Poverty in the United States
2011
Urban Plunge
Orientation & Poverty in the U.S.Catholic Social Teaching & PovertyBuilding Justice in the CitiesImmersion: Urban PlungeReflection & Analysis: Facultyhttp://www.nd.edu/~uplunge
Outline of Course
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UsZOHb1pJY&feature=related
Poverty in the USA
Aimee Shelide: Institute for Church Life & St. Peter Catholic Worker
Charles Perkins: St. Peter Catholic WorkerPeter Lombardo: Center for the HomelessLaura Covington: Center for the Homeless
Panel: Poverty in South Bend
Current federal poverty line: $10,890 for a single person; for a family of four it is $22,350
In 2010, 46.2 million people (15.1%)Largest state in the Union1 in 5 children (22 %): $500 billion annual cost to the
U.S. economy from childhood povertySouth is the poorest region (16.9%)Employment among young adults ages 16-29 stood at
55.3%, lowest since the end of WWII# of households receiving food stamps swelled to
13.6 million, meaning that nearly 1 in 8 receives gov’t aid
Poverty in the U.S.
What are some of the causes of poverty that you heard? Of the people you will meet?
Share with a Neighbor
Behaviors of the individualAddiction, mental illness
Lack of human & social resourcesFew jobs, lack of childcare
ExploitationPay Day loans, predatory mortgages,
sweatshopsPolitical/Economic Structures
Deindustrialization, taxation patterns
Causes of Poverty
Method established in 60’s to address the “War on Poverty” based on food: historical artifact
Official measure no longer corresponds to reality
Does not get either side of the equation right: how much the poor have or how much they need
A limited view of income by counting cash alone
Ignores expenses like taxes & medical costsOutmoded way by relying on emergency food
costsOnly been adjusted for inflation since ‘63
Poverty Line
Started this year by the federal governmentCounts more in income (food stamps, WIC, tax
credits, housing aid) & more expenses (medical)Shows poverty rising more slowly in the recession
than official data suggestsGov’t help is keeping people out of poverty: EITC,
food stampsSharp rise in “deep poverty”: living on less than half
the $ needed to no longer be poorNew measures show many more people in “near
poverty”: incomes btwn 100-150% of poverty lineWorking poor
New Measure
Extreme poverty = areas where at least 40% of the population lives below the poverty line = Urban Plunge
# of people living in neighborhoods of extreme poverty grew by 1/3 over the past decade
More than 10% of America’s poorResidents more likely to experience
joblessness, poor schools, broken families & high crime
Highest in the metropolitan MidwestNeighborhoods of extreme poverty grew in ¾
of the nation’s largest metropolitan regions
Extreme Poverty
How Catholic social tradition can be integrated on a practical level
Poverty: more than just insufficient incomeBenefits of asset-based approach to poverty
reduction
Rethinking Poverty
How are sites you visit addressing the issue?2 Feet: Charity & JusticeDirect ServiceEducationAdvocacyEmpowerment
Solutions to Poverty
Community OrganizingEducation Reform & OpportunitiesExpanding employment opportunities & fair
wagesImproving support services for women &
childrenRedefining the “poverty line”Creation of affordable housingWorker cooperativesIndividual Development Accounts
Solutions
www.opportunitynation.orgwww.catholiccharitiesusa.orgwww.povertyusa.org
Resources
Sun., Nov. 20th @ 6:30 pmCatholic Social Teaching & PovertyRead Justice in the World link on webpageRemember to register for the course when
you are darting inRight now go meet in your city groups with
your site leaders: rooms posted outside.
Sites Meet & Next Class