New Study: Local Leaders Struggling to Address Poverty

A new survey from The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) at the University of Michigan shows the link between poverty, unmet needs and the availability of public resources in communities.

The findings revealed that poverty is widespread in all types of Michigan communities: small and large, rural and urban. The research also highlights the fact that local governments do not have adequate resources available to meet the unmet needs in communities facing economic hardship. The findings are based on the Michigan Public Policy Survey which surveyed local government leaders in Spring 2018.

Forty-four percent of local leaders said one in five people in their community struggle to make ends meet. Unfortunately, those local leaders are unable to adequately assist those residents due to funding shortfalls.

The study examined eight types of resources that can impact poverty, including drug treatment programs, job training/workforce development, affordable housing, public transit, emergency food, emergency housing, subsidized healthcare, and subsidized child care and pre-K. According to the study, more than 74 percent of jurisdictions statewide reported their residents have unmet needs for at least one of these areas.

The problem is compounded by the lack of awareness of the problem of inadequate resources for anti-poverty services by local government. The survey notes about half of local jurisdictions statewide have not talked about providing these services to their residents at all.

With limited resources and lack of discussion around needs, it’s difficult to deploy tactics and strategies to combat poverty. This is exactly why Michigan needs to invest in our communities: local government is on the frontlines of serving our residents and making our communities strong.

Municipal finance reform would not only help these local governments better provide resources and services for residents, but would help them invest in quality of life for themselves and for future generations.