• April 22-24, 2010 - SVDP Midyear Meeting, St. Louis, MO

• September 7-11, 2010 - SVDP National Meeting, New Orleans, LA

 

Poverty News                                                (Back) "News" page       Home "Front" page 

The following compilation is for information purposes only.  

Legislative Information and Status of Bills in Congress

 http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html

 

Library of Congress Roll Call Votes

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/rollcallvotes.html#SENATE

 

US House of Representatives 110th Congress

http://clerk.house.gov/

 Roll Call Votes:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/index.asp

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/index.asp

 

US Senate 110th Congress

http://www.senate.gov/

Roll Call Votes:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_110_2.htm

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_110_1.htm

 

US Senate Roll Call Votes (current and historical):

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

 

Congressional Directory, President of the United States, Agencies (Catholic Charities)

http://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/dbq/officials/

 

Poverty in the United States  

US Census Bureau

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html

 

Federal Regulations

Find, view and comment on regulations for all Federal agencies.

Select “all documents open for comment” button for complete listing.

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main

Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America by 2020 http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com/campaign/about_the_campaign.html

Poverty in America A Threat to the Common Good, Catholic Charities 2006 Policy Paper, http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com/2006_poverty_paper.pdf

 

Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good, Catholic Charities 2007 Policy Paper,

http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=874&srcid=193

Catholic Charities Legislative Action Center http://capwiz.com/catholiccharitiesusa/home/

This webpage links to the daily House and Senate schedule along with other helpful links. 

 

CLASP: "State Governments and the New Commitment to Reduce Poverty in America" http://www.clasp.org/process_search.php?skip=0 

This report (4/08) from the Center for Law and Social Policy provides state-by-state narratives and Charts of state intiatives.

 

By the Numbers

The Catholic Church in the United States (statistics) http://www.usccb.org/comm/statisti.shtml

Catholic Campaign for Human Development Poverty Pulse Survey   (Poverty Facts  http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povfacts.shtml)

2007: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/PovertyPulseVII.pdf finds that Americans think more US poverty would threaten national security (media release http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2007/07-027.shtml) 

2006:  http://www.usccb.org/cchd/PovertyPulse_06.pdf finds that Americans fear poverty will get worse and want it decreased or eliminated (media release http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2006/06-011.shtml )

Food Assistance

April 2009 - USDA Economic Research Service, The Food Assistance Landscape, FY 2008 Annual Report

September 8, 2008 - The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (Dept. of Justice, Peace and Human Development) released an information sheet on commonly asked questions about the Global Food Crisis.

Farm Bill (March 11, 2008 release) http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/action_alert_farm_bill_conferees03-10-08final.pdf

Farm Bill 2007 updates and information http://www.agriculture.senate.gov/

Food Stamp Access In America: A City-By-City Snapshot.  Food Research and Action Center.  October 2007. 

Study looked at Food Stamps in 24 of America's largest urban areas.  According to the findings, "urban Americans are more likely to be poor, to suffer from hunger and food insecurity than other Americans, and to have to pay more for food."  In addition: "In most of the urban areas, at least one child in four lived below the poverty line in 2005, and in combination the 24 were home to more than two and a quarter million poor children."

State of the States: 2007, A Profile of Food & Nutrition Programs across the Nation. Food Research and Action Center.  June 2007.   http://www.frac.org 

The 2006 Annual Report by the USDA's Economic Research Service on Nutrition Assistance Programs is found at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib6-4/  (Economic Information Bulletin No. (EIB-6-4) 6pp, February 2007) Per the report, "Over 60 percent of USDA's annual budget supports 15 domestic food and nutrition assistance programs."

Effect of State Food Stamp and TANF Policies on Food Stamp Program Participation

This study was conducted by The Urban Institute under research agreement number 43-3AEM-3-80085 with the Economic Research Service to look at program participation.  "The effectiveness of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) depends on the extent to which it reaches those who are entitled to benefits. In the mid- to late 1990s, participation fell sharply. In recent years, it rebounded somewhat, reaching 65.1 percent in 2005. Changes in participation patterns can be attributed partly to economic fluctuations, but they were also shaped by the rapidly changing State policy environment. This study combines data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996-2003, with data on State-level food stamp, welfare, minimum wage, and Earned Income Tax Credit policy to investigate the effects of policy on food stamp participation. The findings show strong evidence that some Food Stamp Program policy reforms made after 1999 (such as more lenient vehicle-exemption policies, longer recertification periods, and expanded categorical eligibility) increased food stamp participation. The use of biometric technology, such as fingerprinting, however, lowered participation. The study shows less consistent evidence that more lenient immigrant eligibility rules, simplified reporting, Electronic Benefit Transfers, or outreach spending raised food stamp participation."  Released Tuesday, January 8, 2008.  http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CCR36/

Housing and Homelessness

Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, National Alliance to End Homelessness.

http://naeh.org/section/tools/tenyearplan

Local and State 10 year plans to end homelessness are found at http://naeh.org/section/tools/communityplans

 

What Will it Take to End Homelessness, by Martha Burt, The Urban Institute, Washington, DC, Sept. 2001.

http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/end_homelessness.pdf 

Homeless prevention emphasis.

