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Poverty
Poverty has personal consequences for some faced with simple decisions that many take for granted, such as spending money on food or other necessities.
Why Is This Important?
Lower poverty rates further reduce the overall demand for social services. Poverty impacts entire communities, such as providing health care, shelter or other human services. It can lead to homelessness and personal despair. Children can be deeply affected by poverty, leading to poor nutrition, poor health and poor performance in school. Seniors can experience great difficulty in obtaining health care or medication.
How Is Florida Doing?
According to the most recent available statistics, Florida showed a slight increase in 2008 over the previous year in the number of people living in poverty. Approximately 2.37 million Floridians, or 13.3 percent, are living below the federal poverty level. At the same time, the number of applications for public support has maintained an increase during this decade. More than six million Floridians have sought economic assistance from the state during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Scorecard
What Influences Poverty?
Educational attainment and economic opportunity are key factors influencing poverty, but other factors such as drug and alcohol abuse can also contribute to the problem. Economic downturns can push those with limited means into the poverty category.
What Is the State's Role?
The state helps individuals, especially children and seniors, who are in need of basic necessities. Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits are available for Floridians needing temporary assistance. The state also provides job assistance and access to resources to help those in poverty become self-supporting.
Florida is committed to providing a quality education system that will make citizens more employable throughout their working lives and encouraging a business climate that will generate more jobs.
For More Information
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Contact:
Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research
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(850) 487-1402
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On the Web:
http://www.edr.state.fl.us
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