More than 2.6 million people, including 852,000 children live in poverty in New York State, according to a new report issued by the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA). The "2010 New York State Poverty Report" provides data in a comprehensive statewide, county-level and city-level format, offering statistical insight into how poverty in New York State affects education, employment and health, as well as its impact on women and people of color.
"Community Action has championed the war on poverty for decades, but the harsh realities of poverty have remained a constant for many," said Amy Turner, Board President for the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA). "What the 2010 New York State Poverty report reveals is that poverty is truly a statewide concern. The economy is creating extreme challenges for both low-income and middle-income New Yorkers like we have never seen before. New York's 52 Community Action Agencies are working every day with struggling families to help them through these difficult times."
The report is designed to be a resource for community-based organizations, policy makers, advocates, community coalitions, and members of the general public working to address poverty in New York State.
"The recession has hit all New Yorkers hard and while parts of the economy are beginning to recover, we still have more families struggling to keep their heads above water every day," said Denise Harlow, NYSCAA CEO. "The current poverty levels are unacceptable and we know the number of families struggling is even greater, especially when a family of three making more than $18,310 is not considered poor and therefore uncounted in the rates on poverty our report discusses."
New to this year's report are data highlighting the plight of the working poor and families headed by single women. Statistics of note in the report include:
- The State's unemployment rate is 9%, up from less than 7% this time last year
- Nearly 50% of all families in poverty are headed by single women with children
African Americans (1 in 5) and Hispanics (1 in 4) live in poor households at a disproportionally high rate
- 2.6 million individuals under the age of 65 do not have health insurance
The full report is available at the NYSCAA website: http://www.nyscaaonline.org.