Some quick facts from a P.C. survey I thought you might find interesting. dc
Pierce County interviewed 1,524 low-income households during Summer 2008. Results from the survey yielded the following information about those interviewed. (The survey was not random, but a variety of subgroups were represented including homeowners, and 71% had a high school education/GED or more.)
90% rely on one or more food assistance programs
31% claim that someone in their household has gone hungry during the last year for lack of food. Among families with small children, 33% report someone in their household going hungry for lack of food.
Almost one third (30%) of households report a household member with a disability that limits their daily activities such as walking, eating bathing, etc.
The same percentage (30%) has a household member who is a senior citizen.
About the same number (29%) shared housing with another household during the past year due to cost.
About one in three respondents say their household has contacted 911 during the last year.
11% were evicted from their housing during the past year.
21% had their heat or electricity turned off during the past year.
32% had their telephone service turned off during the past year.
16% left a situation due to emotional or physical violence during the past year.
25% state that someone in their household obtained mental health services during the past year.
16% responded that someone in their household obtained drug or alcohol abuse treatment during the past year.
42% of respondents (46% of families with young children) have been homeless at some point in their lives. Most of them (71%) stayed with family or friends for at least part of the time they were homeless. About half (48%) stayed outside for at least part of the time they were homeless, and 38% stayed in an emergency shelter.
