Poverty in America

DEMOS recently released an eye-opening report titled "Tracking American Poverty & Policy" which highlights the level of poverty in our country. Some startling stats include:

• In 2010, 46.1 million Americans lived in poverty; 75.9 million are in or near poverty and live on less than $26,100 a year for a family of 3; 
• 20.5 million people live in deep poverty, less than $8,700 for a family of 3;
• The largest age group of those living in poverty: Children, age 0-5;
• The largest family structure of those living in poverty: Single female-headed households with children.  

Be sure to read the full report here. 

These statistics seem almost unreal, but here at Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County we know them to be real as we see the face of poverty in our own community. During our recent homeowner application process we talked and met with many many families with total family incomes that fit within these markers.  We met families with children who struggle everyday to make ends meet on very small incomes.

The high costs of rent and traditional mortgages mean that many families are forced to spend a huge percentage of their incomes on housing. Here at Habitat we are committed to working with our partner families and ensuring that they are not paying more than 35% total on housing expenses. To learn more about our work, please visit: www.sbhabitat.org.

photo credit: Kim MacDonald, Habitat for Humanity International