it dropped to 29%. Projections for 2025 erode them to 20%.