Some quick facts from a P.C. survey I thought you might find interesting. dc
Pierce County interviewed 1,524 low-income households during Summer 2008. Results from the survey yielded the following information about those interviewed. (The survey was not random, but a variety of subgroups were represented including homeowners, and 71% had a high school education/GED or more.)
90% rely on one or more food assistance programs
31% claim that someone in their household has gone hungry during the last year for lack of food. Among families with small children, 33% report someone in their household going hungry for lack of food.
Almost one third (30%) of households report a household member with a disability that limits their daily activities such as walking, eating bathing, etc.
The same percentage (30%) has a household member who is a senior citizen.
About the same number (29%) shared housing with another household during the past year due to cost.
About one in three respondents say their household has contacted 911 during the last year.
11% were evicted from their housing during the past year.
21% had their heat or electricity turned off during the past year.
32% had their telephone service turned off during the past year.
16% left a situation due to emotional or physical violence during the past year.
25% state that someone in their household obtained mental health services during the past year.
16% responded that someone in their household obtained drug or alcohol abuse treatment during the past year.
42% of respondents (46% of families with young children) have been homeless at some point in their lives. Most of them (71%) stayed with family or friends for at least part of the time they were homeless. About half (48%) stayed outside for at least part of the time they were homeless, and 38% stayed in an emergency shelter.
Good data, we have a saying at Boeing…
Bring good data and the data will set you free….
Good data..
we have a saying at Boeing
“The data will set you free” !!!
Wow! I’ve been doing this for many years, and the level of need never ceases to amaze me. There are so many people in our community who need the services provided by the Tacoma Rescue Mission and other fine service providers in Tacoma and Pierce County. And there seems to be an increase in the working poor. People who are struggling “just to get by.” We need to be a bridge for those folks too. So the challenges for our future are great.