From the report 'Hunger in the Rockies 2005' by Mathematica Policy Research Inc.:

• 45% of the members of households served by FBR are children under 18 years old

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Approximately one in ten U.S. households, more than 36 million people, live in poverty - a figure that increased 1.3 million in just one year! 38 million people do not have access to enough food to meet their basic needs. 14 million are children (17.6% of all children).
(Center on Hunger & Poverty-2005; Income, Poverty & Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S. 2004, US Census Bureau)

Ten million people live in households that go hungry; 33% of these are children. 12% of all US households are food insecure - a figure that rose 11.2% in just one year.
(USDA's Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2005)

25 million children, low-income, elderly, homeless, disabled and unemployed adults are helped by America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network.
(America's Second Harvest Report 'Hunger in America 2005' by Mathematica Policy Research Inc.)

Food insecurity and hunger are concentrated in low-income households. In 2004, households with incomes below 130% of the poverty line had a food insecurity prevalence of three times the national level. Nearly 66% of households reporting hunger had incomes under 185% of the poverty line.
(Center on Hunger and Poverty 2005)

Average unemployment rates in 2005 were 5.1% - up from 4.8% in 2001.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The federal minimum wage has not seen an increase since 1997 and its value has dropped by 20% since then. In inflation-adjusted dollars, it is at its lowest value in 50 years.
(Economic Policy Institute)

Of the adults living in poverty, 38% worked during the last year.
(Poverty in the United States: 2005 estimates, US Census Bureau)

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Hunger and Poverty in Colorado

• 11.1% of people in Colorado live in poverty. (Food Research and Action Center, State of the States 2006)
• Nearly 167,000 children (14.5%) in Colorado live in poverty. (Food Research and Action Center, State of the States 2006)
• Nearly 30,000 seniors (7.4%) ages 65 and over live in poverty. (U.S. Census 2000)
• Colorado ranks 5th in States with an increase of 31.4% in food insecurity from 1999 to 2004 (Center on Hunger)
• 12% of households in Colorado are food insecure, or food insecure with hunger  (Household Food Security in the United States, USDA - 2006)
• More than 172,000 children qualified for free or reduced fee school lunches.
  (State of the States, Food Research and Action Center, 2003)
• More than 102,000 children (9.3%) live in high-poverty neighborhoods - where 20% or more of the population is below poverty. (U.S. Census 2000)
• Colorado has experienced a decline in low-skill jobs that provide adequate wages, and an increase in low-skill jobs with low wages. (Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, 2002)
• Studies indicate an annual income of $31,652 - more than twice the federal poverty level - is required for a family of three to live a stable and healthy lifestyle in Colorado. Families who live below twice the poverty level have difficulty meeting basic food, housing, health care and child care needs.
  (Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, 2004)
• More than 700,000 Coloradoans lack health care coverage.  (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless)

Metropolitan Denver

• The number of people living in poverty in metropolitan Denver increased between 1990 and 2000, as Colorado’s population increased almost 31% in 10 years. The 1990 poverty rate of 9.9% represented 179,314 people; the 2000 poverty rate of 14.3% represented 195,181 individuals.  The increase in the number of people living in poverty in suburban counties is consistent with recent national studies that show that the number has risen in the suburbs of many metropolitan areas even during a decade of expansion.
  (Piton Foundation, 2003)

• 10.3% of people (50,417) in Wyoming live in poverty (Food Research and Action Center, State of the States 2006)
• Almost 16,000 children (14%) in Wyoming live in poverty. More than 47,000 children (37.6%) live below 200% of the poverty level. (Food Research and Action Center, State of the States 2006) (Kids Count 2003)
• Nearly 5,000 seniors (8.9%) ages 65 and older live in poverty (U.S. Census 2000)
• More than 8,000 children live in high-poverty neighborhoods - where 20% or more of the population is below poverty.
  (U.S. Census 2000)
• 10.6% of households in Wyoming are food insecure, or food insecure with hunger (Household Food Security in the United States, USDA - 2006)
  (State of the States, Food And Research Action Center, 2006)
• Almost 23,000 children qualified for free or reduced fee school lunches last year
  (State of the States, Food Research and Action Center, 2006)

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, two trends are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty.  Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. Both the poverty rate and the number of poor people have increased in recent years.  36% of persons living in poverty are children.  (People Need Affordable Housing, National Coalition for the Homeless, 2006)

In 1997, 3 million low to moderate income working families spent more than 50% of their income on housing. By 2001 this number had jumped to 4.8 million, an increase of 67%.
(People Need Affordable Housing, National Coalition for the Homeless, 2003)

