Brookings: Topics - U.S. Poverty

Spending on Children and the Elderly

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The United States spends 2.4 times as much on the elderly as on children, measured on a per capita basis, with the ratio rising to 7 to 1 if looking just at the federal budget, Julia Isaacs finds. She looks at expenditures on children and the elderly in the United States compared to other countries and, from a life-cycle perspective, asks whether these spending patterns makes sense for the long-term good of our country.

Five Myths About Our Land of Opportunity

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Americans have always believed that their country is unique in providing the opportunity to get ahead. Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill deconstruct five myths about economic mobility in the United States, saying that we need better policies to help create a true opportunity society.

The Financial Crisis and Personal Saving

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The current financial crisis has had a great impact on how Americans are saving. In a presentation for the “National Forum to Encourage Lower-Income Household Savings,” Karen Dynan explained that while aggregate personal saving should be markedly higher than before the crisis, it is difficult to predict the level of saving for lower-income households.

Is America Really an Opportunity Society?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 27, 2009, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

On October 27, Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill discussed their new book, Creating an Opportunity Society, which explores what it will take to help more people achieve the American Dream.

Is the American Dream a Myth?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Despite its status as one of the world’s leading economies, the United States is faced with high poverty rates and less economic opportunity than many other affluent countries. Senior Fellows Isabel Sawhill and Ron Haskins, argue that it will take a combination of personal responsibility along with smarter and better-targeted government policies to make the American Dream a reality for children and families now stuck at the bottom.

The Suburbanization of American Poverty

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The latest data from the Census Bureau reveal that the first year of the Great Recession boosted American poverty, but Sun Belt metro areas and large suburbs bore the brunt of poverty increases in 2008. Elizabeth Kneebone explores recent city and suburban poverty trends in this Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity article.

California’s Work-to-Welfare Policy

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ron Haskins argues that California's recent decision to allow a substantial number of its welfare recipients to avoid work requirements will reverse nearly a decade and a half of hard-won progress against parental idleness and child poverty.

Can Parent Training Reduce Abuse, Enhance Development, and Save Money?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to child maltreatment prevention, the authors examine evaluations of home-visiting programs designed to improve parenting and reduce child maltreatment and how policy makers are using social science evidence to identify and support successful programs.

Social Science Rising: A Tale of Evidence Shaping Policy

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to child maltreatment prevention, the authors examine evaluations of home-visiting programs designed to improve parenting and reduce child maltreatment and how policy makers are using social science evidence to identify and support successful programs.

Step One: Addressing Health Care Costs

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Isabel Sawhill explains why addressing rising health care costs has to be the first step in solving the nation’s long term fiscal problems.

Bad News on Poverty, Worse to Come

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Isabel Sawhill examines the latest poverty statistics, concluding that with the policy community so heavily focused on health care reform, the plight of the least advantaged in our society is getting too little attention.

The 2008 Statistics on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On September 10, the day the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual poverty report, Gary Burtless addressed the seventh annual the Brookings Center on Children and Families briefing and discussed the new figures and their implications for families and policymakers.

Simulating the Effect of the “Great Recession” on Poverty

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Emily Monea and Isabel Sawhill argue that in light of the projected increases in U.S. poverty levels, more attention should be paid to the adequacy of the safety net plus health care, education, job training and other means of insuring that more Americans are able to benefit from the opportunities that a growing economy will eventually provide.

Poverty and Income in 2008: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 10, 2009, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

On September 10, the day the U.S. Census Bureau releases its new report on poverty and family income for 2008, the Brookings Center on Children and Families held its seventh annual briefing to discuss the new figures and their implications for families and policymakers.

Urban Revitalization and Opportunity

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:58:55 GMT

Public housing has long been criticized as a breeding ground for concentrated poverty, under-achieving schools and for its lack of access to services. Bruce Katz says that President Obama's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, an expansion of HOPE VI, will revitalize poor communities while enhancing opportunities for residents and the business community.

