The Bottom Line Setting the Real Standard for Bay Area Working Families

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: National Economic Development and Law Center (U.S.); National Economic Development and Law Center (U.S.); National Economic Development and Law Center (U.S.); National Economic Development and Law Center (U.S.)

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

Bay Area families' incomes are simply insufficient to pay for basic household costs for themselves and their children. Where do they turn? Although some low-wage workers do utilize public programs like subsidized food and child care, these programs are structured to be emergency assistance. Other low-wage workers are in the double bind of earning too much to qualify for public assistance, but too little to cover those costs out of pocket. Eligibility for many assistance programs is based on the Federal Poverty Level, which measures only the cost of food multiplied by three. The Federal Poverty Level simply no longer adequately represents the cost of living for today's working parents, who must pay for not only food but also child care, housing, transportation, and health care.

In this report on the San Francisco Bay Area, nine counties are profiled, showing the monthly expenses for families of various sizes and the number of families who are not earning enough to cover these expenses. The report also describes how some local nonprofits are using the Standard to help increase economic self-sufficiency and proven strategies that improve the lives of low-wage workers. The nonprofits highlighted in this report are helping families move toward economic self-sufficiency by challenging some of the complex factors that prevent families from moving out of poverty.