November 14, 2013 Johnson County Poverty Trends

v If poverty was a city….. It would be the 5 th largest city in Johnson County

v If poverty was a city……. It would have been the county’s fastest growing city during the last decade % population increase

v Why poverty matters Poverty has many tangible and intangible costs for a community.  Lower student achievement in schools  Loss of human potential and productivity  Reduction of workforce readiness and economic competitiveness  Increased crime and the rising cost of criminal justice  Higher health insurance premiums and medical costs

v How is poverty defined? Persons in family/household 2013 Poverty Guideline 1$11,490 2$15,510 3$19,530 4$23,550 Each additional personAdd $4,020 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

v How does the poverty threshold compare to what it costs to live in Johnson County? Family SizePoverty Threshold Johnson County Living Wage* 1 adult$11,490$19,460 1 adult, 1 child$15,510$39,982 1 adult, 2 children$19,530$48,686 2 adults, 2 children$23,550$40,429 *Source: Dr. Amy K. Glasmeir and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology www:Livingwage.mit.edu/

v National data trends Significant numbers of people move into poverty throughout their lives. People cycle in and out of poverty over the course of their lives. Most people who become poor do not spend a long time in poverty. The likelihood of becoming poor is higher for blacks, Hispanics, those in households headed by women, and those with lower levels of education. Job losses or pay cuts most often trigger poverty spells. Job gains and pay raises most often lift a household out of poverty. Source: The Urban Institute

v Number of people in KC metro counties below federal poverty level, 2012 Poverty Rate 6.8% 23.4% 8.7% 8.7% 18.9% 6.1%

v Number of people in Johnson County below federal poverty level, 2012 Poverty Rate 3.4% 4.4% 7.1% 6.6% 6.6% 6.8%

v Why poverty in the suburbs is growing Increased poverty in the suburbs is a national trend and a local reality. There are three key reasons.  More people moving to the suburbs for jobs, quality education and safe neighborhoods.  Downward mobility of the middle class over the past decade.  Recession-related fiscal challenges – job loss, unemployment and underemployment, and foreclosure crisis. Source: “The Suburbanization of Poverty: Trends in Metropolitan America, 2000 to 2008.” Brookings Institution, Metropolitan Policy Program

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v Participation Rate in Free and Reduced School Lunch Program Eligibility: Free – 135% poverty. Reduced – 185% poverty.

v Johnson County residents with income below 100% FPL

v Top 10 occupations with highest projected growth KS Region Projections, KS Dept. of Labor

v Safety Net Child Care Job Training Social Security SSI / SSDI Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Tax Credits Unemployment Insurance Vocational Rehabilitation Emergency Aid Housing Nutrition Utility Assistance Child/Adult Abuse Child Welfare Medicaid / Medicare Health Care Mental/Behavioral Health Physical/Developmental Disabilities Substance Abuse Picture UCS logo and contact HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY BASIC NEEDS WORK AND INCOME

v What will it take to reduce poverty?  Maintain Robust Safety Net Unemployment Insurance and other support for workers Public and private aid Support for seniors and disabled  Promote Work and Make it Pay Higher minimum wage Employment benefits (health insurance, paid leave) Earned Income Tax Credit; Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Subsidized job program  Raise Educational Attainment Early childhood learning programs Public education and college aid