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From HandsNet's WebClipper Digest 9/29/2000 Poverty & Income: NEW CENSUS REPORTS ON POVERTY AND INCOME- The nation's poverty rate dropped from 12.7% in 1998 to 11.8% in 1999 - the lowest rate since 1979. The proportion of the nation's children in poverty was 16.9%; young children living with single mothers had a poverty rate of 50.3%. Declines in poverty were concentrated in metropolitan areas, particularly central cities. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/povty99.html The 1999 median income level for the nation's households rose, in real terms, by 2.7%, to $40,816. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income99.html The Census report demonstrates the power of the beneficial effects of a strong economy and especially of a low unemployment rate, says analysis from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Amidst positive news, some areas of concern emerge. The Census data show that while the number of poor children has fallen in recent years, those who remain poor have, on average, grown poorer, falling farther below the poverty line in 1998 and 1999 than in any year since 1979, the first year for which these data are available. http://www.cbpp.org/9-26-00pov.htm The Children's Defense Fund believes that 12.1 million children in poverty is still too high. The percentage of poor children living in working families continues to rise, up from 61% in 1993 to 77% in 1999. http://www.childrensdefense.org/release000926.htm The continuing decline in the American poverty rate announced this week is cause to celebrate, says National Low Income Housing Coalition. Yet the poverty threshold remains quite low: A family of one adult and two children is no longer considered poor once their income goes over $13,423, nowhere near what a family of three needs to rent a basic two bedroom home. A reduction in the poverty rate, similar to reduced welfare caseloads, does not tell us much... it is the gap between income and costs for basic necessities that tells the true story of family well-being. Reduction of poverty is necessary, but improved housing affordability is a more meaningful measure of progress. http://www.Nlihc.org/current.htm#1 Statistics continue to reveal a wide disparity between rich and poor, says analysis from the Economic Policy Institute. Income growth at the top outpaced growth at the middle and bottom, and increased family work hours had to make up for disappointing real wage growth. http://epinet.org/webfeatures/econindicators/income.htm For More Information Contact: |
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