 

Homeless in America: A Review of the Literature by Heidi Sommer,

Urban Homelessness and Public Policy Solutions Conference, Jan. 22, 2001

http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/events/homeless/NewHomelessnessBook1.pdf

 

The Mortgage Crisis: Economic and Fiscal Implications for Metro Areas:   http://usmayors.org/uscm/news/press_releases/documents/mortgagereport_112707.pdf

This report from the US Council of Mayors and the Council for the New American City was prepared by Global Insight, Nov. 26, 2007.

 

National Data on Homelessness is available at:  http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/data

According to the report recent proposals to expand the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's definition of homeless to include households that are doubled up for economic reasons would increase the current homeless population (744,313 on any given night) by 3.8 million" if the definition were expanded.  http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/general/detail/1779

 

"Affordable Housing Needs Report" prepared in May 2007 for Congress   

http://www.huduser.org/intercept.asp?loc=/Publications/pdf/AffHsgNeeds.pdf     http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/AffHsgNeeds.pdf

According to the report  the percent of Americans identified as experiencing "worst case needs,"  increased to 5.99 million in 2005, a 16 percent increase since 2003. Approximately 77 percent of those households were considered extremely low income (earning 30 percent of area median income). "Worst case needs" are defined as unassisted renters with low incomes who either pay over 50 percent of their income to rent or live in substandard housing.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)

·         Table compares three US Census surveys (American Community, American Housing, Current Population) and provides links to each  http://www.nlihc.org/doc/092906comparison.pdf

·         NLIHC Congressional District Profiles on Housing (Jan. 26, 2007) http://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=3810&id=21

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has an overview of homelessness and poverty in America at http://www.nlchp.org/

·         Key data on homelessness in America http://www.nlchp.org/FA_HAPIA/HomelessPersonsinAmerica.pdf

·         2006 Voter Rights Registration Packet co sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.  It contains a state-by-state chart of homeless peoples’ voting rights as well as steps to take in registering the homeless to vote.  http://www.nlchp.org/FA_CIVILRIGHTS/2006%20Voter%20Rights%20Manual.pdf

Income and Assistance

Federal Reserve Board.  Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). 

http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/oss/oss2/scfindex.html  This is a triennial survey of the balance sheet, pension, income, and other demographic characteristics of US families.

 

Living Wage Calculator and US Department of Labor, State-by-State Minimum Wage

Internal Revenue Service, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Food Stamp Challenge, Can you live on $3.00 per person per day for a week?  Take the challenge!  Can you come up with nutritious meals that fit the budget?

Poverty in the United States

According to government data released August 28, 2007, while the U.S. poverty rate fell slightly for the first time this decade, more people are living without health insurance and the bulk of the nation's poor are children.  In 2006 the poverty was down to 12.3 percent from 12.6 percent a year earlier, according to the Census Bureau's report on Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States.  This totals 36.5 million Americans, who live below the poverty line, which is defined as having an annual income of about $10,000 for an individual or $20,000 for a family of four.  Children make up one-fourth of the total US population and represent 35 percent of those living in poverty. 

Reference: 

1.  DeNavas-Wilt, C, Proctor, BD, Smith, J.  Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2007.

2.  Webster, BH and Bishaw, A.   Income, Earnings, and Poverty Data From the 2006 American Community Survey.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2007. 

3.  More information is available on the US Census Bureau website:  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/news_conferences/010500.html 

 

State Fact Sheets

Economic Research Service State Fact Sheets contain frequently requested data for each state and for the total United States including: current data on population, per-capita income, earnings per job, poverty rates, employment, unemployment, farm and farm-related jobs, farm characteristics, farm financial characteristics, top agricultural commodities, top export commodities, and the top counties in agricultural sales.  (

(2007 data on population is available. Released Friday, March 21, 2008) Information is  based on 2005 poverty data. http://www.ers.usdagov/StateFacts/

---------------

Irons, John.  "Typical Family Sees Income and Earnings Decline."  Sept. 5, 2007.  This income and earnings snapshot is available on the Economics Policy Institute website at http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_snapshots_20070905

----------------

According to US Census data (released August 2006) poverty remains steady; the poor are poorer.  There are 37 million poor in the USA (12.6% of the population), and 16 million (43%) of those who are poor earned less than half of the poverty limit which is identified as “deep poverty.”  For example a family of four in poverty makes $19,971 or less as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.  (Half of this figure is $9,985/year; $192/week; $27.43/day.)  Poverty is defined for a family of three, $15,577; for a family of two, $12,755; and for unrelated individuals, $9,973.  When it comes to deep poverty, the current report is the highest percentage of people in deep poverty recorded since the government started keep track of the numbers in 1975 – in 30 years!  Families in poverty in 2005 totaled 7.7 million.

References: 

1.  DeNavas-Walt, C, Proctor, BD, Lee, CH.  Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2006.

2.  Webster, BH and Bishaw, A.   Income, Earnings, and Poverty Data From the 2005 American Community Survey.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2006. 

See also http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2006/income_poverty_differences.html for a description of both reports above.

 

Working Families in the USA

Economic Policy Institute reports that poverty remains unchanged and inequality rose in 2005.  http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_econindicators_income20060829 

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities uses government data about poverty, wages and salaries, and the number of uninsured as evidence that many middle- and lower-income Americans are not sharing in the gains of the economic recovery.  http://www.cbpp.org/policy-points9-1-06.pdf

 

Child Care Assistance Challenges

Many low-income families are unable to receive the child care help they need.  Among the challenges are meeting income eligibility criteria, long waiting lists and rising co-payments.  The National Women’s Law Center warns that the problem is likely to get worse as new welfare to work requirements imposed by Congress this year creates increases demand for child care assistance, as states are forced to increase the number of welfare recipients participating in work activities. 

