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1
Step Up Savannah
Poverty is a business issue as much as it is a human issue…”
– Eric R. Winger, President of Savannah Economic Development Authority and
Step Up Leadership Board Member
Step Up Savannah’s Poverty Reduction Initiative
www.stepupsavannah.org
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Poverty Statistics
• In U.S. 15-17% live < Federal Poverty Level
• 2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines: Family of 4 earns $21,200/year or below
• Savannah 2000 Census: 22% in Poverty • Savannah has 5 Census Tracts >50% Poverty
• 2002 Self-Sufficiency for Family of 4 in Chatham County, Georgia = $36,400
• 22% of adults in Georgia are uninsured • 24% of Savannah adults do not have H.S.• Federal Food Assistance: Family of 4 earns $26,856/year or less to qualify
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Step Up with Work Supports
Savannah’s Economy
Work Supports Support…• Employees• Business• Local Economy
Business Employees
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Evolution of Work
• Phase I – Horizontal Work with Pilot Employers linking multiple benefits to business objectives
• Phase II – Vertical Choose largest areas of impact , ie childcare facility, advance tax loan, and develop fix
• Phase III - Sustainability
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Federally Funded Work Supports
Tier 1:Food Stamps, EITC, Peach Care Health Insurance for Children
Tier 2:Financial Education, Banking the Unbanked, Transportation Incentives, Dependent Care,
Alternative Loan Products
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Pilot BusinessesHospitals: St. Joseph’s/Candler
Memorial Health
Hospitality: Westin
Hyatt
Government: City
County
Warehousing: IKEA
Dollar Tree
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Estimated Cash Return to Employee
Per Month Per Year
Food Stamps $125 $1,500
EITC $125 $1,500
Peach Care $100 $1,200
Pay Access/Direct Deposit
$ 67 $ 800
Transportation Passes $100 $1,200
TOTAL $517/month $6,200/year
● Assume $25K yearly salary
● $6,200 = +25% in disposable income
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Demographics of Pre-Intervention Participants
# %
Gender Male 365 49% Female 369 50% No Response 4 1% Total 738 -
Marital Status Single 329 45% Married 292 40% Divorced 57 8% Separated 28 4% Widowed 15 2% No Response 17 2%
Education Some High School 103 14% High School 362 49% Community College 101 14% College 164 22% Not Available 8 1%
Household Characteristics – Pre-Intervention Participants
All Surveyed Participants AverageNumber in Household 2.9
Age of Youngest Child 8.9Yearly Household Income $34,465
Years with Employer 7.2
Average HH Income
Total Surveyed 738 $34,465Screened for Eligibility
653
Total Ineligible 309Total Eligible 344Eligible - FS Only 82 $17,057Eligible –PC Only 128 $33,476Eligible for Both 126 $21,406Not Coded 8
Surveyed/Eligible/Household Income: July 2008
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End of Month Family Finances
End of Month Family Finances Number Percent
Some money left over. 178 27%
Just enough money to make ends meet. 272 41%
Not enough money to make ends meet. 218 33%
Number of Responses 668 -
Absences From Work in Past 3 MonthsAbsences because of Transportation Problems
Number PercentTotal Absences 426 Car Unavailable 45 11% Car Not Working 124 29% Bus Did Not Come 18 4% Ride Did Not Come 32 8% Other 37 9% Reason Not Specified 170 40%
Absences because of Childcare IssuesNumber Percent
Total Absences 335 Child sick and could not go to childcare 195 58% Childcare provider not available 29 9% Other 22 7% Reason Not Specified 89 27%
SURVEY RESULTS July 2008
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BUSINESS INTERVIEWS
• Transportation and Child Care = Top Barriers to retaining Lower Wage Workers
• Using Existing Banking Relationships with Payroll Bankers and/or Credit Unions facilitates financial offerings more quickly. This extends to EAP.
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Highlights of Learnings
• Employers had no idea employees were going without food or choosing between food and utilities
• Reading skills are limiting• Even when Dependent Health Insurance is offered, 58% surveyed do not have health insurance for their children
• Even after benefits’ eligibility has been determined, ½ the eligible pool do not apply , 1/3 are unreachable.
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Direct Deposit at Employers
• Piloted Bank Account Opening at 2008 Tax Prep Sites (35% of returns in 5 wks)
• Bundled Direct Deposit with Emergency Preparedness at Public Sector Employers
• Used Payroll Banker relationship to re-emphasize Direct Deposit at New Hire Orientation/Benefits Sign Up
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REFUND ANTICIPATION TAX LOAN
• Savings Account is Vehicle for Refund Deposit. Opened at tax sites.
• Tax Loan floats refund $ for approx. 7-10 an average of $25 of interest on a $2500. Refund available in 24-48 hrs.
• Pilot: 9 Days, 71 Loans, $230K of Loans
• $535/savings per person• 70% of accounts remain open
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Financial Education
• Linked Energy Assistance Dollars with Basic Budgeting
• Offered Home Buying Workshop at Higher Paying Employer
• Modeling Financial Education series with Westin for hospitality employees: Budgeting, Credit Report/Repair, One on One Coaching, Predatory Lending
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DOWNTOWN CHILDCARE FACILITY
• Focus on supporting Shift workers• Hyatt championing effort• Budget and Start Up Costs determined
• Platform = Retention and Early Education and Quality Childcare
• Possible link with Savannah Rotaries’ Interest in Early Childhood Education
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Public Benefits
• Easy access to public benefits – Partnered with Dept Family & Children’s Services for On-Line App
• Ten employers offer screening for food stamps and children’s health insurance at new hire benefits sign up
• Ford Consultant working w/Step Up & DFCS on increasing # applications filed, reducing barriers
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NEXT Steps (1)
• Open Downtown Childcare Center for Shift Workers
• Increase access to Food Stamps & Children’s Health Insurance through Policy Change
• Conduct financial education classes including class/coaching combinations
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NEXT Steps( 2)
• Link employers with Bank On Savannah campaign
• Present inaugural Step Up Workplace Innovator Awards:Oct 2009 Annual Mtg
• Hold best practices forum with employers focused on lower wage workers