A New Goal for America’s High Schools: College Preparation for All

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to high school reforms, Ron Haskins and James Kemple examine the steps high schools should take to help low-income students prepare for and succeed in college. Specifically, they argue, high schools should boost students’ subject matter knowledge and study skills and counsel students on how to select colleges and obtain financial aid.

Wisconsin Poverty Report

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the first Wisconsin Poverty Report, Julia Isaacs and Timothy Smeeding examine poverty in Wisconsin and ask key questions, including: Where is poverty highest? How does Wisconsin poverty compare to that of its neighbors? Where is poverty growing—or receding in the state?

Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit and Banking Among Low-Income Households

Mon, 04 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 04, 2009, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

More low-income families now need assistance on how to find financial vehicles that will allow them to more effectively manage debt, savings and their financial lives. Brookings hosted a discussion on how recommendations from Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit, and Banking among Low-Income Households—a new book edited by Rebecca M. Blank and Michael S. Barr—might be realized in this current economic environment.

Poverty and Economic Stimulus

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rebecca M. Blank And Mark H. Greenberg agree that while in the short run, economic need is rising rapidly and we need to address the short-run problems as well as think about the long-term reforms, and that the parts of the recovery plan that are directed to low-income and unemployed families are good economics and good social policy. They say that it would only be the beginning of any serious effort to deal with poverty in America.

The Suburban Challenge

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

American suburbs today more resemble cities than a treasured retreat from life’s tumult. Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley argue that unless we grabble with the problems and opportunities of the new suburbs, America can’t ensure its leading place in the global economy.

How to Reverse the Trend of Concentrated Poverty

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Alan Berube urges policy-makers to evaluate short-term opportunities and set long-term strategies in order to help Cleveland’s next generation of residents overcome the challenges of concentrated poverty.

Fighting Poverty in the Land of Opportunity

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With unemployment rising, more families feel squeezed this holiday season than ever. Rebecca Blank urges the new president to consider a plan to support low-wage workers, ensure an effective safety net and create opportunities in high-poverty neighborhoods that might guarantee American families more on their tables in the seasons ahead.

Preschool Programs: What Are We Getting? What Should We Expect?

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ron Haskins gave the keynote speech “Intersection of Early Childhood Education, Poverty and Policy” and discussed cost effective early childhood policies that improve outcomes for children at the Early Childhood Public Engagement Summit.

Improving the Measurement of Poverty

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 09, 2008, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

On December 9, The Hamilton Project hosted a policy forum and released a new discussion paper on the need for a new national poverty measure. In their paper, co-authors Rebecca M. Blank of the Brookings Institution and Mark H. Greenberg of Georgetown University propose a new poverty measure that better reflects the actual economic conditions of low-income Americans. Hamilton Project Advisory Council member Roger C. Altman of Evercore Partners gave welcoming remarks and lead the discussion.

Improve the Poverty Measure

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rebecca Blank and Mark Greenberg recommend the adoption of a new poverty measure, along the lines recommended by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), in order to provide a more accurate measure of economic need in the United States.

Confronting Concentrated Poverty in Tough Economic Times

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At a forum hosted by the Federal Reserve Board to discuss a new joint Fed/Brookings report on concentrated poverty in America, Alan Berube discussed the importance of focusing on policies that can help poor people in very poor places, particularly in the context of a severe downturn and in light of the significant stimulus/recovery package being created to boost the economy.

The Scouting Report: Decrease Poverty and Increase Opportunity

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 26, 2008, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Too many Americans leave school with inadequate skills, and too many working families struggle to make ends meet. Greater investments in economic opportunity are needed to reduce poverty and increase future economic mobility for today’s poor children. On Wednesday, November 26, Brookings Senior Fellow Rebecca Blank answered questions during a web chat with Politico about poverty in the United States and creating opportunities for American families.