·         Center-based care for one child can cost between $3,000 and $13,000 per year depending on geographical location and the age of the child. 

·         States continue under funding programs that help low-income families pay for child care according to the report. 

·         States are significantly behind where they were in both 2005 and 2001 in the area of reimbursement rates for child care providers, and only nine states have adequate reimbursement rates for providers serving low-income clients. 

·         Two-thirds of states increased income eligibility to adjust it to, or surpass inflation between 2005 and 2006. 

The 2006 report, “State Child Care Assistance Policies 2006: Gaps Remain, With New Challenges Ahead” by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) covers 50 states.  http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/StateChildCareAssistancePoliciesReport2006.pdf  

 

Government Food Assistance: FY 2006 Midyear Report

USDA expenditures increased 7 percent (over the first half of FY2005) for 15 food assistance programs totaling $27.7 billion during the first half of fiscal 2006 (October 2005-March 2006).  Five programs account for 96 percent of USDA’s total food assistance expenditures.  The five include:  the Food Stamp Program; the National School Lunch Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the School Breakfast Program; and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The FY 2006 Midyear report uses preliminary data from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to examine trends in the programs at the midpoint of fiscal 2006, and summarizes a number of Economic Research Service research reports on the Food Stamp Program released in recent years that may help inform discussions of the 2007 reauthorization of the farm bill.   See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB6-3/

Report on Concentrated Poverty Across America

In an AP report (1)the Brookings Institute has released a study: "Katrina's Window:  Confronting Concentrated Poverty Across America."  New Orleans ranked second of large cities in the US with areas on concentrated poverty.  The study points out locations in the US where there is concentrated poverty at the core of cities around the United States, and focuses on social and economic costs along with recommendations for positive change. 

References:

Barbassa, Juliana. "Many of Nation's Poor Trapped in  Pockets of Concentrated Poverty." Associated Press 10/12/05.

Berube, Alan and Katz, Bruce.  "Katrina's Window:  Confronting Concentrated Poverty Across America." 

http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20051012_concentratedpoverty.htm  

Immigration

Statement of Most Reverend Thomas Wenski, Bishop of Orlando, Florida before the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Law, Senate Judiciary Committee, September 19, 2007.

 Health Care

SCHIP

Protecting America's Future:  A State-by-State Look at SCHIP & Uninsured Kids.  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  August 8, 2007.

Public Perceptions of SCHIP.  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  http://covertheuninsured.org/research/survey0807/

Uninsured in the United States

The Census Bureau reports that the numbers of uninsured (without health insurance) grew in 2005 by 1.3 million people to 46.6 million.  One in six people have no health insurance.  The proportion and number of uninsured children increased between 2004 and 2005, from 10.8 percent to 11.2 percent reaching a total of 8.3 million, uninsured.

References: 

1.  DeNavas-Walt, C, Proctor, BD, Lee, CH.  Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2006.

2.  Webster, BH and Bishaw, A.   Income, Earnings, and Poverty Data From the 2005 American Community Survey.  US Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.  August 2006.

See also http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2006/income_poverty_differences.html for a description of both reports above.

 

Uninsured Children in the United States

One out of every nine children in the USA in 2005 were uninsured (+9 million uninsured children in America, ages 0-18).  California (1,368,999), Texas (1,366,638), Florida (718,603), New York (441,434), and Illinois (376,332) are the five states with the largest number of uninsured children.  While the highest rates of uninsured children are found in Texas (20.4%), Florida (17.0%), New Mexico (16.7%), Nevada (16.4%), and Montana (16.2%).  Of those children who are uninsured, 88.3% are from families where at least one parent works.  In fact, more than half of all uninsured children live in two-parent families and both parents work.

References: 

1.  Families USA for the Campaign for Children’s Health Care.  No Shelter from the Storm: America’s Uninsured Children.  September 2006.  The full report is found at http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/tools/reports/Uninsured-Kids-report.PDF and for further information go to:  http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/tools/reports/no-shelter-from-the-storm.html

 

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

SCHIP needs to be reauthorized and funding agreed to by the U.S. Congress and the White House before September 30,2007.  This is the expiration date for SCHIP.  Without SCHIP coverage, healthcare for vulnerable children nationwide will be in jeopardy.

Reference:

SCHIP report, "Protecting America's Future: A State-By-State Look at SCHIP & Uninsured Kids," (August 2007) by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation may be downloaded from http://covertheuninsured.org/

 

Restorative Justice

US Census American Community Survey

This is the US Census Bureau's first in-depth look at people in prisons since the 1980 Census.  Press release (Sept. 27, 2007) is found at:  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/010709.html

Criminal Justice System in the United States

The number of persons in the criminal justice system in America is reported at 7 million, or 3.2% of the US adult population (1).  One in every 31 adults were incarcerated or on probation or parole at year end 2004.  (This number does not take into account the families of the incarcerated, victims and victim’s families, or the justice system.  The number of people touched is much larger than most people ever imagine.  See the Position Statement on Restorative Justice for more on this subject.)  Corrections Statistics are found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/correct.htm  An overview is also available on the American Correctional Association website at http://www.aca.org/government/population.asp

The SVDP-USA annual report for 2005 (2) shows that members of the Society from every region in the USA visited the incarcerated.  There were 27,186 prison visits by the Society in the 2005 report.  (Breakdown by Region: Southeast: 1,022, West 4,889, Midwest 2,874, Northeast 3,223, East 8,419, Mideast 1,470, South Central 2,741, North Central 2,548) 

References:

1.  Glaze, LE and Palia, S.  Probation and Parole in the United States, 2004.  Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin.  Nov. 2005.

