Poverty in Rochester, NY

Poverty seems to have been swept under the rug this during the 08 election. While the crisis that is befalling the middle class is urgent, so too is the plight of the poor. With our economy in such dire straights the ranks of the poor will only swell. It behooves us to take a look at poverty here at home. While many people look upon our fair city and see the glittering new buildings and the prosperity of one segment of our population, the inner city residential neighborhoods go unseen. Neighborhoods on the North East and North West portion of the city are in ruins. Abandoned houses are everywhere and all the problems that they draw are making many neighborhoods dangerous and nearly unlivable. Rochester NY, the “Flower City” has the 10th highest poverty rate in the nation with nearly 30% of the population living below the poverty line. (2007 statistics) In the US 1 out of 8 people are living in poverty, in NY state the numbers are 1 out of 7, and in the city of Rochester it is a dismal 1 out of 4. (2004 statistics) In a city that brags of being so modern and prosperous this is a shame. Children in our city fare even worse. Among children under the age of 18 in our city 2 of every 5 children live in poverty. We rank as the 11th worst in the nation. Infant mortality rates in certain areas of the city are as bad as in many third world countries. While we can boast of a wonderful health care system in our area, it should be apparent that many of our citizens are unable to get proper care. In the current economic climate we see unemployment growing and the trend is sure to continue. What is a family to do when unemployment benefits run out? The only option is to turn to the Department of Social Services for help. The process is difficult and time consuming but help is available to those with no source of income. What are the circumstances for those who are forced to survive on Public Assistance. A typical family of 3 receives $688 in a cash grant and $463 dollars in Food Stamps. Here is the breakdown of a cash grant for a family of 3. Rent $343 (for an apartment that does not include heat) Heat $54 Basic needs $291 Fair market rent for a two bedroom apartment in our area tops $700 a month, you can barely find a studio apartment in Rochester for the amount allocated to rent in the County’s subsidy to families. The amount considered for basic needs is used to pay rent and to supplement the cost of utilities, leaving little for the necessities of life. Incidentally, the last raise in the amount of the Public Assistance grant was 19 years ago. I did the numbers on an inflation calculator, what cost $400 19 years ago now costs $721, imagine if you will, living on the wages you earned in 1997. Any community is only as prosperous as it’s weakest citizens, what does that say about the Rochester area? It is time for compassionate and caring people to take a stand for the poor. By bringing this out into the open we can work toward a reasonable solution. I encourage people to get involved by writing your County Legislator, the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services and Maggie Brooks, our county executive. If you are interested you are invited to become involved with EMPOWER a local welfare rights group. Meetings are held on the first and third Monday’s at 7:30 pm at Cameron Community Ministry on Cameron Street. The contact number for this group is (585) 254-6650.

<p>Poverty seems to have been swept under the rug this during the 08 election. While the crisis that is befalling the middle class is urgent, so too is the plight of the poor. With our economy in such dire straights the ranks of the poor will only swell. It behooves us to take a look at poverty here at home. </p> <p>While many people look upon our fair city and see the glittering new buildings and the prosperity of one segment of our population, the inner city residential neighborhoods go unseen. Neighborhoods on the North East and North West portion of the city are in ruins. Abandoned houses are everywhere and all the problems that they draw are making many neighborhoods dangerous and nearly unlivable. </p> <p>Rochester NY, the “Flower City” has the 10th highest poverty rate in the nation with nearly 30% of the population living below the poverty line. (2007 statistics) In the US 1 out of 8 people are living in poverty, in NY state the numbers are 1 out of 7, and in the city of Rochester it is a dismal 1 out of 4. (2004 statistics) In a city that brags of being so modern and prosperous this is a shame. </p> <p>Children in our city fare even worse. Among children under the age of 18 in our city 2 of every 5 children live in poverty. We rank as the 11th worst in the nation. Infant mortality rates in certain areas of the city are as bad as in many third world countries. While we can boast of a wonderful health care system in our area, it should be apparent that many of our citizens are unable to get proper care. </p> <p>In the current economic climate we see unemployment growing and the trend is sure to continue. What is a family to do when unemployment benefits run out? The only option is to turn to the Department of Social Services for help. The process is difficult and time consuming but help is available to those with no source of income. What are the circumstances for those who are forced to survive on Public Assistance. </p> <p>A typical family of 3 receives $688 in a cash grant and $463 dollars in Food Stamps. Here is the breakdown of a cash grant for a family of 3. </p> <p>Rent $343 (for an apartment that does not include heat)<br /> Heat $54<br /> Basic needs $291</p> <p>Fair market rent for a two bedroom apartment in our area tops $700 a month, you can barely find a studio apartment in Rochester for the amount allocated to rent in the County’s subsidy to families. The amount considered for basic needs is used to pay rent and to supplement the cost of utilities, leaving little for the necessities of life. Incidentally, the last raise in the amount of the Public Assistance grant was 19 years ago. I did the numbers on an inflation calculator, what cost $400 19 years ago now costs $721, imagine if you will, living on the wages you earned in 1997. </p> <p>Any community is only as prosperous as it’s weakest citizens, what does that say about the Rochester area? It is time for compassionate and caring people to take a stand for the poor. By bringing this out into the open we can work toward a reasonable solution. I encourage people to get involved by writing your County Legislator, the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services and Maggie Brooks, our county executive. If you are interested you are invited to become involved with EMPOWER a local welfare rights group. Meetings are held on the first and third Monday’s at 7:30 pm at Cameron Community Ministry on Cameron Street. The contact number for this group is (585) 254-6650.</p>