Latest News on Poverty in Kansas

The Kansas Association of Community Action Programs published their 2012 study on Poverty in Kansas.  You can look at their report here.

Evidence of poverty and its devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities in Kansas is widespread, with different indicators offering perspectives on trends that should alarm us. In 2010, poverty was a national scourge, reaching its highest level since 1993, and more Americans lived in poverty than in the 52 years since the nation began tracking poverty statistics.

Between 2009 and 2010, 20,000 more Kansans fell into poverty with the percentage of those living in poverty increasing to 14.3%.

• The percentage of females in poverty rose to 15%.
• Kansans of color were disproportionately represented among the poor, with 28.6% of African Americans, 29.7% of American Indians, and 25.4% of Latinos living below the official poverty line. 
• Children are especially suffering in the current economic picture on Kansas, where an alarming 23.7% of children under age 18 were poor in 2010; this is up from 18% in 2009, documenting a devastating decline in the fortunes of our state's youngest and most vulnerable.

A national anti-poverty campaign, Half in Ten,is a project of the Center for American Progress Action fund, the Coalition on Human Needs, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.  It is dedicated to building the political and public will to cut the U.S. poverty rate in half in 10 years.

Nationwide, millions of families facing economic hardship and poverty are doing all they can to make ends meet despite today’s challenging economy. Many of the 103 million Americans living on less than $44,700 a year are struggling to pay their rent, keep current with utility payments, cover the cost of health care, and put food on the table. Read about 10 Reasons Why Cutting Poverty is Good for Our Nation.

In Kansas, families are dealing with these challenges and more on a daily basis.  To reduce poverty in Kansas, we need to pursue a comprehensive strategy that creates good jobs, strengthens families, and promotes economic security. This website shows  how Kansas is currently faring in these important categories.