Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative - Poverty Reduction Strategies

Strategies for Reducing Poverty

What would it take to significantly reduce poverty?

...a very comprehensive solution

Because poverty is a comprehensive problem, it requires a comprehensive solution. The Poverty Reduction Initiative has worked to identify key components which impact the lives of children and families in poverty. The following is a list of actions which we believe can positively reduce the incidence of poverty in our community.

These actions will not simply manage poverty, but reduce it.

Download a June 2011 research on the effectiveness of anti-poverty strategies
in the United States from the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan.

EDUCATION Learning

Comprehensive all day 12 month 0-5 Early Childhood Education (provided to low wage workers)
Comprehensive PreK-16 Education programs
Training for low-income home-owners to acquire maintenance skills and resources
Job Skills training relevant to emerging job market needs
Literacy programs for Children and Adults
Increase access to universities and colleges, extending financial aid
Provide ongoing support services such as in-work training and education programs
Financial Literacy programs in schools and community
Establish a seamless system of high quality training programs available to all people on income support programs
Provide ongoing support services such as in-work training and education programs

WORK Working

Regular scheduled Minimum Wage increases based on COLA
Job creation for local workforce at a Living Wage (full time full year employment should ensure a standard of living above the poverty line)
Development of job opportunities in high density areas within the transportation network
Coordinated, coherent labor matching programs to better connect people who are unemployed (or underemployed) to the needs of employers
Green Community Initiatives
Business incubator for local small business start-ups, including access to start-up capital and mentoring services
Youth Summer Recreation, Arts and Jobs Programs using Youth Development models
Part-Time workers Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Improve access to unionization particularly for workers in small workplaces and precarious forms of work
Support of locally owned businesses by local residents
Hiring of local workforce for local tax supported projects

LIFE Thriving

Reformulate the Poverty threshold computation to include benefits now received and expenses not now included such as transportation costs, child care and health care
Affordable Pre and Postnatal Health access (provided to low wage workers)
Affordable Health, Dental and Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services (provided to low wage workers)
Comprehensive care programs for physically and developmentally disabled
Safe Affordable Child Care (provided to low wage workers)
Community supports for Special Needs Children and Adults (individuals with special needs should be assured a basic income system that ensures a decent standard of living with adequate supports)
Adequate dependent care (provided to low wage workers)
Adequate, Affordable and Fair Housing in all neighborhoods
Comprehensive Emergency Services (Food, Shelter, Clothing etc.) Programs for those in need
Health and Wellness programs and facilities promoting Healthy Active Lifestyles (provided to low wage workers/families)
Access to Legal Aid and community ombudsman
Adequate Public Safety
Prisoner Re-Entry programs that lead to self-sufficiency
In-Home affordable Senior Services
Affordable Senior Care options
Access to banking and/or traditional financial services in all neighborhoods
Individual Development Accounts for low-income individuals
Asset Building for low-income residents
Multi-Lingual Services in all community support and educational programs
Training for low-income home-owners to acquire maintenance skills and resources

Connecting

Comprehensive fully funded 211 Services
County Wide Linked Transportation systems providing access to work, recreation and shopping
Family Planning Services
Family mentoring/coaching in life skills, planning and community services access
Strong Families initiatives; building relationships, role models and parenting skills
Faith and Ethic Based initiatives to promote positive values
Comprehensive youth development model After School programs
Increase Land Bank capability to abate delinquent property taxes, acquire property, bank property and transfer property to non-profit and for-profit developers willing to develop it into affordable housing.
Development of job opportunities in high density areas within the transportation network
Locally grown healthy food markets in communities and neighborhoods
Promote Cooperatives (food, housing, business, other)

Leading

Engagement of local neighborhood and small community organizations in decision making
Forums and Town hall meetings targeted at low income population for input into decisions directly affecting their lives.
Recruitment of low-income individuals into leadership roles in community and government decision making groups
Role modeling and re-counting of success stories by those who have lived in poverty