ECONOMIC STRAINS CONTINUE FOR LOW INCOME HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS

Columbia, Maryland…Economic difficulties continue to affect Howard County residents according to the 2011 Self Sufficiency Indicators Report released by the Policy Analysis Center, a joint project of the Association of Communication Services and The Horizon Foundation. The report was released at the Association of Community Services General Meeting November 16, 2011.

A variety of key economic indicators reveal clear and continuing strains on households from FY2010 to FY2011 particularly in the areas housing and food  The report notes increases in temporary cash assistance for households (up 18%) and individuals (up 24%); more evictions (up 7%) and eviction assistance grants (up 32%), and increased food bank requests (up 27%).  In most of the areas tracked by the study, the FY 2010-FY2011 figures continued a steadily upward trend since the first report in 2008, just as the recession was beginning.

Requests for home energy assistance, for example were up 2% for 2011, but increased 129% between FY2007 and FY2011. Household requests for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs are up 30% this year, but increased 133% during the reports’ tracking period. 

The lack of affordable housing in Howard County continues to be a major contributor to economic instability.  In addition to the increased number of evictions, the 2011 Indicators show that even though the number of available subsidized units has increased, so, too, have waiting lists. Howard County Owned and Managed units increased 19%, from 896 units to 1065 units, but the waiting list between 2010-2011 increased 41%.

The increases in demand for services may also reflect increases in the amount needed to live self-sufficiently.  For the 2011 report, the 2007 self-sufficiency basic need monthly costs were inflated using the Consumer Price Index for the Washington DC-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.  As a result the annual self-sufficiency income needed to make ends meet increased anywhere from 13 to 18% for all family types between 2007 and 2011.  For example, for a single adult, the income necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in 2007 was $31,517, which rose to $35,786 in 2011, representing a 13.5% increase.  For a family of five, consisting of two adults, one preschooler and two teenagers, the annual self-sufficiency income in 2007 was $77,121 and in 2011 it increased to $89,724, representing an increase over the five years of 16.3%. The county's high self-sufficiency income is at least partially attributed to the fact that costs of key services is are often higher in Howard County than in the state of Maryland overall.  Center-based childcare, for example, averages at $1350/month in Howard County, but $1032/month in Maryland.  The study notes that for some families, child care costs can reach 20% of income.  Additional information on the impact of high self-sufficiency costs in Howard can be found in the recently released report, Making Ends Meet in Howard County.

In releasing the report, Association of Community Services' Executive Director Duane St. Clair said, "This year’s figures dramatically remind us that many Howard County residents continue to face real hardships in this economy.  Families are working harder to feed themselves and their children; housing is at risk, and child care continues to strain family budgets.  As we face increased budget pressures, we urge policy makers at the local and state level to keep our most at risk citizens in mind and ensure they have the ability to feed, cloth, and house themselves and their families.”

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The complete 2011 Self Sufficiency Indicators report, including expanded family-size scenarios is available at http://www.policyanalysiscenter.org/maryland-self-sufficiency-standard

The Policy Analysis Center:

The Policy Analysis Center is a partnership between The Horizon Foundation and the Association of Community Services of Howard County (ACS). It focuses on policy research, analysis, evaluation and data collection that respond to the needs of the county’s health and human service organizations. 

The Horizon Foundation:  The Horizon Foundation is one of the largest health philanthropies on the East Coast.  Its mission is to improve the health and wellness of those living and working in Howard County, Maryland through innovative programming, grantmaking and strategic partnerships with others

The Association of Community Services is a network of non-profit, for profit, faith-based and government agencies and community advocates. Founded in 1963, ACS develops, supports, and promotes the Howard County human services community with education and training, advocacy, and community connections.

Contact:       Viviana Simon             viviana.simon@policyanalysiscenter.org       410-715-9543 or

Duane St. Clair     duane.stclair@acshoco.org           410-715-9545