2.  Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  National Council of the United States Consolidated Annual Report 2005.

3.  http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/tost_6.html#6_a

 Key Tool in the Alleviation of Poverty: Education

Education at a Glance 2005 released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (www.oecd.org)  provides comparable indicators on the performance of educational systems in countries around the world including the USA.  The study "represents the consensus of professional thinking on how to measure the current state of education internationally."  Other nations are posting greater gains that the US in academic achievement and school graduations. 

Surviving a Disaster:  www.72hours.org --Website created by San Francisco's Office of Emergency Services provides information on  how to prepare yourself and your family for survival in the event of a disaster. 

FEMA Guide to Citizen Preparedness, Are You Ready?   

(English) http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf 

(Spanish) http://www.fema.gov/spanish/areyouready/index_spa.shtm

 

USCCB ACTION ALERTS:  MEDICAID    FOOD & NUTRITION (Food Stamps, Food Aid)    DEBT RELIEF     HOUSING    CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Second Chance Act, Streamlined Procedures Act)    IMMIGRATION

The following information on legislation and positions from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).  It is provided for informational purposes.  

 

         i.             MEDICAID: 

URGENT ACTION ALERT (10/25/05) - A joint USCCB -CHA -CCUSA alert  and letter (from July) to urge House Energy and Commerce Committee to preserve health care for the poor by:

1) Opposing cuts in Medicaid funding which could have a negative impact on the poor and vulnerable

2) Opposing changes to Medicaid co-payment or premium requirements which could result in people who rely on Medicaid losing access to or being denied needed health care because of inability to pay.

3) Maintaining a federal standard of core benefits, necessary for the maintenance of good health, to which all Medicaid beneficiaries are entitled. 

 

       ii.            FOOD AND NUTRITION:

State of the States 2006 report (a profile of food and nutrition programs across the nation) by Food Research Action Center (FRAC) http://www.frac.org/Press_Release/03.15.06.html .  The report  is found at http://www.frac.org/State_Of_States/2006/2006_SOS_Report.pdf 

 

In a USDA report released Oct. 27, 2005:  "USDA expenditures for its 15 food assistance programs totaled $25.9 billion during the first half of fiscal 2005 (October 2004-March 2005), an 11-percent increase over the first half of fiscal 2004. Five programs—the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program—accounted for 95 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance.  Spending on each of these five programs grew during the first half of fiscal 2005 relative to the first half of fiscal year 2004, but most of the increase was due to the Food Stamp Program."  http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/eib6-1/

 

      iii.            "The prevalence of food insecurity in the US was 11.9 percent in 2004, up from 11.2 percent in 2003. The prevalence of food insecurity with hunger was 3.9 percent in 2004, up from 3.5 percent in 2003.'  Also noted: " About 20 percent of food-insecure households—3.5 percent of all U.S. households—obtained emergency food from a food pantry at some time during the year."  USDA information on food security in the US is found at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/eib6-1/ and http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/err11/

 

October 19, 2005 Washington Post, "Senate Plan to Cut Food Stamps Dies" -- Per the article "After protests from Agriculture Committee members Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and James M. Talent (R-Mo.), panel Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) dropped more than $500 million in food stamp cuts from a farm and food subsidy measure coming to a committee vote today. The cuts could have meant a loss of benefits for 300,000 working families benefiting from more generous eligibility rules in some states."

FOOD STAMP ACTION ALERT (10/11/05) - From USCCB on urgent action needed.

FOOD STAMP ACTION ALERT (10/4/05) - Oppose Cuts to Food Stamp, Conservation Programs (From USCCB concerning action by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Oct. 6, to cut $3 billion from programs including Food Stamps, agriculture conservation and farm supports.)

USCCB ACTION ALERT (8-3-05) - Protecting Food Stamp Funding and related to this from USCCB is Agriculture 2006 Budget Reconciliation: a Challenge and an Opportunity                     

FOOD STAMP UPDATE (9/15/05) from USCCB: 

     iv.            HOUSING: Affordable Housing Letter and Affordable Housing Fund in Jeopardy (10/21/05)  HR 1461 -The compromise would prohibit non-profit organizations--including religious organizations--that do voter registration from applying for and receiving grants from the Affordable Housing Fund to build or preserve affordable housing.

Affordable Housing Fund (8-3-05) Members of Congress are trying to create an Affordable Housing Fund to provide money to build and restore housing for extremely low and very low income families  

     v.            IMMIGRATION:  USCCB Urges Comprehensive Immigration Reform

USCCB email from Dan Misleh 10/18/05:  

Please contact your Senators to Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Oppose Enforcement-Only Proposals The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding hearings today (October 18th) on immigration reform and could consider comprehensive immigration reform before the end of the year.

 

The U.S. Catholic Bishop's Justice for Immigrants Campaign is actively engaging in this debate and needs your help. Please contact your Senators to Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Oppose Enforcement-Only Proposals.

