America’s Poverty Business Draining Profits from the Poor America’s Poverty Business Draining Profits from the Poor A Collaboration between The Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University and Spy Pond Productions Six half-hour documentary films and a companion web site -- a major research and public engagement campaign to curb predatory practices in low income communities

The Problem: A Pipeline That Drains Money from the Poor Inflow: Hundreds of Billions Spent Yearly Low Income Communities Outflow: Predatory Business Practices

Every year, hundreds of billions of government dollars flow into poor communities to fight poverty In FY 2006: $180.6 billion spent on Medicaid $32.9 billion spent on Food Stamps $37.3 billion spent on SSI $20.5 billion spent on TANF $6.8 billion spent on Head Start Plus billions from foundations, corporations, charities, faith-based groups, and individuals

At the same time, billions of dollars are needlessly flowing out The poor pay, on average: 56% more for an auto loan 26% more for a home mortgage 43% more for a gallon of milk

Where the poor pay more (The sub-prime crisis is the tip of the iceberg) Home Mortgages in general Easy credit/payday loans/check cashing Out-of-country remittances Education loans Food Car loans Insurance Health Rent-to-Own Items

America’s Poverty Business: An Effective Response to a Growing Problem Through bold new research, powerful video documentaries, a companion website, and other media, this project will develop a toolkit to combat predatory practices in poor communities.

New Research: Build on recent studies to further analyze the issues and pursue an agenda for change Media: Compelling personal stories that bring the problems into focus and provide models for action Toolkit: Short video and web-based materials for public presentations and guides for speakers and activists America’s Poverty Business: Project Elements

America’s Poverty Business: Intended Audiences and Users Classrooms (urban studies, public policy, economics, sociology) Community and advocacy groups, town meetings, forums Professionals (legal aid workers, social workers, community organizers) Faith groups Lobbyists/public officials Legislators