Memo to the President: Decrease Poverty and Increase Opportunity

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A major economic slowdown adds to the problems of lower-income Americans, who have not shared in the economic growth of the last decade. Greater investments in economic mobility and opportunity are needed. Rebecca Blank offers policy solutions and priorities for the president-elect to make greater investments in economic mobility and opportunity.

Decrease Poverty and Increase Opportunity

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 24, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

A major economic slowdown adds to the problems of lower-income Americans, who have not shared in the economic growth of the last decade. On November 24, Brookings senior fellow Rebecca Blank offered policy solutions and priorities for the president-elect to make greater investments in economic mobility and opportunity.

The Enduring Challenge of Concentrated Poverty in America

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Federal Reserve System and its 12 member banks partnered with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program to produce a new, in-depth look at concentrated poverty in America. The two-year study profiles 16 high-poverty communities across the United States, investigating the historical and contemporary factors associated with their high levels of economic distress.

Poverty Reduction Strategies for the Next Decade

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 29, 2008, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

On September 29, several prominent scholars and policy advocates outlined their key recommendations for improving the quality of life for people at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, including proposals to improve employment and earnings, strengthen families, enhance opportunities for children, and improve neighborhoods. Discussions of the proposals were followed by comments from policy experts.

How Can We Reduce the Rising Number of American Families Living in Poverty?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this testimony, Rebecca Blank argues for the need to modernize our poverty statistics so that we may have a better understanding of who is poor and how these numbers are changing over time. She discusses anti-poverty strategies for the next decade.

Getting More from Low-Income Housing Assistance

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this paper, Edgar Olsen argues that the two most serious structural shortcomings of the current system of low-income housing assistance are (1) its excessive reliance on unit-based assistance and (2) its failure to provide housing assistance to all of the poorest eligible families who ask for help.

Making Work Pay – Again

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ron Haskins offers ways policymakers could create an entitlement to housing assistance that would more fairly distribute housing benefits and convert housing into a more effective element in the nation’s work support system. The goal of reform would be to get the most out of the resources now devoted to housing by providing at least some benefit to all eligible families that want a housing subsidy.

How We Measure Poverty

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. government's method of measuring poverty, established in 1964, is badly outdated and leads to an inaccurate picture of who is, and is not, poor in America. If we want to debate new policies to help the poor, Rebecca Blank argues that we first need a poverty measure that shows us who they really are.

Supporting Young Children and Families: An Investment that Pays

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Julia B. Isaacs details how the growing evidence about the importance of children’s early years is changing public attitudes toward early childhood programs. Adopting a well-designed package of investments in children from birth to five will improve children’s health, school achievement, and opportunities for future economic success.

A Plan for Reducing Poverty

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A host of demographic and economic trends in the United States are making it difficult for the nation to make progress against poverty and income inequality. However, Ron Haskins argues, government policies that raise work levels and provide public benefits to supplement earnings have proven to be effective in fighting poverty among female-headed families. But further progress against poverty and economic inequality seems unlikely unless more poor adults work, reduce the number of births outside marriage, and marry at higher rates.

High Priority Poverty Reduction Strategies for the Next Decade

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The poor in American cut across all groups, but are disproportionately represented by single mothers and their children, by persons of color, by immigrants, by less-skilled individuals, or by those with physical or mental disabilities. Many working poor and near-poor families face problems with low wages or unstable jobs. This paper by Rebecca Blank outlines three strategic areas where policy and research attention should focus over the next decade.

Poverty and Income in 2007: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

August 26, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On August 26, the day the Census poverty report was released, the Brookings Center on Children and Families held its sixth annual briefing to discuss the new figures and their implications for families and policy-makers.

Supporting Young Children and Families: An Investment Strategy That Pays

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Julia Isaacs details the evidence supporting the long-term benefits of investment in early childhood education, along with prenatal care and greater access to health care for very young children in impoverished families. In a new Opportunity 08 paper, she proposes federal policies for the next President that will provide big returns.

