LIVING IN POVERTY

What Was Measured?
There is no single yearly measurement that reflects the number of people living in poverty in San Mateo County.  The California Department of Social Services, with information provided by local county agencies, tracks some of the programs that provide public assistance.  Data on the number of persons receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), General Relief, and Food Stamps for the years 1991 through 1995 are shown.

Not included are people living below the poverty level who receive no public assistance or the number of persons receiving public assistance through other programs, such as Medi-Cal.  Food stamp figures include both those persons receiving public assistance payments and those not receiving public assistance payments.  The effects of recent welfare reforms are not reflected in this report.

Why Is It Important?
A sustainable society is one in which each individual has the opportunity to develop and make the best use of his or her unique gifts.  Those living in poverty are often unable to fulfill their potential because their nutritional, health care, and educational needs are inadequately met.  Children are especially vulnerable, as deprivation can stunt growth and cognitive development lasting into adulthood.

The definition most often used for sustainability is "to meet the needs of the present generation while not compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The needs of the present generation are not being met if there are those among us who cannot afford adequate food, health care, housing and clothes.  In addition, county general funds spent on entitlements leaves less for discretionary programs, such as parks and libraries.

What Was Found?
The only available numerical figure for those persons living below the poverty level comes from the U. S. Census.  According to the 1990 census, 6 percent of the population of San Mateo County, or 40,262 persons, were living with incomes below the official poverty level in 1989.  The poverty guideline changes each year, but for a family of four for 1995, it was $15,150.  Poverty is distributed unevenly throughout the county.  In April of 1996 the Peninsula Library System Community Information Program prepared a map of the county based on updated census projections of 1994, showing the percentage of households earning less than $14,999 a year in each census tract.  Hillsborough, Woodside, Atherton, Foster City and El Granada have fewer than 7 percent of households living in poverty.  East Palo Alto and parts of Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Daly City have between 18-25 percent of households living in poverty, with the rest of the communities somewhere between.

It should be remembered that there are many poor persons who do not receive public assistance and are not included in the measurements.  Measuring public assistance, however, is the only method of measurement available on a yearly basis.  The number of single adults on General Relief (currently funded by county general funds) is small compared to the number of adults with children on AFDC (currently funded by federal and state governments).  General Relief recipients rise gradually from 1,182 in 1991 to 1,230 in 1995.  Total AFDC recipients rise from 13,785 in 1991 to 17,937 in 1995.

What Is The Trend?
Even though the number of persons receiving public assistance has increased each year, it is not possible to determine a trend at this time. We cannot convert these numbers to a percentage of the population receiving public assistance because services overlap. Most recipients of AFDC also receive Food Stamps, and all are eligible for Medi-Cal, yet these programs serve additional people who receive no assistance payments.  Until there is a record of the number of persons on public assistance which excludes duplications, no percentage of the population can be determined.  The census in the year 2000 should provide new data on the number of persons living below the poverty level in San Mateo County.

Source: CA Dept. of Social Services, "Public Welfare in California"; Peninsula Library System Community Information Program, April 1996 Map of S.M. Co; U.S. Census.

Researchers: Don Barnhart and Marcia Pagels.