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A Third of Working Families Live in Near-Poverty

Recession has hurt more than just the unemployed

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 21, 2010 7:55 AM CST

(Newser) – Recession lamenters often focus on the unemployed, but the employed are taking a beating, too. Nearly one in three working families in America is now considered low income, meaning they earn less than twice the official poverty threshold, according to a report released today from the Working Poor Families Project. The number has increased in recent years thanks to layoffs and wage cuts, from 28% in 2007 to more than 30% last year.

The downturn has also forced more workers to accept sub-par jobs. “They’re no longer working actively, with a chance to advance and gain more experience and skills,” the report’s co-author tells the Huffington Post. “They’re just putting pieces together to stay afloat, to meet basic needs.” To get an idea what such an existence looks like, read HuffPo's interview with a low-income single mom.

A woman stocks up on food at Sacred Heart Community Center's pantry in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010.
A woman stocks up on food at Sacred Heart Community Center's pantry in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 41 comments
bowlan
Dec 21, 2010 4:26 PM CST
thats no surprise,look around apartment building owners are scelping people with crazy rent prices that people cant even afford yet the gov does nothing about controling that area. the gov wants to controle every part of our lifes,they should start controling these slum loards who scelp working people.most cities people have to make megabucks just to get by.apartments running 1100 a month. who in the hell can afford to live when they make min wage. jobs are gone because of out government laws and those jobs that are left are basicly min wage jobs. so we have to work 3 jobs just to get by.this country is a complete disaster.give me back the good old 70s and 80s at least jobs were available every were in those years. its crazy.
Just_Dave
Dec 21, 2010 2:16 PM CST
Here's how it works for those who seem sssooooooo confused. If you make 100 a month and your bills are 105 a month you need to cut back on your bills. You know, like get rid of the cell phone or cable or quit eating at McDonalds or quick smoking, drinking, doing crack, whatever. Thanks. If you make X a month and can't afford to live then get a room mate, walk or get a part time job at WalMart. Of course you'll have to pass a drug test to get on at Wal Mart.
gilgordan
Dec 21, 2010 12:09 PM CST
We Americans have only just begun the decline in culture, education, and income. It's been coming, but those hustling bravado cons really believe you are in control of your own destiny. The government and educations propaganda has got you by the nads. A majority of Americans are in anyway in control of anything, your rights to hope, opportunity, and freedom have been eroded slowly and methodically by those a lot smarter than : jerrymac, conservative jack, and other like fascists. Poverty is considered a family of 4 earning less than or near $20K annually, taxes bring that lower. They are renters, non savers, non investors, non educated, and just survivors. They are the 'pawns' of feudal times, while you commentators are a middle class somewhere above poverty and below real wealth. Its real wealth that runs the show, and to them the less friction and more obedience from below is demanded. Within the next 10 years the gap between haves and have nots will get bigger absorbing more and more middle income into a poverty level of economic slavery.
US

 
recession • poverty • recession depression • poverty line • working poor

 
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