Low-Income Families and Communities

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:14:38 GMT

In a new report, Alan Berube and Elizabeth Kneebone explain that following a dramatic decline in concentrated poverty in the 1990s, the number of low-income workers and families living in high-working-poverty neighborhoods rose by a striking 41% in the first half of this decade. Alan Berube says that help for high working-poverty communities will come from stronger national and regional economic growth—plus targeted efforts to protect neighborhoods of choice and connection.

Reversal of Fortune: A New Look at Concentrated Poverty in the 2000s

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After dramatic declines in concentrated poverty in the 1990s, the number of low-income workers and families living in high-working-poverty neighborhoods rose by a striking 41% in the first half of this decade, according to a new report from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. The report's authors draw on data from the IRS to measure the change in rates of “concentrated working poverty” nationally and in many of the largest metropolitan areas across the country.

Why the United States Needs an Improved Measure of Poverty

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rebecca Blank testified before the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the House Committee on Ways and Means on the need for an improved measure of poverty in the United States. She stated that our current poverty line is based on data more than 50 years old and our poverty count does not measure the actual resources that many families have available to them.

How to Improve Poverty Measurement in the United States

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this paper, Rebecca Blank discusses the reasons why the current official U.S. poverty measure is outdated and nonresponsive to many anti-poverty initiatives. The paper ends with four recommended steps that would allow the U.S. to improve its measurement of poverty and economic need.

Healthy Marriage, Strong Families and Child Wellbeing

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 16, 2008, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center and the Center on Children and Families at Brookings Institution are cosponsoring a series of three seminars to share the lessons learned to date from research and the experience of over 300 healthy marriage and relationship programs located across the USA serving diverse populations. In this seminar on May 16, researchers, program administrators and program participants focused on key lessons learned about the economic factors that affect couples' lives.

Helping Disconnected Single Mothers

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are a growing number of low-income single mothers who are long-term welfare recipients or are without steady employment. They tend to face more barriers to stable employment, with less education, younger children, higher rates of mental and physical health problems and substance abuse, and a history of domestic violence. In this brief, Rebecca Blank and Brian Kovak propose a new program to link these mothers to medical and economic support and give them greater assistance in securing employment.

Helping Disconnected and Hard-to-Employ Single Mothers

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 07, 2008, 9:00 AM to 11:15 AM

The Center on Children and Families and the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy held a forum to discuss the policy challenges posed by single mothers who have not been able to find stable employment and who may have used up their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families eligibility or face sanctions. These women head the families that are most vulnerable to the current economic downswing.

Our Unequal Democracy? The Political Causes and Consequences of America’s Growing Income Gap

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 28, 2008, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

In Unequal Democracy: The Political Economy of the New Gilded Age (Princeton University Press and Russell Sage, 2008), political scientist Larry Bartels argues that economic inequality in America is partly a product of our democracy, dominated by partisan ideologies and the interests of the wealthy. William Galston moderated a discussion with Bartels, Thomas Mann and Elisabeth Jacobs.

Pay-Day Lenders, Check Cashing Outlets and Other Alternative Financial Services

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A substantial number of low-income individuals make use of services within the alternative financial sector, particularly pay-day lenders and check cashing outlets. The high cost of these services has led many observers to seek policies that would reduce the use of informal financial services among lower income households. In this paper, Rebecca Blank reviews the reasons why individuals utilize AFS outlets and discusses the policy options that could affect these decisions.

Retooling for Growth in America’s Older Industrial Areas

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 08, 2008, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

On April 8, the American Assembly and the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings held a forum to discuss how the nation’s government, business, civic and community leaders can develop and implement new policies to revitalize older industrial areas. The strategies were based on the findings of the Brookings Institution Press book Retooling for Growth: Building a 21st Century Economy in America’s Older Industrial Areas.

The Costs of Benefit Delivery in the Food Stamp Program

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This study by Brookings expert Julia Isaacs compares the Food Stamp Program with eight other public assistance programs across four measures of program effectiveness—administrative costs, error payments, program access, and benefit targeting.

