Poverty Numbers Jump to Record Gains in America

Not particularly surprising, but...

From the AP article by Hope Yen and Liz Sidoti:

"Census figures for 2009 — the recession-ravaged first year of the Democrat's presidency — are to be released in the coming week, and demographers expect grim findings.

"It's unfortunate timing for Obama and his party just seven weeks before important elections when control of Congress is at stake. The anticipated poverty rate increase — from 13.2 percent to about 15 percent — would be another blow to Democrats struggling to persuade voters to keep them in power.

[...]

"Interviews with six demographers who closely track poverty trends found wide consensus that 2009 figures are likely to show a significant rate increase to the range of 14.7 percent to 15 percent.

"Should those estimates hold true, some 45 million people in this country, or more than 1 in 7, were poor last year. It would be the highest single-year increase since the government began calculating poverty figures in 1959. The previous high was in 1980 when the rate jumped 1.3 percentage points to 13 percent during the energy crisis [emphasis mine]."

So there was a jump of 1.3% (from 11.7 to 13) in 1980 during the energy crisis, but now we're getting ready for a possible 1.8% jump from 13.8 to 15%. So poverty is more widespread then during the energy crisis. Hmm. Yet after more than 18 months, Obama and the Dems continue to blame Bush. Funny. And exactly how long ago did Bush have a Republican Congress to work with?

Perhaps these accompanying news stories might add some depth to these numbers (h/t Tom Blumer [below] for first two links).

From myFoxNY: "Homelessness Up 50% In New York City"

"If you think you've been seeing more people sleep on city streets, statistics back up the perception. The homeless population living on New York City streets has gone up 50 percent in the past year, according to city statistics reported by the HellsKitchenLife.com blog.

"The New York City Department of Homeless Services conducts a yearly survey of the streets of the city to count the number of homeless who are not in shelters. The HOPE survey was conducted in January 2010.

"The number of homeless in the borough of Manhattan was up 47 percent in the past year, according to the count. The 2010 count had 1,145 people living in the streets. That is up 368 from 2009."

From blogs.courant.com: "Homelessness among youth up 41 percent in the last two years"

"First Focus and the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth recently released a study that marks 'unprecedented increases' in the number of homeless children and youth nationwide."

And more locally:

From Ashland Daily Tidings: "In Oregon and Douglas County, homeless numbers rise"

"The two of them [Peggy no last name given and companion] are part of a growing homeless population in Douglas County and Oregon. Homelessness is on the rise in both the county and the state, according to the results of an annual statewide count conducted in January.
Results of the count were recently released by Oregon Housing and Community Services. The agency uses the data to bring state funding to programs that help the homeless in the areas needing it most.

"Partnering agencies in all 36 Oregon counties helped tabulate results. UCAN handled the Douglas County count.

"The survey showed 19,207 people were homeless in Oregon in January, up from 17,122 the previous year, according to a Oregon Housing and Community Services news release. In Douglas County, the homeless population increased from 818 people in 2009 to 989 this year. The county's 2008 results tallied 501 homeless people."

From the Mental Health Association of Portland: "Homeless numbers rise in Oregon, according to new report"

"A report released June 9 provides some insight into Oregon’s rising homeless population, and shows that mental illness and substance abuse are significant factors in a problem affecting 19,207 people statewide.

"The report, based on a one-night count by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), also indicates 31 percent of those experiencing homelessness are children. The number of homeless families with children rose 33 percent from 2009.

"OHCS deputy director Rick Crager said unemployment was a primary driver in Oregon’s 'unprecedented' level of homelessness. Mental illness and addiction, however, also play a huge role."

Also check out Tom Blumer's take on the AP article at newsbusters.org.

From Blumer's analysis:

"What's remarkable, though, is how a government report that the media, especially the AP, has traditionally treated as an indicator of society's alleged failure to take care of its neediest --with the blame often directly aimed at Republicans and conservatives -- is now primarily a political problem for the party in power. Yen and Sidoti engage in a presidential pity party, and in the process come off as indifferent about what the numbers, for all their imperfections (and they are substantial), might mean in human terms -- again, something the press normally obsesses over, especially when a Republican or conservative is president. This time, it seems that if Ms. Yen and Ms. Sidoti had their way, this unfortunate information would be held until at least November 3."

Hope & Change...