Nearly half of disadvantaged households unable to pay power bills, research finds

New research has found 45 per cent of financially disadvantaged households in the area were unable to pay their bills on time in the past 12 months. Picture by Marina Neil

AS the housing crisis worsens, residents across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are grappling to keep up with utility bills.

New research through the University of Technology Sydney has found 45 per cent of financially disadvantaged households in the area were unable to pay their bills on time in the past 12 months.