Commuting to Opportunity: The Working Poor and Commuting in the United States

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A transportation survey conducted to better understand how commuting enhances both physical and economic mobility for a worker, this survey also assesses a workers' ability to find and retain employment.

If the Economy’s So Bad, Why Is the Unemployment Rate So Low?

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Testifying before the Joint Economic Committee, Rebecca Blank argued that the low unemployment rate is misleading when compared to earlier years because the composition of those in the workforce is changing. In fact, she said, the very high rates of long-term unemployment suggest that it might be time to extend Unemployment Insurance benefits beyond the standard 25 weeks.

What Should the Next President Do about Poverty?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 05, 2008, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

How can the next president reduce poverty and increase economic opportunity? This question was the subject of a forum on March 5 sponsored by the Center on Children and Families at Brookings, the Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality at Stanford, and the Spotlight on Poverty Campaign.

Assessing Federal Employment Accessibility Policy: An Analysis of the JARC Program

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, the authors review the past 40 years of federal policy toward transportation mobility for low-income workers, including the most recent Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Getting Ahead or Losing Ground: Economic Mobility in America

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Is America still the land of opportunity and mobility? How much opportunity to get ahead actually exists in America? Brookings scholars Julia Isaacs, Isabel Sawhill and Ron Haskins provide new evidence and summarize research on both the extent of intergenerational mobility in the United States and the factors that influence it.

Economic Mobility

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:44:37 GMT

Economic inequality across American households has been growing for a number of years. Isabel Sawhill, co-director of the Center on Children and Families and co-author of Getting Ahead or Losing Ground: Economic Mobility in America examines how upwardly mobile we really are.

How the Federal Government Can Improve School Financing Systems

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a CCF working paper, Eloise Pasachoff argues that the federal government has an important role to ensure equal educational opportunity for all.

Investing in Early Education: Paths to Improving Children's Success

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While the nation has been struggling to eliminate the education gap, Ron Haskins testifies on ways to improve all preschool education received by poor children.

Public Oversight Roundtable on Eliminating Poverty Among District Residents

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the D.C. City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs, Alice M. Rivlin presents recommendations for reducing poverty in the District. She gives examples of education and training programs that could be funded in the FY2009 budget and reviews longer-term workforce development strategies.

Attacking Poverty and Inequality

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:14:50 GMT

In the late 1990s, Congress and President Clinton collaborated on bi-partisan legislation that led to a substantial decline in child poverty in the United States – especially in African-American communities. Ron Haskins explains that the next president should reinvigorate the fight against poverty through increasing benefits while requiring more personal responsibility.

Employment-Based Tax Credits for Low-Skilled Workers

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

To address a few problems with low-income families, John Karl Scholz proposes a two-part policy designed to increase the return to work. He argues that increasing the return to work for childless low-skilled workers will lower unemployment rates and will improve other social benefits.

A Hand Up: A Strategy to Reward Work, Expand Opportunity, and Reduce Poverty

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Poverty remains a pressing problem in the United States. Many of the 36 million Americans in poverty are working, but full-time work at the minimum wage does not provide enough income to escape poverty. Jason Bordoff, Jason Furman, and Paige Shevlin offer a three-part strategy to reduce poverty and strengthen growth across the income spectrum.

New Hope: Fulfilling America’s Promise to “Make Work Pay”

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hans Bos, Greg J. Duncan, Lisa A. Gennetian and Heather D. Hill make the case for a national program offering the kind of work supports that were part of the New Hope program, a policy experiment that operated for three years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the mid- to late-1990s.

The Frayed American Dream

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A sharp rise in income inequality in the United States has created large gaps between the haves and the have-nots. Based on new Brookings research, most of today’s adults are better off than their own parents were when they were growing up. The converse: one third remains worse off. Many middle-class families are only one earner away from poverty. Isabel Sawhill and Julia Isaacs argue that America could and should do better, through better access to education, including early childhood education.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:16:01 GMT

An internationally-recognized advocate of human rights, peace and justice, the admired spokesman for the people of Tibet, and the 1989 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the 14th Dalai Lama is one of the world's foremost defenders of non-violent methods to achieve social change.