 

The U.S. bishops are supporting comprehensive immigration reform as embodied in the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 [S-1033, introduced by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and H.R. 2330, introduced by Representatives Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)]

HR4437 seeks to criminalize those who are undocumented and living in the U.S. (estimated at 11 million).  In addition it seeks to punish U.S. citizens and permanent residents who come in contact with them.  This bill has the potential to punish charities that give help to anyone that walks in who may be undocumented.  The position of the USCCB on HR4437, the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005.  Among concerns voiced by Bishop Gerald Barnes USCCB Migration Committee Chair:

More specifically, the application of criminal penalties to individuals, including U.S. citizens, who assist aliens without legal status could jeopardize church programs which provide basic needs and life-saving assistance to these individuals. Current federal law does not require humanitarian groups to ascertain legal status of an individual prior to providing assistance. However, in our view, the provisions in Section 202 of the legislation would place parish, diocesan, and social service program staff at risk of criminal prosecution simply for performing their job. It also could apply to health care personnel or U.S. citizens who provide urgent or life-saving assistance to an undocumented individual.

It is found in its entirety at:  http://www.usccb.org/mrs/hr4437.shtml

Disappointingly, HR4437 passed the House.  It is found at http://thomas.loc.gov/   Since passage in the House, HR4437 was received by the Senate 12/17/05. 

 

    vi.            CRIMINAL JUSTICE:  The Second Chance Act (8-3-05) HR 1704 aims to reduce recidivism rates and the Streamlined Procedures Act (8-3-05) S 1088 would change habeas corpus procedures so those convicted of murder would not be able to (unreasonably) delay their executions. Action Alert (9/7/05) Habeas Corpus.

  vii.            DEBT RELIEF:  USCCB ACTION ALERT (8-19-05) -- Urge US Senators to honor the United States' commitment for debt relief in the 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill

Hurricane Katrina: How to Find a Loved One Online

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

USCCB Statement on Hurricane Katrina

Register for Federal Assistance:  Go to www.fema.gov or contact FEMA at 1/800-621-FEMA or 1/800-621-3362; TTY – 1/800-462-7585.   Federal Emergency Management Agency, disaster aid information online: http://fema.gov/about/process/

American Red Cross:  www.redcross.org/services/disaster 

Locating Loved Ones:   www.katrinalist.net  -- The Katrina People Finder is a worldwide effort organized by information technology specialists and volunteers to combine information from several on line databases (including the American Red Cross) into a single searchable database to help people find one another.  The database contains more than 80,000 names and also provides a means for people to share information by adding to the list.  

Katrina Information Map: www.scipionus.com -- The map is "intended for the use of people affected by Hurricane Katrina who have or are trying to find information about the status of specific locations affected by the storm and its aftermath. "  

Maps of Hurricane Damage: www.kathryncramer.com/photos/new_orleans_flooding/index.html -- Site created to provide "a visual understanding of what was happening to New Orleans."

More Poverty News...

Millenium Development Goals:  The 8-31-05 issue of The Economist magazine (www.economist.com) published the story, "Crunch Time for UN Reform," which provides an update on the status of the Millennium Development Goals.  175 world leaders are scheduled to meet in mid September, and the gathering "was originally to be a five-year review of the 2000 Millennium Summit, the most notable product of which was the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  These include worthy aims such as halving abject poverty and achieving universal primary education by 2015," according to The Economist.  "As desirable as these goals are, there seems little hope of achieving the panoply of policy objectives embedded in the MDGs; the UN itself is already complaining about the lack of progress," reports The Economist.

The US Census report, "Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2004,"issued August 2005 is at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty04.html  Following are highlights of the report.

In the US, the poverty rate increased from 12.5% (2003) to 12.7% (2004)

The number in poverty totaled  37.0 million in 2004 (an increase of 1.1 million).  "This is the fourth consecutive year in which the poverty rate has increased.  Past experience tells us that it is not uncommon to have several years of rising poverty following a recession." (Charles Nelson, news conference on 2004 Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Estimates from the Current Population Survey, Aug. 30, 2005)

The poverty rate for children in 2004 remained unchanged at 17.8%

In 2004, 9.8 % of seniors (65+ years of age) lived in poverty with 11.3% of people 18 to 64 in poverty.

While the number of people with health insurance coverage rose by 2.0 million between 2003 and 2004, the number of people without health insurance coverage also increased (800,000).  the number of people without health insurance coverage:  45.8 million.  15.7% of people have no health insurance coverage.

For a family of four, the average poverty threshold income in 2004 was $19,307. It was $15,067 for a family of three, $12,334 for a family of two and $9,645 for individuals. (p 45)

Neault N, Cook JT, Morris V, Frank DA. "The Real Cost of a Healthy Diet: Healthful Foods Are Out of Reach for Low-Income Families in Boston, Massachusetts.  Report published August 2005, Boston Medical Center Dept. of Pediatrics. The report is available at: http://dcc2.bumc.bu.edu/csnappublic/HealthyDiet_Aug2005.pdf  The community-based food security project at Boston Medical Center compared food costs with benefits from both food stamps and school meals. 

A GAO report on welfare reform to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives has been published (August 2005).  The 47 page report is titled, "HHS Should Exercise Oversight to Help Ensure TANF Work Participation is Measured Consistently across States."   The report may be downloaded from  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-821    The report describes inconsistencies in how states define the 12 categories of work that count toward meeting TANF work participation requirements. 

2005 USCCB Labor Day Statement English 35.40 KB (36,253 bytes) Spanish 36.10 KB (36,964 bytes)

Dan Misleh, Director of Diocesan Relations, USCCB, sends the above 2005 Labor Day Statement from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, bishop of Brooklyn and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Policy.  It is suggested that the statement be shared widely!

