poverty

Austin: Second Fastest Growing City for Suburban Poverty

Laura Rice, KUT News — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:24:35 +0000

Austin is growing – and so is the area’s low income population.

Over the last decade or so, the number of people living in poverty in Austin grew by 77 percent. But the number of people living in poverty in the suburbs grew by more than 140 percent. These numbers made Austin the second-largest percentage increase among big cities across the U.S.

Half of All Texans Have No Savings

Filipa Rodrigues and Luke Quinton — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:39:57 +0000

State leaders routinely hail the "Texas Miracle" that's created one of the strongest economies in the country.

Everyone mentions the growth and job opportunities across the Lone Star State, but a recent study by the Corporation for Enterprise Development shows that many Texans are striving on the edge of poverty.

Texas Low-Income Children Lack Dental Care

Karen Bernstein — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:40:55 +0000

A new report grading states on dental health gives Texas low marks when it comes to providing low-income children with dental care. The report from the Pew Center on the States finds Texas has been slow to improve access to dental sealants – which can prevent cavities.

Three of Austin's Biggest Names Come Together for One Cause

Laura Rice, KUT News — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:30:17 +0000

An actor, a musician and UT’s head football coach are joining forces to help kids in need.

Mack Brown, Jack Ingram and Matthew McConaughey are putting together an event they’re calling “Mack, Jack & McConaughey" or "MJ&M."

There's not a lot of information right now—even the event's website says "additional details to be announced."

What we do know is that MJ&M will be a two-day, celebrity-filled special event held in Austin in April to raise funds for various children’s charities. The only charity already listed by name as one that will be supported is McConaughey’s just keep livin Foundation.

Percentage of Low-Income Austin Residents Up

Laura Rice, KUT News and Wells Dunbar, KUT News — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:54:01 +0000

The percentage of low-income residents in Austin is going up. That’s according to the Community Action Network’s third annual Community Dashboard report, released this morning.

Impoverished Texas Student Population Ticks Past 59 Percent

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:08:16 +0000

While Gov. Perry tours the country arguing that Texas is an economic powerhouse, new data from the state’s education agency shows 2.9 million public school students are economically disadvantaged. The number represents 59.1 percent of the student population in the 2010-11 school year. It's a slight uptick from 58.9 percent the previous year.

Ten years ago, 49.2 percent of students were counted as impoverished. The total number of economically disadvantaged students increased from 2 million in the 2000-01 school year to 2.9 million in the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 45 percent.

Economically disadvantaged students include those whose parents’ income falls below the federal poverty line. That’s $22,350 for a family of four.

Record Number of Hispanic Children Living in Poverty

Crystal Chavez, KUT News — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:22:50 +0000

Hispanic children now make up the largest group of children living in poverty in the U.S. The Pew Hispanic Center reports more than 6 million Hispanic children were classified as living in poverty last year. That’s more than any other racial or ethnic group. The report said the recession of 2007-1009 hit Hispanic children especially hard. The Center’s Mark Lopez said population growth and high birth rates are also factors.

Texas Poverty Grows By 9 Percent In One Year

Nathan Bernier, KUT News — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:02:59 +0000

Almost one in five Texans is living at or below the federal poverty line, according to fresh data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The increase from 4.26 million in 2009 to 4.63 million in 2010 represents an increase of almost 9 percent.

The federal poverty threshold for a two parent family of two is $22,314 per year.

“That’s a pretty meager existence for families to be able to make ends meet and provide all the basic things we need have a healthy, productive lifestyle,” Center for Public Policy Priorities senior researcher Frances Deviney told KUT News.