Antipoverty Policies: Incentives and Work Mandates for Young Men

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 20, 2007, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Although the nation is no longer achieving major reductions in poverty as it did during the 1960s, some gains have been made in recent years, especially among single mothers. But more progress is needed in focusing antipoverty efforts on men. Panelists at this event explored two sets of public policies – wage subsidies and work requirements – that hold promise for helping young men increase their employment and earnings.

Modernizing Unemployment Insurance

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Jeff Kling testified that more permanent job loss with large wage losses requires the nation to modernize the unemployment system.

The Future of Children: Fall 2007 : The Next Generation of Antipoverty Policies

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This semiannual journal provides research and analysis to promote effective policies and programs for children. This issue focuses on antipoverty policies.

Fighting Poverty through Incentives and Work Mandates for Young Men

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wage subsidies and work requirements hold the promise of alleviating many social problems, especially poverty. Brookings’s Ron Haskins writes about counteracting the negative behaviors of adolescent boys and young men in a new brief.

New Kids on the Block

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Greg J. Duncan, Jeffrey R. Kling and Lisa Sanbonmatsu (08/14/07)

Welfare to (Non-Traditional) Work?

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Ron Haskins (08/03/07)

Making Markets an Asset for the Poor

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Matt Fellowes examines the higher prices lower-income workers pay for basic necessities--home loans, groceries, and financial services--and outlines a combination of initiatives that can bring down business costs.

Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Early Childbearing

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Melissa S. Kearney and Phillip B. Levine take an analysis of the relationship between rates of socioeconomic disadvantage among women at birth and their subsequent rates of early childbearing.

The Importance of the EITC to Urban Economies

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Though most do not recognize it as an "urban" program, the Earned Income Tax Credit provides significant benefits to families in cities and suburbs, and stimulates local economic activity. In this presentation to Congressional staff organized by Living Cities, Alan Berube examines what Members can do to maximize the benefits of the EITC for lower-income families and communities in their districts.

In Kentucky, Being Poor is Costly

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What do western Louisville and the Appalachian region have in common besides being two of the poorest areas in Kentucky? Not much one would think. And, yet, they each are also among the most expensive places to live in the state.

The High Price of Being Poor in Kentucky

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Kentucky's working families frequently pay a premium for everyday necessities. Lower-income workers there are more likely to pay more for home loans, auto loans, car insurance, basic financial services, and home goods. However, through a combination

The Rise Of the Bottom Fifth: How to Build on the Gains Of Welfare Reform

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Ron Haskins (05/29/07)

Consumed by Capitalism

Thu, 17 May 2007 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 17, 2007, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Political theorist Benjamin R. Barber argues in his new book, Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole (W.W. Norton, 2007), that capitalism has generated a culture that idealizes youth and is obsessed with consumption. This over-commercialization of our culture, Barber contends, poses a serious threat to democracy and civilized society. On May 17, Barber discussed Consumed with Will Wilkinson of the Cato Institute and Brookings senior fellow E.J. Dionne, Jr. Wilkinson is the managing editor of Cato Unbound, which engages experts and the public in contemplating big-picture societal concerns; Dionne has written extensively on civic engagement and civil society.

Borrowing to Get Ahead, and Behind: The Credit Boom and Bust in Lower-Income Markets

Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A new Brookings Institution, Metropolitan Policy Program study finds that the recent subprime implosion is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Americans borrowing more than they can manage. The study, written by Matt Fellowes, relies heavily on previously unavailable data, and finds that about one out of every three lower income borrowers falls behind on bill payments in a typical year, and over one out of every four now pays more than 40 percent of their income every year on debt payments.

