LB poverty level among highest in nation

The Grunion Gazette reported that nearly one in four people living in Long Beach have incomes below the federal poverty line.

Long Beach has the seventh highest percentage of poverty in the nation, with 37.7 percent of underage youth living in poor conditions, moving up from 10th highest last year, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

There must be a reason for the high poverty in Long Beach, and a remedy that can be found in order to leave no one in the cold. The number of people living in substandard conditions has actually risen in the last three years from 14.4 percent (37th place on the poverty list) to 24.4 percent in 2003. The number of people living below the poverty line has grown across the nation by 1.3 million. It doesn't look like Bush's tax cuts are helping much here.

The cost of living in Southern California and the high housing prices have combined to make it even more difficult to move up economically. Cost of living here is high, which is the price we pay to live on the Western coast. The Arizona State University, School of Business reported that for Los Angeles and Long Beach, the average purchase price for a house is in the top three with $478,705.

Single parents represent the largest group living at or below the poverty line at 38 percent. It is difficult for only one person earning minimum wage to provide rent and care for their children in this city. The majority of children in Long Beach are living in poverty, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

The majority of those living at or under the poverty level are non-English speakers from immigrant families. The language barrier makes it difficult for them to find jobs that pay enough to support a family. Qualified workers may only find low-paying jobs because they are unable to communicate. Long Beach is a very diverse city with many of its residents speaking more than one language. This can set back children going to an English-speaking school with parents who speak only their native tongue. It is difficult for the teachers to communicate what must be done at home for the student to succeed. The School Lunch Program offers reduced and free lunches to students that need it.

With fall approaching and colder weather to come, it is important that the homeless have a place to stay also. Habitat for Humanity is working for change by building houses for low income families. Volunteers are welcome, more information can be found at www.habitatlb.org. In a city where the poverty levels are so high, there should be more organizations working to remedy the situation. Volunteers of America, the MHA Homeless Assistance Project and the Life Steps Foundation are just a few that are involved in the struggle.

American defense spending is higher than any other country, why not take some of that money and allot it for combating poverty or raising the hourly minimum wage?