US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Social Development and World Peace has released its June 2005 electronic mailing that focus on four key issues: 

1) Ending Use of the Death Penalty

2) Reducing Global Poverty

3) Health Care for All

4) Peace in the Holy Land

Two other efforts also supported by USCCB include Justice for Immigrants and the Campaign Urging U.S. Senators Not to Adopt a Pro-Roe v. Wade Litmus Test for Judicial Nominees.  For more on these and other domestic and international issues go to http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/issuemailing/im605.htm

 

Debt Relief in the News - After months of negotiations, the Group of 8 (US, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, Russia) announced a plan on June 11 to cancel at least $40 billion in debt owed by 18 of the world’s poorest countries.  Benefits noted in the news:

>  Savings of an expected $1.5 billion in annual debt repayment by neediest countries.  As part of the agreement, money saved is to be used for health, education, or the relief of poverty. 

>  All countries must take anticorruption measures

>  A process for grants in the future is being discussed so countries do not re-accumulate unsustainable debts.

>  Advocacy groups and charities are calling for better development assistance, trade reform, increasing international aid to Africa.

>  The G-8 agreed to compensate the World Bank and the African Development Bank for forfeiting interest payments on poor countries’ debt so they have the income to make new loans to other countries. 

Source:  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/06/12/MNG9QD7CI31.DTL

The June 12, 2005 cover of Parade Magazine features, "A New Way To Treat The World," the story of a US Navy ship named Mercy working in conjunction with Project HOPE to help victims of the horrific tsunamis in Southeast Asia.  A sidebar to the story, "One Doctor's Prescription For A Healthier US Foreign Policy" (Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld) recommends that the US not wait for a natural disaster to strike before sending help to areas in need around the world.  The recommendation: 1) Identify areas of the Third World in need of basic medical care, 2) expand US security budget to support the deployment of hospital ships to areas of the world where they are desperately needed, 3) offer military, civilian volunteers, and medical school residents the opportunity to serve on these ships.    The story suggests that readers contact their Congressmen and Senators.  http://archive.parade.com/2005/0612/0612_index.html

June 2005 - The US Census Bureau released July 1, 2004 estimates of the total US  population.  Following are highlights. 

>>  One of every seven people in the US is Hispanic, a number that is predicted to continue to rise with immigration and birthrate surpassing non-Hispanics.  Accounting for one-half of the overall US population growth of 2.9 million between July 2003 and July 2004, the Census Bureau estimates 41.3 million Hispanics in the US with half under the age of 27. 

>>  An estimated 36.3 million people are age 65 and over (12 percent of the total population). 

>>  63 percent (184 million) are "working age adults" in the age range of 18 to 64.  

The news release may be found at http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/005164.html  Census Bureau population estimates are found at http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php  In addition to National estimates, state and county estimates are available available on line at  http://www.census.gov/popest/datasets.html  

A study at the University of Wisconsin by UW-Madison Professor, Julie Poehlmann, provides "the first empirical examination of the attachment relationships of young children whose mothers are in prison, suggests that simple interventions may prevent a downward social spiral for a rapidly growing and vulnerable population."  To find out more go to http://www.news.wisc.edu/11224.html  Findings are published in the journal, Child Development (May/June 2005).

According to a study released May 3, 2005 by the Economic Research Service (USDA), in 2004 just over 1 billion people in 70 low-income countries were food insecure, consuming less than the recommended nutritional requirements.  This was an increase over 2003, which counted more than 830 million in the category.  While food security is projected to improve most significantly in Asia, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean in the next decade, the situation is expected to deteriorate in Sub-Saharan Africa where "deep poverty, political unrest, and the effects of HIV/AIDS" hinder prospects for improvement according to the 60 page report which is found at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/GFA16/

Cover the Uninsured Week is May 1-8, 2005 and more than 1,200 events are planned from coast to coast to encourage Americans to learn about this problem and to speak up on the need to make health care coverage a top priority for all Americans.  A copy of "Characteristics of the Uninsured:  A View from the States," is found online at http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/  There are 45 million uninsured in the USA (21% are children).  According to the website, "State-by-state analysis shows 41% of uninsured adults unable to see a doctor when needed due to cost."

"...(Mayor) Newsom was at the food-cleaning station, rubbing down a homeless man's feet with a rag and chatting him up."  A volunteer said, "I think wanting to change the world is what keeps our energy up here."  Project Homeless Connect provides San Franciscans an opportunity to connect with the homeless.  Organized by Mayor Gavin Newsom's office the volunteer program which began last October with 200 city employees has since gained momentum even drawing people from out of town to help the homeless according to the story, "Volunteers lend the homeless a helping hand," reported in the San Francisco Chronicle (April 22, 2005) http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/04/22/BAG1NCD4RC1.DTL   Information on Project Connect is found at http://www.projecthomelessconnect.com/

Some interesting facts:  "10 million children in the United States -- 1 in 8 -- have had a parent behind bars. Sixty percent of inmates who are parents are in prisons more than 100 miles from home. Most police departments have no policy regarding the children of suspects."  (Reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, April 23, 2005, "Inmates' kids rewrite destiny Balcoa High class tries to break cycle of incarceration" found at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/04/23/BALBOA.TMP )

