Nonprofits Unable To Keep Up With Growing Suburban Poverty, New Reports Say

The national recession has had a suffocating impact on the middle class, with high rates of unemployment, home foreclosure and other hardships pushing families into poverty.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports two analyses released this week by the Brookings Institution show suburban poverty has skyrocketed in recent years and the way in which social services are lagging behind this shift.

Historically, government services and nonprofit organizations have targeted their anti-poverty efforts at urban areas where poor residents were more highly concentrated. Suburbs were traditionally areas for the middle and affluent classes and therefore did not require the same amount of social services.

While poverty still remains higher in urban areas overall, Brookings reports suburban poverty has risen at a much higher rate over the last decade.

Their findings in their paper "The Great Recession and Poverty in Metropolitan America" show that more than two-thirds of the 5.5 million people, who have slipped below the poverty line in the last decade, live in the suburbs.

The public policy institute's report, "Strained Suburbs: The Social Service Challenges of Rising Suburban Poverty" took an in-depth look at suburban poverty in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

The report finds that demand for help from suburban nonprofits has risen dramatically. More than 73 percent of nonprofits in the suburbs reported that they are helping more clients than ever before, many of whom have sought help previously.

At the same time, nonprofits are also dealing with the effects of the recession, facing decreased revenue sources from donors, forcing them to scale back the services they are able to provide.

Because of their findings, the Brookings Institution encourages government funding and nonprofit organizations to re-focus their efforts to help this growing population of suburban poor.

Comments

[PatrickforO]

02:36 AM on 10/09/2010

This is a symptom of a larger issue. If we are to manage our workforce for global competitiveness, then we must address the current mismatch in skills between those now unemployed (also called underutilized labor), and the emergent skills demanded by the workforce. It is not only charity institutions that are in danger of overextending. Businesses who need skilled labor cannot meet even existing demand because they cannot find people with the skills they need.

[Marturia]

12:42 AM on 10/09/2010

This article doesn't take into account the high rate of poverty in rural areas. When it comes to allocating funds (grants), rural non-profits are often relegated to 'the back of the bus'. Our state legislators are asking for assistance from the non-profits while at the same time the organizations are frantically trying to survive off of state funding. A never ending cycle.

[VanessaFas]

11:32 PM on 10/08/2010

My neighbors in the suburbs are living in poverty? The ones who laughed at me when I bought a very-used car in 2008? (1997 Chevy, 130,000 miles. Paid cash.) The ones who look at me funny because I stay home with my kids? (And host their kids.) The ones who turn down their nose at me because I shop for all our clothes at thrift stores? (Still look good.) The ones who shook their heads when I had the pool removed from our house? (Pools cost money.) The ones who question why I shop for generic food at the discount supermarket? (Their kids eat over.) The ones who can't believe I don't use a cell phone, a satellite dish, or a DVR? (1998 VCR.) The ones who can't understand why my kid walks to school? (Gas costs money.)

They have credit card balances, car leases, brand new everything, no accountability for anything. They are bankrupting this country. Their foolishness is like The Grasshopper and The Ants. I don't have any reason to feel badly about their stares. I own my cars outright. I have little debt. I don't worry about being poor. I live within my means. I budget to the penny. I shook my head when the For Sale signs went up in my neighborhood. The same ones who looked down on me can't understand why I smile. I'm not living in poverty. I'm living simply. They should try it sometime.

[knightoftheroundtable]

11:47 PM on 10/08/2010

Your well grounded Vanessa, kudos to you.
fanned and faved

[Marturia]

01:24 AM on 10/09/2010

Vanessa, I have been in the same situation. I've never understood why 'living simply', seems so onerous for so many people. Instead of keeping up with the Jones's, they should be keeping up with the Vanessas. People like you have a wealth of experience to share about living within ones means.

Fanned and Faved.

[BlackWidowPilot]

12:28 PM on 10/08/2010

Moderator(s),

you have blocked three of my rebuttals to "silverlincoln" out of hand none of which were in violation of HP Fair Use, yet you allow "Taylor Dirk" below to openly shill for a mortgage company.

Is it too much to ask that you cut the partisanship out of your decisions and just do the right thing?

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[silverlincoln]

11:08 AM on 10/08/2010

How's that hopey changy thing working......not too well. 10.1% unemployment not counting under employed a real rated of 15 to 18%.....there's more on the way....good luck to all....

[Cubanmom]

04:53 PM on 10/08/2010

How old are you, 10? "Hopey changy" you, Conservatives really stick with the talking points don't you? No, intelligent debate, you offer no solutions, just criticize and demean.

FYI: During 1983, Reagan was president, and the U.S. unemployment number was also 10%! Just like Obama's, Reagan's approval number was 41%...... and as you know he was reelected!

WE HAVE HOPE! Hope that our children wont grow up in a Nation where their freedoms are taken away, by the holier-than-thou Koch-TeaParty-GOP. We have HOPE that America's best days are still ahead! That's why ALL the races around the country are ........tight!

CHANGE takes time! But CHANGE IS already happening! First we have Healthcare for ALL Americans; second NO one can be denied healthcare because of a preexisting condition. There is more CHANGE but you wont care.

BTW don't be so sure that America wont reelect the Democrats..... I believe we will!

