Winter 2017 Poverty. - 27% identified as Liberal or Very Liberal; 43% identified as Moderate; 29% identified Conservative or Very Conservative.

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1 Winter 2017 Poverty This year, is partnering with the Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute ( CRI ) to augment the quarterly Listening Project surveys. The CRI will field four surveys using Listening Project themes and questions. The CRI s surveys will be conducted among a representative sampling of 500+ respondents from the Northeast Ohio region, spread across demographics such as age, geography, race and annual household income. For the fiscal quarter, focused its Listening Project survey on Poverty, a top challenge identified by participants in the annual Listening Project Assets & Challenges survey. The survey was completed by 209 anonymous respondents who answered 12 questions. For the majority of the questions, respondents selected an answer from a series of multiple-choice options and provided additional thoughts in a comments section. The CRI survey was completed by 515 adults in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties using online panel data with quotas in place for gender and age. Additional demographic data for respondents included: - For 46%, a high school diploma, GED, or some college was the highest level of education they achieved; for, a 2 or 4 year college degree was the highest level of education they achieved; 12% have achieved a doctoral or professional degree; 2% have not received a high school diploma. - 53% have an annual household income of $50,000 or less; 33% had an annual household income of $50,001 - $100,000; 11% had an annual household income of $100,001 - $150,000; 4% had an annual household income $150,000 or greater. - 43% work full-time; 12% work part-time; 7% are unemployed; 21% are retired; 6% are permanently disabled; 6% take care of home or family; 5% are students;.1% are temporarily laid off - 85% identified as white/non-hispanic; 9% identified as African American; 2% identified as white/hispanic; 2% identified as Asian; fewer than 1% identified as Native American; 1% identified as bi- or multiracial - 27% identified as Liberal or Very Liberal; 43% identified as Moderate; 29% identified Conservative or Very Conservative. - 21% were between ages 18 29; 24 % between ages 30 44; 36% between ages 45 64; and were 60 years of age or older

2 Question 1: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, for 2015, the poverty threshold for a family of four in the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan area is $24,257. To you, does this threshold seem about right, too high, or too low for someone to be considered in poverty? results BW CRI results 9% 9% The threshold is too low The threshold is about right 15% 1 32% 25% 57% The threshold is too high Unsure 43% Comments My family of four is double that threshold, yet we still struggle to pay for basic needs like food and clothing. Rent is a minimum of $600/month (though there are subsidies), plus utilities, plus food, transportation, medicine and health care, educational expenses how can a family of four do it? We did it with about $30,000, but that was over 10 years ago. I think it is less about annual income and more about how that money is spent. Perhaps your reporters should interview those with that low income and see how they are spending their money. Do they have cell phones? Buy cigarettes instead of prescription medicines? Using fast money lending with high interest instead of bank account? What choices are they making? 2

3 Question 2: Compared to 30 years ago, do you think it is easier or harder today for a person to start poor, work hard, and get out of poverty? results BW CRI results 11% 8% It is easier to get out of poverty today 12% 13% It is harder to get out of poverty today Unsure 81% 75% Comments Not only are there more people, and thus automatically driving up competition, but there is also a greater demand for college education in jobs, which many cannot afford because of their financial situation. There are not the jobs available today as there were 30 years ago. Also, it takes a lot longer to find a job and be hired than 30 years ago. The jobs with union wages and benefits have nearly disappeared. Working hard does not mean working yourself out of poverty. Plus, after generations of discrimination and segregation in Cleveland, many in poverty have inherited the trauma, stress and genetic impact of poverty in addition to the financial struggles. The high demand jobs in the labor market today have changed compared to what they were 30 years ago. Many people in poverty may not have the skills for the more technical jobs of today. 3

4 Question 3: In your opinion, which is the bigger cause of poverty today - that people are not doing enough to help themselves out of poverty, or that circumstances beyond their control cause them to be poor? results 3% 1% 7% People are not doing enough to help themselves out of poverty Circumstances beyond people s control cause them to be poor BW CRI results 1% 2% 23% A little bit of both 45% 44% Neither 59% 16% Unsure Comments Not enough industry, employment opportunities, no realistic livable wages to support self-sufficiency along with systematic racism are the popular circumstances that submerges people into poverty. Being born into poverty often starts people off way behind. Just the fact that babies in poor families don't hear as many words spoken to them starts them off behind and makes it hard for them to catch up, especially when we don't put sufficient resources into early childhood education. This country has ample room to pull yourself out of poverty. The ability to start pushing up the mountain, or even the ability to see that there is higher ground is often the issue. We have the ability to bemoan our station in life but not enough realization that we can improve it. One issue is that improvement is slow and our culture rarely celebrates the marginal improvement. Housing, underfunding of education, militarization of police forces, wage stagnation, wealth inequality and a host of other things are likely to drain desire to get ahead. 4

