January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month and community action agencies across the state are working to change lives for the 5 million Californians who cannot afford the basics.
The poverty rate in the Golden State rose from 11.7% in fall 2021 to 13.2% in the first quarter of 2023.
David Knight, executive director of the California Community Action Program Association, said circumstances have been difficult.
"What we've seen is a tick back up in poverty as both the cost of living has risen, right at the same time that a lot of the resources are starting to shrink back to pre-pandemic levels," Knight explained.
Community action programs use block grants to help people who live at or near the poverty line, which is about $20,000 a year for a single parent and child.
Lawren Ramos, community services program director for the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, said the lack of affordable housing is especially hard for older people on a fixed income.
"We have people who are staying in the shelter who found themselves in a situation where they rented a place for 25 years, and that place sold, and the new owner just raised the rent beyond their level of income," Ramos observed. "They found themselves on the street."
Community action programs in all 58 counties use block grants to fund a range of programs supporting low-income families. The effort began 60 years ago during the Johnson administration's war on poverty.
Biz Steinberg, CEO of the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, sees reason for optimism.
"I wouldn't still be doing this if I didn't see change happening every day," Steinberg noted. "Our little slogan is "Helping People, Changing Lives." And that has never stopped. It is the most challenging work but the most rewarding."
Misty Gattie-Blanco, director of sanctuary and support services for the Fresno Economic Opportunities Coalition, said the agency's board of commissioners voted this week for a pilot program to provide $500 a month to families with children living below the poverty line.
"This guaranteed income could potentially help them from becoming homeless," Gattie-Blanco pointed out. "It could pay for groceries or fuel, to help them focus on their family."
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Poverty-fighting groups in Minnesota are joining the wave of officials reminding low-income households to take advantage of the state's Child Tax Credit, now in its second year, adding a new feature could provide additional flexibility.
The state adopted the credit in 2023 on the heels of Congress' temporary expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit, which helped reduce poverty rates. State leaders are trying to produce similar results here, and last year, nearly 225,000 eligible families claimed the credit.
Angela Bellmont, outreach coordinator for the Children's Defense Fund Minnesota, said this time, there is an option to receive advance payments.
"It really provides some predictable income in any area that they need, such as medical expenses or emergencies," Bellmont explained.
A person choosing the option would receive their full 2024 refund with the credit and three monthly payments spread out later this year. The installments would make up 50% of the filer's 2025 Child Tax Credit refund ahead of next year's tax season. Bellmont stressed the advance payments are optional and noted using it could limit benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Given the tax credit is still relatively new, Bellmont emphasized they are trying to make sure people know about it.
"This tax credit is available for all families with qualifying children, regardless if they bring in enough income to pay an income tax," Bellmont outlined. "We want people to file taxes, even if they haven't in the past."
Households meeting eligibility requirements can receive a credit of up to $1,750 per child. If they are interested in the new advance payments option, the Department of Children, Youth and Families has an online tool to help calculate any impact on SNAP benefits. Minnesota also has more than 200 free tax prep sites around the state to help navigate the details.
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Community action agencies in Massachusetts are asking state lawmakers to boost antipoverty programs as federal aid remains in limbo.
Gov. Maura Healy chose not to fund the agencies' line item in her proposed budget, putting critical services for people coping with food and housing insecurity at risk.
Pam Kuechler, president of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, said a loss of funding would affect food pantries families rely on statewide.
"Things have not gotten better for folks and so we'll have to reduce the number of days," Kuechler projected. "We'll probably have to reduce the amount of food that we're able to distribute."
Kuechler said her agency's food pantry in New Bedford helped nearly 14,000 people last year alone. The agencies are requesting $7.5 million for the more than 600,000 people in Massachusetts they serve.
Community action agencies said programs offering fuel assistance, workforce development and free tax preparation to secure tax credits are more vital than ever. Data show roughly 70,000 children in Massachusetts are living in what's considered "deep poverty," or 50% below the poverty level.
Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett, said with federal aid now uncertain, it is important the agencies get the funding they need.
"This is not just money. People can feel it," DiDomenico emphasized. "This is just something that we have to get done and we have to make sure that we protect."
DiDomenico noted the Legislature's Special Commission on Poverty will release an omnibus bill this session with recommendations on how to address the state's historic wealth gap and better support programs proved to be effective in reducing poverty. He added it includes direct cash assistance, which helps families survive.
Disclosure: The Massachusetts Association for Community Action contributes to our fund for reporting on Housing/Homelessness, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Poverty Issues, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of skyrocketing rental rates by limiting yearly rent increases to 7%. Chris Walker lives in a manufactured home community for seniors just outside of Sequim, Washington and has been organizing for rent stabilization for three years. After her monthly rates started rising sharply, she spoke with other communities and realized she wasn't alone.
"Their lot rents started to increase 30, 40, 50%. It's really disgusting what they've done. We're on fixed incomes," she explained.
Walker said capping rent increases by 7% is helpful, but is only a starting place, since average Social Security benefits increase by less than 3% annually. A new poll shows nearly 70% of Washingtonians support rent stabilization. Two companion bills in the house and senate are working their way quickly through the legislature.
Data show that for every $100 rent increases, homelessness rates go up at least 9%.
Michelle Thomas, director of policy and advocacy with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, said renters across the state are forced to choose between paying their rent increase and paying for their medications, childcare, or heat. She also hears from landlords who see the value of rent stabilization for their communities.
"There are many good landlords who support rent stabilization because they know they don't need to gouge their renters in order to have a sustainable rental property," she continued.
Opponents of rent stabilization worry it would deter development. Thomas said the legislation exempts new construction for 10 years, allowing time for long term development planning. Oregon and California implemented similar rent stabilization policies in 2019.
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