[silverlincoln]

11:02 PM on 10/08/2010

cubanmon, how old are you. Sure it takes time but you miss a very important point. Reagan did everything right by cutting taxes and regulations so businesses could create jobs. Obama is doing exactly the opposite. I see nothing but NO Change and all we have is hope that the repubs can stop him before he does anymore damage. Big whoop, my insurance premiums just jumped 12% and will increase again....lets see what the waiting list for HC will be in 5 years......good luck......

[Michael McLean]

10:33 AM on 10/08/2010

Lets see, Is the republicans economic plan trickle down economics, or trickle up poverty?

[Toutlaguerre]

10:21 AM on 10/08/2010

The whole world is falling apart at the seams and yet people are still looking to fallible , imperfect human beings for solutions. When will people wake up and realise that there is absolutely nothing that the gov'ts of this world can to to bring a permanent solution to problems we face?? It is only going to get worse and that has nothing to do with democrat or republican rule. Simply shows mankind's inability to rule over each other. Man continues to dominate man to his injury. The only real solution is God's Kingdom, basic and simple truth as taught in the Lord's Prayer. Right now we are heading for a disaster that will be irrecoverable. Please people put your trust in Jehovah's appointed King Jesus Christ of his heavenly govt, no one else can rule in the way of righteousness and bring relief to all the problems that plague mankind.

[land2341]

11:52 AM on 10/09/2010

Who's god? Yours? Mine?? WHo we talking about God, Allah, Buddha? Who chooses?

We are heading for disaster, but throwing religion on to the mess is like putting out a fire with gasoline.

[KarlaElisa]

01:42 PM on 10/09/2010

WTF?

[WOODSTOCKER51]

09:49 AM on 10/08/2010

.........."TIP OF THE ICEBERG"..............JUST WAIT UNTIL THE LOONEY TEABAGGERS GET IN THERE........WE WILL BE IN FULL "NEW WORLD ORDER" WITHIN A MONTH!

.THE U.S. WILL BE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.........WITH A 2 CLASS SYSTEM....AND THE WORD "SERF" WILL REPLACE "EMPLOYEE" ON JOB APPS.............

.SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO TRIED SO HARD TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY FROM WACKOS AND LOONEYS...I GUESS WEALTHY FOLKS MONEY MEANS MORE TO TESBAGGERS ..THEN SAVING OUR OWN COUNTRY.......

[HatingTheGame]

10:49 AM on 10/08/2010

Why are you screaming? We can hear you.

[hitchanvil]

09:43 AM on 10/08/2010

Welfare numbers, Food Stamp numbers and entitlement numbers have been on the rise ever since these programs were introduced. Food Stamp numbers have increased from 30 million to 41.8 million people just since Obama took office. The Democrats controlled Congress for the last two years of the Bush administration and have had control for four years running. The Fair Housing Act by Jimmy Carter eased lending restrictions in the name of making home ownership available to all. Under the watch of Barney Frank Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac collapsed. Don't you liberals understand that everytime you create a give away program you bring more people into the poverty fold? The best thing that could ever happen to this country is for a whole bunch of Democrat politicians standing in the unemployment line. We're going to fix all of that come November 2nd.

[Evil Umpire]

10:50 AM on 10/08/2010

It's like a religion with you people. No amount of rational discussion or evidence or expertise can convince you otherwise.

You call yourself patriots? There's nothing patriotic about your party fanaticism.

You're a bunch of right-wing-jihadists.

[Scott23]

09:18 AM on 10/08/2010

Gee ya think, OMFG we have been raped by the corporate powers and continue to be raped. This is not a depression its population control.

[blue53]

09:12 AM on 10/08/2010

I thought they were our saviors--private--non-profit--tax free.

[Scott23]

09:18 AM on 10/08/2010

I hope nothing but pain for you and your uncaring ilk.

[BlackWidowPilot]

12:19 PM on 10/08/2010

How very "conservative Christian family values" of you, citizen.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[lazercat2008]

09:00 AM on 10/08/2010

Non profits protect people from the destruction of our government safety nets. We pay taxes to support our communities not communities on the other side of the world.

Until the government gets out of nation building and war overseas, don't give a penny to non profits.

The day people go hungry is the day the Revolution by the People begins.

[jeanrenoir]

08:21 AM on 10/08/2010

Yup. Good-bye "American dream." So what do the suburban morons DO in response, they rush to elect yet more Republicans servants of the fat cats who've destroyed them. Apparently, Tea Baggers and the rest really liked the Bush years with negative job growth even BEFORE the meltdown which the Bush era of no regulations gave to the American "little guy" as a farewell present. With an electorate as stupid as ours, where is the hope?

[Sneakers1]

08:41 AM on 10/08/2010

Exactly,
f&fv

[terriblyconfused]

08:47 AM on 10/08/2010

When living in fear, it's much easier to blame the people who are "different" from you. How can you blame the corporation who's spending millions in advertising telling you how great they are, or the bank you trusted with your money? Stop living in fear and start thinking rationally....

[Taylor Dirk]

04:56 AM on 10/08/2010

Mortgage rates are historically low you can easily refinance these days your mortgage to 3%. It is the best way to save money. Search online for "123 Mortgage Refinance" they can do 3% refinance and free analysis of your current mortgage

[tangolas]

12:30 AM on 10/08/2010

"The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Jesus

[KarlaElisa]

01:48 PM on 10/09/2010

sounds nice but I don't see my way clear to waiting for 'justice to be served' in an afterlife. if it's not corrected here, it most likely will not happen.