This past week, the Census Bureau reported that the poverty rate in America rose to heights not seen in decades. Georgia’s poverty rate of 18.7 percent was higher than the national average of 15.1 percent. What do these figures mean, and what can be done about them?
I work in downtown Atlanta, and perhaps the most visible face of these poverty statistics may be seen among the homeless who crowd around the shelters, the soup kitchens and the service providers. The people waiting in these lines are no longer just men who cannot afford housing. They are joined by women, some with children, who must struggle to secure their daily needs on the streets. Talk to them and to those who serve these poor. You’ll hear the stories of higher numbers of people in need and tough times for the agencies that are trying to help.
But these are only the most visible of the poor; there are many more who have suffered layoffs, evictions or foreclosures, and the loss of health care benefits. These people are forced to crowd together, making do with whatever shelter and part-time jobs can be found. Recent census figures show that across the nation more poor people now live in the suburbs than in central cities (31 percent versus 30 percent). Others suffer the effects of poverty in small towns and rural areas throughout the state.
Poverty is spread throughout Georgia, touching the lives of us all, even if our incomes are above the federal government’s official figure of $22,314 per year for a family of four.
What can be done about the poor?
Many of us recall the time when Atlanta was preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jobs were plentiful, so the unemployment rate for Georgia in 1995 was only 4.4 percent and the poverty rate was much lower than today.
What we need are bold leaders with a vision to launch new initiatives that will increase employment. We need creative partnerships involving businesses, nonprofits and governments at all levels working together to create jobs.
No matter where we live, the poor are our neighbors who need new programs to increase employment and, thereby, reduce poverty.
Harvey K. Newman is professor and chairman of the department of public management and policy at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University.
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