State of Poverty 2016
From Hawaii Appleseed Center, April, 2016
In April 2016, the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice released a report entitled “The State of Poverty in Hawai‘i: How Hawai‘i’s Residents Are Faring Post-Recovery.” The report brings together the most recent available data to provide a snapshot of how low-income residents have fared after the economic recovery.
While some indicators have improved, families continue to struggle. Hawai‘i has the highest cost of living but the lowest wages in the country when adjusted for the amount of money it takes for a family to get by in Hawai‘i:
Poverty: Hawai‘i has the 6th highest rate of poverty in the country under the Supplemental Poverty Measure, which factors in both the cost of living and available government assistance. Rates of children in poverty have yet to return to pre-recession levels.
Tax burden: Nationally, Hawai‘i has not only the 2nd highest effective tax rate on low-income households, but also levies the 2nd highest income tax burden on families in poverty.
Housing: Hawai‘i faces both the highest cost of housing and rate of homelessness in the states.
Hunger: 1 in 8 residents faces food insecurity, forcing families to make difficult tradeoffs.
Education: 52% of public school students are economically disadvantaged, which diminishes students’ educational achievement, even if they receive high-quality educational services.
Key recommendations in the report include boosting income and reducing the state tax burden on working families through policies such as a continuing to raise the minimum wage, a state earned income tax credit, and an improved low-income household renters’ credit.
Also highlighted are innovative housing policies, including shallow rental subsidies, more funding for affordable homes, expansion of Housing First, and inclusionary zoning.
To reduce hunger and help children, the report endorses improving access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the adoption of new school breakfast models, investments in early childhood education, and increased financial support for our schools.
Read the full report here.
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PBN: Hawaii ranks 6th in the nation for poverty
HNN: Hawaii's economic recovery hasn't helped state's poorest