Ending Poverty in America: Using Carrots and Sticks

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Ron Haskins and Isabel V. Sawhill (May 2007)

Economic Mobility: Is the American Dream Alive and Well?

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For more than two centuries, economic opportunity and the prospect of upward mobility have formed the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored — inspiring people in distant lands to seek our shores and sustaining the unwavering optimism of Americans at home.

Solutions to Poverty

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Isabel V. Sawhill (April 26, 2007)

Making Markets an Asset for Lower Income, Working Families

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this testimony before the California Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, Matt Fellowes discusses the important opportunity to build wealth among California's lower income working families by expanding access to banking services.

Reducing Poverty in Washington, D.C. and Rebuilding the Middle Class From Within

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In her presentation at the Brookings event on reducing poverty in Washington D.C., Martha Ross discusses how to help the city's low-income residents move into the middle class over the next few years.

Reducing Poverty in the District of Columbia: A Community Discussion

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 26, 2007, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

In recent years, the District of Columbia has enjoyed marked job growth, increases in city revenues and a development boom. Yet too many DC residents have been excluded from this prosperity. The Brookings Greater Washington Research Program released a new report introducing practical strategies for increasing the skills, earnings and employment of the District's low-income residents.

Repairing the Urban Economic Ladder: How Cities Get the Market to Work for the Poor

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In his presentation before Mayor Cicilline's Poverty, Work and Opportunity Task Force, Matt Fellowes discusses what is prompting city innovation to repair the economic ladder and what these cities are doing to boost economic mobility.

Reducing Poverty in Washington, D.C. and Rebuilding the Middle Class from Within

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This paper makes a set of focused recommendations to increase the skills, earnings, and employment of at least 10,500 low-income, less-skilled residents over the next seven years.

Attacking Poverty and Inequality: Reinvigorate the Fight for Greater Opportunity

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Although the nation's poverty rate is higher now than it was in the 1970s, no President since Lyndon Johnson has made fighting poverty a major plank of his campaign or goal of his administration. With large and growing gaps between the rich and the poor, it is now time for presidential campaigns and the next President to focus on poverty and inequality in America.

The Earned Income Tax Credit

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Ron Haskins (2/22/07)

The Geography of U.S. Poverty and its Implications

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Alan Berube's testimony on on economic opportunity and poverty in America before the Committtee on Ways and Means on Income Security and Family Support.

Poverty, Work, and Policy: The United States in Comparative Perspective

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Gary Burtless and Timothy Smeeding (02/13/07)

Alleviating Child Poverty in the Long Run

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Ron Haskins, House Committee on Ways and Means (1/24/07)

Has U.S. Income Inequality Really Increased?

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Gary Burtless (January 11, 2007)

Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Increasing Access to Affordable Mainstream Credit Using Alternative Data

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Report by Alyssa Stewart Lee Brookings 12-18-2006

Two Steps Back: City and Suburban Poverty Trends 1999-2005

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

During the first half of the current decade, the proportion of the U.S. population living below the poverty line rose, albeit with key differences across metropolitan areas. Notably, this report finds that for the first time in 2005 there are more po

Using EITC to Stimulate Local Economies

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Local and regional leaders across the U.S. have come to view the Earned Income Tax Credit as a critical investment in their economies. This paper explores the benefits to families and communities that can result from actions to realize the full potential of the credit.

A Vision for a Healthier D.C .

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In remarks at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the D.C. Primary Care Association, Alice M. Rivlin laid out a vision for a healthier District of Columbia.

The High Cost of Being Poor: Reducing the Costs of Living for Working Families

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation at the National Community Tax Coalition Annual Conference, Matt Fellowes discusses emerging anti-poverty strategies to lower the costs of living.

Health Status and Access to Care Among Low-Income Washington, D.C. Residents

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Low-income residents of Washington, D.C. consistently have worse health outcomes and less access to health care than more affluent residents. This paper, part of the D.C. Primary Care Association's Medical Homes D.C. initiative, is jointly authored b