Government Mitigation Efforts

Poverty Efforts Starting from the President…

When President Barack Obama ran for president, urban poverty was a huge problem and focus for his campaign. His administration was committed to “eradicating poverty,” as they pledged, “working together, we can cut poverty in had within 10 years.” Unfortunately, the poverty rates have continued to rise in this country. This is due in large part to the shift in focus on certain issues that seem to get more attention relative to poverty. Nevertheless, the government is working to the address the problem. It is clear, however, that the government is not able to address the problem alone. There is an increase in the need for efforts from private organizations and governments on a state/city level.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/magazine/obama-poverty.html?_r=0

Although poverty rates continue to increase, there have been programs put into effect under the Obama administration. (There is a lot of collaboration with other agencies/governments)

(Source: http://www.recovery.gov/arra/About/Pages/The_Act.aspx)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act– The goals of the act were to create new jobs, preserve existing jobs, increase economic activity which will contribute to long-term growth, and address government spending. With the Act come benefits for numerous families and funding to support programs including unemployment benefits. A major issue that the Act addresses is hunger. Hunger is strongly linked with poverty. Some of the investments to alleviate poverty are listed below:

• The Act includes a $20 billion increase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), funding for food banks, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC.) This program provides federal grants to states so they can provide services for low-income mothers and children who are at nutritional risk. Not only do participants have access to food, but also they are able to have health screenings, nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, health referrals, and other health-related resources. (http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/wic/WIC-Fact-Sheet.pdf)
• Provides economic support for new Stabilization Funds to help uphold ailing neighborhoods; an addition $1.5 billion in Homelessness Prevention Funds is provided by the Act to maintain people in their homes
• $5 billion additional funding is given to the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides services to income-eligible families by reducing their energy bills through energy-efficient measures. Currently, The New York States Weatherization Assistance Program is the largest energy conservation program in the country.
• The Act offers $3.95 billion additional funding for the Workforce Investment system. The system supports job training, jobs for the youth, and other opportunities. By providing job-training funds, the Act increases the likelihood to keep individuals off the streets.
• An increase of $25 per week for Unemployment Insurance; extra financial support to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries; resources for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The TANF program provides temporary cash benefits (welfare) to American families with dependent children with the hope of eventually getting families off the assistance and on their feet, usually though employment.
• Tax breaks are provided through the Make Work Pay and Child Tax Credits (CTC). This program provides millions of families with work, income, educational, and heath benefits. Studies have shown that children in families who are receiving any type of aid from this program are more likely to be successful, in terms of education. “For each $1,000 increase in annual income over two to five years, children’s performance improves on a variety of measures, including academic test scores.” (http://www.cbpp.org/research/eitc-and-child-tax-credit-promote-work-reduce-poverty-and-support-childrens-development)

Expansion of Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)– As of April 16, 2015, President Obama has signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 into law. This legislation expands the Children’s Health Insurance Program for toddlers which basically provides children with low-cost health coverage. This is geared towards families that earn more than the required to qualify for Medicaid. CHIP covers check-ups, immunizations, doctor visits, emergency services, and prescriptions for less than 5% of one’s family’s income. This expansion helps children who are involved in the economic distress experienced by their parents.

Poverty Efforts from De Blasio…

The mayor is attempting to work on the issue of poverty which is addressed in his “One New York” plan…

Main Goal: to take 800,000 people out of poverty by 2025

His plan includes 4 visions:

1- “Our Growing, Thriving City”

Goals include:

• Workforce development- will provide individuals with access to high-quality employment (helping those who are unable to currently enter the workforce and excel economically)
• Creation of high quality housing- By 2040, at least 3.7 million housing units within the city will be needed to accommodate 9 million New Yorkers; addressing the current problem of the short supply of housing
• Infrastructure planning- to provide for New Yorker’s everyday needs

2- “Our Just and Equitable City”

Goals include:

• Lifting New Yorker’s out of poverty and addressing this problem:
  
• Providing New Yorkers with the opportunity to live with security.

3- “A Sustainable City”

Goals include:

• Putting the streets/parks into better use
• Expanding the use of streets to areas such as areas to unite/play

4- “A Resilient City”

Goals include:

• Creation of safer neighborhoods
• Updating the city’s buildings to go against climate change
• Make sure insurance options remain available and affordable for homes located in floodplains

Source: http://www1.nyc.gov/html/onenyc//index.html

De Blasio has also created a “Ten Year, Five Borough Plan” which clearly makes the creation of affordable housing a priority.

However, as with many efforts, there are often problems to overcome…. (shown in the video below)

Previous efforts…

(http://povertyhistory.org/timeline)