Poverty in the U.S. through the lens of the health care system was presented by Sister Carol Keehan, R.N., M.S. in

Five summaries on the Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations (USDA-ERS) highlight key findings of the multi-volume Nutrition and Health Outcomes Study. Summaries examine the nutritional and health status of: Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants; school-age children; and older Americans.  (Released Feb. 16, 2005)  Found at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/AIB796/  

Also released Feb. 16, 2005 by USDA-ERS:  "Expenditures for USDA's 15 food assistance programs totaled $46 billion in fiscal 2004 (October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004), marking the second consecutive year in which spending exceeded the previous record high. The fiscal 2004 spending level represented a 10-percent increase from the previous fiscal year, the fourth consecutive year in which total food assistance expenditures increased. Five programs—the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program—accounted for 94 percent of USDA's total expenditures for food assistance. While each of these major programs expanded during fiscal 2004, most of the increase in total food assistance expenditures between fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004 was due to the increase in Food Stamp Program expenditures."  http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr28-6/

Jan. 2005 - January is Poverty in America Awareness Month. For information and details from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/pressrel/paamnew.htm .  CCHD is focusing on community-based programs that work to break the cycle of poverty.  A list of facts on poverty is found at http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povfacts.htm

Dec. 2004 - Just out is "Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. (FANRR19-4) 174 pp, December 2004.  According to a news release issued Dec. 30, "The outcome measures reviewed include food expenditures, household nutrient availability, dietary intake, other measures of nutrition status, food security, birth outcomes, breastfeeding behaviors, immunization rates, use and cost of health care services, and selected nonhealth outcomes, such as academic achievement and school performance (children) and social isolation (elderly). The report is one of four volumes produced by a larger study that includes Volume 1, Research Design; Volume 2, Data Sources; Volume 3, Literature Review; and Volume 4, Executive Summary of the Literature Review. The review examines the research on 15 USDA food assistance and nutrition programs but tends to focus on the largest ones for which more research is available: food stamps, school feeding programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Over half of USDA's budget—$41.6 billion in fiscal year 2003—was devoted to food assistance and nutrition programs that provide low-income families and children with access to a healthy diet."  For more information go to the Economic Research Service USDA website at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr19%2D4/

Nov, 2004 - It is estimated that 11.2% of US Households were food insecure in 2003 (i.e., they did not have access, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members).  For details download the report, "Household Food Security in the United States," at  http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr42/   (Ref: Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. (FANRR42) 69 pp, October 2004)

Oct. 2004 - The USDA-ERS publication, Rural Poverty at a Glance, may be downloaded from the website at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/rdrr100/  The publication provides information on poverty trends and demographic characteristics of the rural poor.  (Ref:  Rural Development Research Report No. (RDRR100) 6 pp, July 2004)

Sept. 30, 2004 - The Townsville Bulletin reported on SVDP Australia's efforts to "draw together candidates for the seat of Herbert this weekend to discuss what should be one of the most important issues on the Australian agenda and which cuts across political ideologies."  According to the article, this public forum is part of the No More Poverty Campaign, an initiative of the Christian Community Services Against Poverty.  In the article, Mike Johnson from the Society is quoted:  "The policies of each and every candidate need to be carefully scrutinised to see if what they are offering brings any real and long-term benefit to those in our society who need help most. Real job prospects, better and increased public housing options, affordable health and community services and childcare access are issues which go to the heart of the battle against poverty."

Sept. 24, 2004 - Good news from USCCB, "WE WON!: CHILD TAX CREDIT UPDATE."  In an email from Dan Misleh, Director of Diocesan Relationships, USCCB:  "A few days ago, we asked you to weigh in with your Senators and members of Congress to urge them to retain language that would expand the refundability of the Child Tax Credit from up to 10% of a taxpayers income above $10,750 to 15% of their income above $10,750, providing a larger child tax credit to many of these families for 2004. That provision was retained and extended through 2010, and passed by both the House and the Senate yesterday.  Thank you for weighing in and contributing to this victory for poor working families. We will continue to try to increase the amount of tax relief."

Sept. 20, 2004 - ACTION ALERT - Child Tax Credit from the USCCB - Dan Misleh, Director of Diocesan Relations, USCCB, says, "Over the years, one of the top priorities of the U.S. bishops has been the refundability of the Child Tax Credit.  As Congress finalizes work this session, we have an opportunity to expand the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.  Last week, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee, wrote to House and Senate leadership urging Congress to keep the increase in the refundable child tax credit as a part of extensions of other tax provisions....do all you can to activate your networks on this important anti-poverty program."

August 26, 2004 - Income, Poverty and Health Insurance in the United States: 2003 (810213 bytes),  This US Census Bureau report shows the official US poverty rate at 12.5 percent, with the "number in poverty" at 35.9 million (page 9).  According to the 2003 figures, an estimated 45 million people are without health insurance coverage (page 17).  

