Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options

Poverty has grown in America’s suburbs, but suburban poor are finding it hard to get help, according to Suburbs in Need, a study released on Oct. 7 by the Brookings Institution. One of its co-authors, Scott Allard, an associate professor in the School of Social Service Administration of the University of Chicago, said, “Few of the suburban communities have a social services infrastructure in place to address the challenges this increased poverty poses.” Existing suburban social service entities are experiencing reduced funding because of state budget shortfalls. The report found that by 2008 the rising number of suburban poor exceeded the number of city poor in the largest U.S. metro areas by 1.5 million. Although the collapse of the housing market and high unemployment are driving suburban distress, “Forty-five percent of providers report substantial increases in the number of clients coming from households where one or both adults are working but cannot earn enough to make ends meet,” Allard said.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

During his general audience, Pope Francis reminded his listeners of the importance of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Engaging the crowd by having them recite the virtues aloud, Francis said that theological virtues animate our everyday actions toward the good.
Pope FrancisApril 24, 2024
‘The Sound of Silence’ version of the ‘Our Father’ has been widespread throughout Latin America and U.S. Latino communities for the last few decades.
This cover image released by Republic Records show "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift.
You always hope that your favorite artist’s best work is still ahead of them. But what goes up must come down.
Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” which turns 75 this year, was a huge hit by any commercial or critical standard. In 1949, it pulled off an unprecedented trifecta, winning the New York Drama Circle Critics’ Award, the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. So attention must be paid!
James T. KeaneApril 23, 2024