U nited S ervices C ommunity A ction A gency The Face of Poverty

In the year 2000, 31 million people were poor in the United States… that is, 11.3% of the population Blacks and Hispanics have poverty rates that greatly exceed the average Among black and Hispanic families headed by women, poverty rates approached 35% …Racism’s Impact

“When the economy stumbles, the working poor fall…” “Among the greatest dangers in the recent strategy of doing more to support low- income working families… and less for those without work… is that the employed—but still poor… will become the unemployed and destitute in bad times…” David T. Ellwood The Plight of the Working Poor

For the “working poor” (125% of the poverty level), the percentage of uninsured rose significantly from 1999 to 2000: from 24.7% to 26.9%--that is—3.3 million people “The financial stability of most low-wage working families remains precarious, and much remains to be done to provide real security for those in the lower income tier who follow the rules but often lose out anyway.” David T. Ellwood, The Plight of the Working Poor Among the entire population 18 to 64 years old, workers were more likely to have health insurance (83.8%) than non- workers (76.4%)—however, among the poor, workers were LESS likely to be covered (54.5%) than non-workers (63.4%) Having a job, even a full-time job, does not guarantee an escape from poverty… In 2000, a greater percentage of the poor had a full-time worker in the family than in 1993 (44.5% compared to 36.0%) Working Poor – A Long Way from Self-Sufficiency… …Always Close to the Edge

The uninsured poor comprised 23.8% of all uninsured people in the United States 11.6% of children have no medical insurance 29.5% of low-income people are uninsured 9.2 million of our nation’s poor had no medical insurance in the year 2000 Whites are most likely to be insured: 90.3% Young adults (18 to 24 years old) were less likely than any other age group to have health insurance coverage—(72.7% are uninsured) Among poor children, 21.5% (2.5 million children) had no health insurance during the year 2000 The Uninsured Hispanics are the least likely to have any type of medical insurance: 67.2% Blacks are less likely to have medical insurance: 81.5% At Risk…

I ncome … The Missouri Self-Sufficiency Standard has determined that an average family composition of 4 individuals must have at least $17.39 in hourly wages to be completely self-sufficient The Great Divide Median actual dollar amounts are: Platte, $25.46; Jackson, $19.17; Clay, $22.40 Poverty-level wages for a family of four are $8.46 an hour Dollar amounts represent the hourly wages supporting a family of four $25.46 $19.17 $22.40 $8.46 $17.39

T he U rban C ore… Challenges for Kansas City “What we’re talking about is Relative Deprivation: The Urban Poor are literally surrounded by Suburban Affluence… Imagine living day after day with that reality…then ask why there is more crime, more substance abuse and more anger in the ghettos of the city.” Ronald A. Hardert Urban, Rural and Suburban Poverty… a difference Confronting Social Problems

MissouriKansas City (Jackson Only) Median Income $37,347$32,086 Individuals in Poverty 12%19% Families in Poverty 8%13% Households Receiving Public Assistance 16%23% No Access to a Car 7%17% Paying 30% or more in Rent 38%45% 16 to 19 year old HS Drop-Outs 11%19% The metropolitan poverty rate differs greatly between suburbs and the inner city—The urban core has about twice the rate of poverty than the suburbs… The poverty rate for small towns and the countryside is usually several percentage points lower than the urban rate as well. Urban Reality

Poverty in Jackson County… In the year 2000, 12% of the population was in poverty 16% of the households receive public assistance 19% of all people over the age of 25 have less than a high school diploma Among people 16 to 19 years old, 11% were drop-outs in % do not have access to a car 41% of renters spend 30% or more of their household income on housing 19% of families with a female head-of-household are in poverty 18.4% of children under the age of 18 are in poverty The unemployment rate, as of January 2002, was 4.9%

…Poverty in Clay County In the year 2000, 5.9% of the population was in poverty 8.2% of renters spend 30% or more of their household income on housing 15% of all people over the age of 25 have less than a high school diploma 12.4% of children are enrolled in Medicaid 5% do not have access to a car 3.2% of the households receive public assistance 17% of families with a female head-of-household are in poverty 7.2% of children under the age of 18 are in poverty The unemployment rate, as of January 2002, was 3.3%

In the year 2000, 5.7% of the population was in poverty 6.6% of renters spend 30% or more of their household income on housing 12% of all people over the age of 25 have less than a high school diploma 3.4% do not have access to a car 3% of the households receive public assistance 17.9% of families with a female head-of-household are in poverty 7.3% of children under the age of 18 are in poverty Poverty in Platte County… The unemployment rate, as of January 2002, is 3.4%

“Together we become stronger and smarter than any one of us alone could be… Together we work to push the common enemy, Poverty, from our doorsteps, streets, We must not let our individual work and goals… and neighborhoods… —no matter how significant— obscure the mission we pursue together.” Dr. Zavon Kanion, Board President Tommie Barnett, Executive Director

Referenced Works: Social Problems, D. Stanley Eitzen The Project on Devolution and Urban Change, Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation Census 2000, US Census Bureau Barriers to the Employment of Welfare Recipients, University of Michigan Kansas City Metropolitan Region, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center Median Household Income Data Series, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center The Missouri Self-Sufficiency Standard: Necessary Wages for Essential Needs, Missouri Department of Economic Development Confronting Social Problems, Ronald A. Hardert The Plight of the Working Poor, David T. Ellwood Before and After Reform: How Have Families on Welfare Changed?, Urban Institute

This PowerPoint was made in conjunction with the development of our Strategic Plan and is dedicated to the people who fight poverty daily… The Staff of U nited S ervices C ommunity A ction A gency The Staff of U nited S ervices C ommunity A ction A gency “Helping People. Changing Lives.”