Approximately 22% of homeless people suffer from chronic mental illness; 11% are veterans; 20% have regular employment. The vast majority of homeless persons with a mental illness could achieve stability if the appropriate services were available.  A study of 27 U.S. cities found that in 2001, 37% of all requests for emergency shelter went unmet due to lack of resources - a 13% increase from the previous year. For families, the numbers are even worse: 52% of emergency shelter requests from families were denied, a 22% increase from last year.  (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005)

A review of homelessness in 50 cities found that in virtually every city, the city's official estimated number of homeless people greatly exceeded the number of emergency shelter and transitional housing spaces. (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 1999)

On any given day, at least 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including about 200,000 children in homeless families. During a year’s time, four or five times as many people experience homelessness as are homeless on any particular day.  As a result, during a typical year, between 900,000 and 1.4 million children are homeless with their families. (Urban Institute 2000)

Homeless children have high rates of acute illness and go hungry at more than twice the rate of other children. 50% of homeless children do not attend school. Homeless children have four times the rate of developmental delays, twice the number of learning disabilities, and have three times as many emotional and behavioral problems. (National Coalition for the Homeless)

In rural areas, research indicates that families, single mothers and children make up the largest group of people who are homeless.  A national study conducted by the Ford Foundation found that nearly 50% of homeless women were fleeing domestic abuse.

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Housing Issues

In Colorado an extremely low-income household (earning $19,650, 30% of the Area Median Income of $71,559 (FY2006)) can afford monthly rent of no more than $491, while the Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom unit is $865. A unit is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the renter's income. (Colorado Coalition & US Census)

A minimum wage earner, earning $5.15 per hour, will only earn an annual gross total of $10,712.  

An SSI recipient (receiving $552 monthly) can afford monthly rent of no more than $166, while the Fair Market Rent for a one-bedroom unit is $647.

In Colorado, a worker earning the Minimum Wage ($7.02 per hour) must work 129 hours per month  in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area's fair market rent. 80% of all hours worked would go towards rent!

The average Housing Wage in Colorado is $16.64 per hour. This is the amount a full time (40 hours per week) worker must earn per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area's Fair Market rent. This nearly 300% of the minimum wage ($7.02 per hour).  (In the City of Denver the Housing wage is $18.71 per hour!)

Approximately 27,000 people in Colorado are eligible for housing assistance and are on waiting lists for public housing authorities. Applicants eligible for public housing in Colorado wait an average of 24 months until assistance is received. (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless)

Rural Homelessness: Community estimates derived form the 2005 Continuum of Care process found approximately 10,314 persons who are homeless on any given day in 56 non-metro counties in Colorado. (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless)

Communities in Colorado based on tourism, such as ski resorts and gateways to national parks, have been experiencing extreme shortages of affordable housing, and an increase in homelessness. These areas often have an abundance of low wage, seasonal jobs. (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless)

Homelessness in Denver

According to a point-in-time study conducted in January 2005, as there were over 10,268 homeless individuals. More than 60% of them were family members and children.  People younger than 21 and families represent half of all homeless people. (Colorado Coalition for the Homeless)

In Denver, there was a 17% increase in requests for emergency shelter in 2005; the national average was 13%. While requests have increased, the number shelter beds in Denver (approx. 2100) have not kept pace with needs. (U.S. Conference of Mayors Report 2005)

Veterans make up 18% of the homeless population in Denver.  58% are families.  11% are women.  28% are men.  1% are youth. (Metro Denver Homeless Initiative 2005)

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Housing and Homelessness in Wyoming

In Wyoming, the poverty level household annual income is $15,670 -- 31% of the state median income of $50, 300.   At the poverty level a person can afford monthly rent of no more than $392 per month, while the Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom unit is $537. A unit is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the renter's income.

A minimum wage earner (earning $5.15 per hour) can afford monthly rent of no more than $268.

An SSI recipient (receiving $552 monthly) can afford monthly rent of no more than $166, while the fair market rent for a one-bedroom unit is $413.

In Wyoming, a worker earning the Minimum Wage ($5.15 per hour) must work 80 hours per week in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area's Fair Market rent.

The Housing Wage in Wyoming is $10.33. This is the amount a full time (40 hours per week) worker must earn per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the area's Fair Market rent. This is 201% of the minimum wage ($5.15 per hour). (Wyoming Self Sufficiency Standard 2005) (HUD)

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