"This survey shows us that despite an improved national economy, there are those who are not prospering," said Karl Stauber, president and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation, which commissioned the study. "We need to look behind the job growth data to the quality of the jobs available. Americans need living-wage jobs in order to meet basic needs, so they're no longer waging the paycheck-to-paycheck battle that keeps them struggling every week and every month."
Americans' steady concern about those struggling to make ends meet comes at a time when nearly 27 percent of all households nationwide have an annual income that falls below $25,000, and the percentage of subprime loans with payments late by 60 days or more is at 12.4 percent.
The survey found for the second year in a row a majority of Americans said that it takes at least $40,000 for a family of four to make ends meet, nearly twice the federal poverty threshold of $20,444. This answer was expressed by 69 percent, a 5 percent increase over last year's finding.
The stronger survey results on poverty may have to do with an increased sample size of this year's survey. While the number of national interviews remained the same as the 2005 survey, oversamples in each individual state were doubled from 200 to 400.
"Worries about falling into poverty increase with corporate consolidation, the off-shoring and outsourcing of jobs, increasing healthcare costs, disappearing pensions, and the shift to a service economy," according to the National League of Cities in its book "Tapping the Power of City Hall to Build Equitable Communities: 10 City Profiles."
At the same time, survey results show that Americans are willing to take personal action to reduce the numbers of people struggling within their communities. They also express confidence in being able to do so.
"I am consistently awed and deeply moved by the broad range of individuals who are willing to pitch in and work on issues of poverty," said Ruth Dickey, executive director, New Futures, a non-profit organization in Burien, Wash., that helps families and children. "It really runs the full gamut from individuals and organizations who give generously of their time and talent, to organizations that are willing to open their hearts and wallets to help nonprofits succeed and create change in the community."
Americans willing to take action
A majority of respondents say they are willing to do more, pay more and hold elected officials accountable for helping those who are struggling to make ends meet.
This year's survey found a slight six-point increase in the percentage of Americans who say they keep these issues in mind at the voting booth. Seventy-six percent said they think about how well a candidate would help those struggling to make ends meet.
Nearly half (48 percent) say helping those struggling to make ends meet in their community is a top priority. For a second year in a row, a majority of Americans say it would be a very good idea if community members got together to discuss ways to help those who are struggling. Seven in 10 say they would be willing to do one of the following: take part in a church project to help those struggling, adopt a family periodically, talk to a local elected official about people's hard times or even pay $50 more a year in taxes if it would help people in their community.
Hard work doesn't translate into prosperity
Even in an era of a strong stock market and economic growth, the rising tide is not seen to lift all boats, 79 percent say there are some or a lot of people in their community who are working full time, yet are still struggling to make ends meet. Half say they know people in their communities who are working two or more jobs and are still struggling to get by.
Financial difficulties hit people who are living in all geographic areas - rural, urban, small cities and towns. People living in the suburbs were least likely to report seeing people in their communities struggling. Americans without a college degree, those earning less than $75,000 per year and residents in large inner cities and in rural areas are most likely to perceive people are struggling. That is the same demographic group that sees people working full time and still struggling.
While the federal government declares a family of four is impoverished with an income of less than $20,444 per year, the survey found that slightly more Americans this year believe it takes at least $40,000 annually to make ends meet (69 percent vs. 64 percent). When asked how much a family of four needs each year, people across the United States cited higher figures than they did last year:
How much income would you say a family of four needs to earn in a year in order to make ends meet in your community?
At least $10,000 1% At least $20,000 6% At least $30,000 21% (NOTE: U.S. federal poverty threshold in 2006 At least $40,000 28% for a family of four is $20,444 per year.) More than $40,000 41%
Expectations for local elected officials
Most Americans, 77 percent, say they are satisfied with the way things are going in their communities. Yet, they still believe that elected officials hold a key role in improving conditions for all. Ninety percent say it is important for local elected officials to help people who are struggling to make ends meet.
The survey shows people have clear priorities for their elected officials: good jobs and access to health care remain high on the list. Three-quarters of Americans (79 percent) say their top priority for elected officials is attracting and keeping well-paying jobs, while health care concerns followed as a close second. Seventy-six percent say improving access and reducing healthcare costs are a top or very high priority for local elected officials.
In addition to healthcare concerns and the need for good-paying jobs, 54 percent of Americans cited affordable housing, and one in five cited better public transportation as high or top priorities.
Local elected officials get high marks for being knowledgeable: a majority of people say their local elected officials are very or somewhat knowledgeable about people's struggles to make ends meet. Similarly, six in 10 say local officials would be willing to meet with them to talk about ideas for helping people who are struggling.
Americans who are higher educated and satisfied with the way things are going are the most likely to say they think local elected officials are working hard for those who are struggling to make ends meet. People who work more than 40 hours per week and are less satisfied with their communities are more likely to say elected officials are not working hard.
Optimism that neighbors will help
At the same time that many Americans are reporting seeing people struggling, a majority feels the number of people going through hard times can be reduced. This optimism may stem from the belief that there are many capable people with valuable skills in the community. Half of the public says their community is effective in dealing with this problem.
Many perceive that their neighbors are willing to help those less fortunate. In fact, seven out of 10 said they would be "very likely" to do at least one of the following items in the future:
How likely would you be to: Likely Not Likely Join with others in your community to discuss ways to help those struggling to make ends meet: 73 % 26 % Take part in a church project to help people struggling to make ends meet: 82 % 17 % Adopt a family in need to help them from time to time: 65 % 32 % Pay $50 more a year in taxes if it would go to programs in your own community that help people struggling to make ends meet: 64 % 32 % Talk to elected officials in your community about people's struggle to make ends meet: 69 % 29 %
Further, Americans are optimistic about the ability of people in their communities to reduce the number of people who are struggling to get by. A quarter, 25 percent, believes the number of people struggling could be reduced a lot. Half (51 percent) of respondents say their community effectively deals with local problems (always or most of the time).
For additional information about this survey, and for downloadable graphics and charts generated by survey findings, visit www.nwaf.org/.
