The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 marked its 60th anniversary this week. The landmark legislation started the war on poverty in the United States and spearheaded education programs such as Head Start, free or low-cost Legal Aid, and health care for the elderly known as Medicare. Resources such as nationwide community action agencies were also born from the Economic Opportunity Act. Their purpose was to help people by addressing the causes and conditions of poverty.

Roger Pavey, president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies, said poverty has been tremendously reduced in most of the United States. But he acknowledges some areas are experiencing it more than others.

"The places where poverty is the most stubborn in the United States are places where people of color live and because poverty is tied to racism. We need to think about how we tell ourselves that everyone in America has an equal opportunity when they're born, but that's just not true and never has been, he said.

Food and housing insecurity and rising healthcare costs continue to force some Americans into poverty. Pavey noted more work needs to be done and to not look at poverty in isolation, but the role it plays within a larger system. According to the report, 'Poverty in the USA - What Have We Learned From the War on Poverty, and Where Do We Go From Here?' 20 million Americans live on less than 12 dollars every day. 5 million are children.

Pavey noted community action has historically had bipartisan support. And the organization is appreciative of its rapport with elected officials without regard to their political party. With November's presidential election less than three months away, Pavey is clear on what he wants the new administration to address.

"Certain things in life should be looked at as a human right. Being able to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Energy costs are increasing, and they're aggressive. Low-income household energy costs would consume more of their household budget than someone who's middle class," Pavey said.

Pavey added that quality life is a human right, and taking steps to address basic needs provides a foundation so that people can attain and build job skills to get out of poverty. The Illinois Department of Commerce site shows the state's Community Action Agencies offer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which assists eligible low-income households pay their heating gas, propane, and electricity bills.

The Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security is tasked with addressing the root causes of economic insecurity, racial disparities, and other contributing social, economic, and cultural factors and plans to reduce deep poverty in the state by 50 percent by 2026.

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.

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.

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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