August 26, 2004 - A story in the Cornell Chronicle (vol. 36, no. 2), "CU researcher:  Half of all Americans will use food stamps during adulthood," describes research conducted by Cornell sociologist, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Mark R. Rank, professor of social work at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.  The team studied food stamp use and found "that Americans have a substantial need and use of food stamps, and they suggest a significant risk of food insecurity across the life course" with race and education having dramatic links to food stamp use.  Research was supported by a USDA grant and will be published in the December 2004 issue of Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

July 23, 2004 - The San Francisco Chronicle reports on a new study on the working poor just out called "Coming Up Short: A Comparison of Wages and Work Supports in 10 American Communities," conducted by the Washington, DC based organization, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW).  The report can be downloaded from the WOW website at http://www.wowonline.org  The study looked at 10 communities across the country and found that in New Orleans, the lowest-cost location studied, a family would need an income of $27,660 annually ($13.10 hourly) to survive while in Boston, the highest-cost location, the same family would need to make $59,544 annually ($28.19 hourly).  Note:  More studies related to this subject and covering other areas of the US can be downloaded from the National Economic Development and Law Center website at http://www.nedlc.org/publications.htm  For example in the San Francisco Bay area, a single parent with two children would need to work at least three minimum wage jobs to care for the basic needs of that family reports the San Francisco Chronicle (7/23/04, section B3).

July 2004 - A message from Pope John Paul II to the Vincentian General Assembly is found at http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=57225  The message was addressed to Father Gregory Gay, who was recently elected Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and of the 'Daughters of Charity.  In the papal message Pope John Paul II expressed the importance of exploring "new ways of conveying the liberating message of the Gospel to our suffering brothers and sisters."  He said, "Remember that all apostolic activity draws its efficacy from an intimate personal relationship with Christ.  The more you draw from the well-springs of Christian life and holiness through an ever deeper commitment to personal and liturgical prayer, the more closely you will be conformed to him whom you serve."  The message went on to say, "With hearts open to God's love, you will be able to witness effectively in a world that cries out in hunger for the healing that only God can bring,"

July 16, 2004 - In a report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics the news is that child poverty has risen for the first time in a decade in the US according to a story by ABC12/The Associated Press.  While the overall report on the well being of children was upbeat, the increased numbers of children living in poverty is also revealing.

July 13, 2004 - The State of America's Children 2004 report was released by the Children's Defense Fund.  An article on the release by Common Dreams notes the following:

->One in six children in the United States lives in poverty.

->One in eight (9.3 million) children have no health insurance.

->Three out of five children under six are cared for by someone other than their parents on a regular basis.

->Only 31 percent of fourth graders read at or above grade level.

->An estimated three million children were reported as suspected victims of child abuse and neglect.

->Almost one in ten teens ages 16 to 19 is a school dropout.

->Eight children and teens die from gunfire in the U.S. each day — one child every three hours. "

 

June 2004 - The US Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement titled, Catholics in Political Life, which says, "The separation of church and state does not require division between belief and public action, between moral principles and political choices, but protects the right of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and act on their values in public life."  A US Bishops panel has called for a new kind of politics that focuses on the "common good" in elections.  Information is reported in FamVin.

May 28, 2004 - Ireland On Line reports, "People on lower incomes suffer from poorer physical and mental health, according to a report published today by the Society of St Vincent de Paul."  It further states, "The Society of St Vincent de Paul has called on the Government to recognise that food poverty is a problem and to ensure that nutritious food is more accessible to the socially disadvantaged."  Another report is found on the Irish Politics Website.

 

 March 30, 2004  - New Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk programs have been released by USDA and are  effective July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.  The annually revised income levels apply to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.  For details log onto:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Federal-Register/2004/032904-a.pdf

The US government has published the 2004 federal poverty guidelines (Department of Health and Human Services) in the February 13 issue of the Federal Register.

Following are the 2004 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia  (Poverty guidelines are slightly higher for the states of Alaska and Hawaii.  These guidelines may be found in the Federal Register (2/13/04).)

Size of family unit               Poverty guideline 

1....................................................... $9,310 

2....................................................... 12,490 

3....................................................... 15,670 

4....................................................... 18,850 

5....................................................... 22,030 

6....................................................... 25,210 

7....................................................... 28,390 

8....................................................... 31,570 

For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,180 for each additional member. (The same increment applies to smaller family sizes also, as can be seen in the figures above.)

For further information:  

1.  Federal Register: February 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 30). 

2.  Poverty guidelines Internet site at <http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty .

3.  Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services Program (no-fee or reduced-fee health care services at certain hospitals and other health care facilities, visit the Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery Internet home page site at <http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/dfcr

4.  Percentage multiple of the poverty guidelines to be used on immigration forms such as USCIS Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Internet site at <http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/affsupp.htm

5.  Department of Labor's Lower Living Standard Income Level (an alternative eligibility criterion with the poverty guidelines for certain programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998), visit the Employment and Training Administration's Lower Living Standard Income Level Internet site at <http://wdsc.doleta.gov/llsil

6.  For data on the number of people in poverty since 1959 or about the Census Bureau poverty thresholds, visit the Poverty section of the Census Bureau's Internet site at <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html

HOUSING

A 21 page report titled, "America's Neighbors:  The Affordable Housing Crisis and the People it Affects," by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Feb. 2004 can be accessed at http://www.nlihc.org/research/neighbors.pdf  This NLIHC study quantifies the number of low-income Americans who face serious problems of housing affordability or of inadequate quality housing.

In a report released Dec. 18, 2003 by the US Conference of Mayors 25 large US cities have shown increases in hunger and homelessness.  The 121 page survey can be downloaded and summary information is available on the US Conference of Mayors website, http://usmayors.org/uscm/home.asp .

  

POPE says hunger and poverty cause war

Reuters AlertNet, UK

ROME, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Pope John Paul appealed to governments on Friday to tackle hunger and poverty, saying they were a serious threat to peace

and that ... <http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0557044.htm>