5 Question 4: For each of the following, please indicate whether you think it is a major cause of poverty, a minor cause of poverty, or not a cause at all. survey results Major cause 6 5 Minor cause 3 Not a cause 1 Too many jobs being part time, low wage (i.e. underemployment) Lack of affordable housing The cost of child care and/or preschool Poor quality of public schools Shortage of jobs Lack of access to higher education Lack of reliable transportation Drug abuse Too many single parent families Too many medical bills The public support system Lack of motivation Decline in moral values Too many immigrants 5

6 Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute results Major cause 6 5 Minor cause 3 Not a cause 1 Drug abuse Too many jobs being part-time, low wage (i.e underemployment) Lack of moitvation Shortage of jobs Too many single parent families Decline in moral values Poor quality of public schools The cost of child care and/or preschool Lack of affordable housing Too many medical bills The public support system Lack of access to higher education Lack of reliable trasnporation Too many immigrants 6

7 Question 5: Do you think it is the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty? results BW CRI results 5% 13% Yes, it is the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty. 24% No, it is not the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty. 56% 81% I m not sure if it is or isn t the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty. 21% Comments Our city and country's legacy of oppression and racism has also contributed to maintaining poverty among certain demographic groups. Red-lining in real estate, sun-down towns, and white flight during school integration still have an impact on our city and country today. Yes, but in conjunction with an earnest plan to lift people out of poverty and not create a life long dependency. Persons in poverty need to be empowered to take control of their own lives. I sometimes think we enable people not to work harder with all the handouts. Immigrants do better pulling out of nothing than Americans. If our country was really civil, we would care about other people and want others to have a chance to succeed. It makes the country better for everyone. Other western nations have far better social supports and their people are much happier. 7

8 Question 6: If you answered, "No, it is not the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty," who, if anyone, should provide that assistance? (Please select all that apply.) survey results Only 10 participants responded to this question. Other (please specify) No one should provide assistance to people in poverty. Corporations Private donors Religious organizations Non-profit charitable organizations (e.g. United Way) Philanthropic foundations * Other compiles mentions that occurred only once (e.g. family members, neighborhood, whoever wants to help). Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute results 281 participants responded to this question. No one should provide assistance to people in poverty Corporations Philanthropic foundations Private donors Religious organizations Non-profit charitable organizations (e.g., United Way)

9 Question 7: If you answered Yes, it is the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty - Which of the following public policies would be more likely or less likely to reduce poverty in Northeast Ohio? survey results More likely 7 6 Less likely 5 3 Unsure 1 Improve public schools in low-income areas Expand job-training programs Expand subsidized daycare Expand health care programs for low-income families Expand public employment programs Expand affordable housing programs Expand public transportation Expand funding for higher education programs Increase the minimum wage Subsidize development of underdeveloped neighborhoods Make food stamps available to more poor people Increase tax credits for low-income workers Guarantee everyone a minimum income Increase cash assistance for families Require public schools to teach about moral values and Reduce regulations so that businesses are freer to grow and Put more police in low-income areas Make it harder to get divorces 9

10 Which of the following public policies would be more likely or less likely to reduce poverty in Northeast Ohio? Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute results More likely 6 5 Less likely 3 Not sure 1 Expand job-training programs Improve public schools in low-income areas Expand public employment programs Expand affordable housing programs Expand health care programs for low-income families Expand funding for higher education Expand subsidized daycare Increase the minimum wage Increase tax credits for low-income workers Guarantee everyone a minimum income Require public schools to teach about moral values Reduce regulations so that business are freer to grow Make food stamps available to more poor people Increase cash assistance for families Put more police in low income areas Make it harder to get divorced 10

11 Question 8: Do you think government programs that try to improve the condition of poor people in this country are... results BW CRI results 47% 41% Generally making things better Generally making things worse 45% 29% 13% Aren't having much impact one way or another 26% Comments The government does not want to improve a system that is working for them. This system is not designed to work for poor people. This system is created to make poor people poorer. The government should try job placement/training/education for those who get government assistance. That way the people using it can get off of it. Government officials seldom lived in poverty conditions or taught in poverty areas. Management by ignorance! Seems as if a lot of good ideas are funded and the programs are not run with enough accountability for the leaders. Keep funding good ideas, but dramatically increase accountability and transparency. The desire to be successful must be intrinsic. To continue to support people that do not want to be educated or trained for the modern world has not worked. To continue to support people that do not want to be responsible citizens and parents only continues the cycle of poverty. It's hard to say. There is the actual data about the programs and then the political rhetoric that surrounds the programs, so actual results are obscured. You can go to the source and look at the data, but it's hard to interpret if you're a lay person. 11

12 Question 9: In the past year, have you or someone in your immediate family had a SERIOUS problem with any of the following issues because of financial problems? (Please select all that apply.) survey results Falling behind on your gas, electric, or phone bills. Falling behind on your medical bills. Falling behind on your rent or mortgage payments. Having trouble paying a credit card balance. Having too little money to buy enough food. Refusing medical treatment. Other (please specify) Being unable to pay for adequate transportation to get to work or Having a problem with alcohol or drug abuse due to financial Being unable to find childcare or being forced to take your child Getting divorced or separated, in part because of financial problems. 6 * Other compiles mentions that occurred only once (e.g. health problems, finding employment, domestic violence, paying for college, reduction in charitable contributions). Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute results None of the above Having trouble paying a credit card balance. Having too little money to buy enough food. Falling behind on your gas, electric, or phone bills. Falling behind on your medical bills. Falling behind on your rent or mortgage payments. Refusing medical treatment. Being unable to pay for adequate transportation to get to Having a problem with alcohol or drug abuse due to Being unable to find childcare or being forced to take your Getting divorced or separated, in part because of financial 5% 1 15% 25% 3 35% 45% 12

13 Question 10: To what extent do you worry about being able to pay your bills on time if at all? Do you worry a great deal, a little, or not at all? survey results 31% 28% A great deal A little Not at all 41% Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute results This question was not included in the CRI survey. 13

14 Question 11: How would you pay for a $400 emergency that happened to you today? results 9% Out of my bank account and/or with cash 3% BW CRI results 3% 5% 15% 43% With a credit card I would borrow money from a family member or friend I would sell something I own 4% 23% 36% 26% I would not be able to pay for the emergency Other (please specify) 9% 26% * Other compiles mentions that occurred only once (e.g. payday loan, health insurance/medicaid, combination of sources) 14

15 Question 12: If you were asked to use one of the five names for the economic class you belong in, which would you say you belong in? 1% 13% 5% 17% Upper class 15% 13% Upper middle class Middle class 28% Working class 32% 37% Lower class 15

16 BW CRI Cross-Tabulation Results Question 1: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, for 2015, the poverty threshold for a family of four in the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan area is $24,257. To you, does this threshold seem about right, too high, or too low for someone to be considered in poverty? By Gender By Education Level Too low About right Too high Unsure Too low About right Too high Unsure Female Male HS or less Some college BA/BS Post-grad By Age Too low About right Too high Unsure years years years 65+ years 6 By Income Level Too low About right Too high Unsure $0-$25k $25k -$50k $50k -$75k $75k -$100k $100k-$125k $125k-$150k $150k+ 16

17 Question 2: Compared to 30 years ago, do you think it is easier or harder today for a person to start poor, work hard, and get out of poverty? By Gender Easier Harder Unsure Female Male By Education Level Easier Harder Unsure HS or less Some college BA/BS Post-grad By Age Easier Harder Unsure years years years 65+ years 10 By Income Level 8 6 Easier Harder Unsure $0-$25k $25k -$50k $50k -$75k $75k -$100k $100k-$125k $125k-$150k $150k+ 17

18 Question 3: In your opinion, which is the bigger cause of poverty today - that people are not doing enough to help themselves out of poverty, or that circumstances beyond their control cause them to be poor? By Gender By Education Level Female Male HS or less Some college BA/BS Post-grad By Age Oneself Circumstances Bit of both Neither Unsure years years years 65+ years By Income Level Oneself Circumstances Bit of both Neither Unsure $0-$25k $25k -$50k $50k -$75k $75k -$100k $100k-$125k $125k-$150k $150k+ 18

19 Question 5: Do you think it is the role of government to provide assistance to people in poverty? By Gender Yes No Unsure Female Male By Education Level Yes No Unsure HS or less Some college BA/BS Post-grad 8 6 By Age Yes No Unsure years years years 65+ years By Income Level Yes No Unsure $0-$25k $25k -$50k $50k -$75k $75k -$100k $100k-$125k $125k-$150k $150k+ 19

20 Question 11: How would you pay for a $400 emergency that happened to you today? By Gender By Education Level Bank account Credit card Borrow money Sell Couldn't something pay Other 3 1 Bank account Credit card Borrow money Sell something Couldn't pay Other Female Male HS or less Some college BA/BS Post-grad 5 By Age 3 1 Bank account Credit card Borrow money Sell something Couldn't pay Other years years years 65+ years 10 By Income Level 8 6 Bank account Credit card Borrow money Sell something Couldn't pay Other $0-$25k $25k -$50k $50k -$75k $75k -$100k $100k-$125k $125k-$150k $150k+ 20