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SALT LAKE CITY -- Poverty is a problem that's become more like an epidemic sweeping across the nation during the economic recession. And Utah has been infected as well.
In Washington today, the Federal Reserve made a move to keep credit card rates low and encourage hiring and buying. But the stimulus only spurred on the partisan politics raging on Capitol Hill.
"The president's proposals are a poor substitute for the pro-growth policies that are needed," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
"Time and again, the philosophy of the Republicans comes through: stand by, do nothing," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D- Illinois.
And "nothing" is exactly what many Utahns don't have time for.
"They're more interested in their ideology. They're more interested in the party line than they are in getting something done," said Rose Park resident Jahn Curran.
The U.S. defines poverty as a family of four living on $21,000 per year. Here in Utah, that figure includes hundreds of thousands of adults and children - which if you put it into perspective, is more than the total population of the Salt Lake metro area.
The U.S. defines poverty as a family of four living on $21,000 per year. Here in Utah, that figure includes hundreds of thousands of adults and children - which if you put it into perspective, is more than the total population of the Salt Lake metro area.
These are people who say ‘Forget the stereotypical ideas you may have about people who live in poverty.' Chances are, they could be your next door neighbor.
Curran has a Master's degree in International Banking Management. He's been out of work for over two years.
"I live in a house. I have a roof over my head for the time being. But I still have clothes on, and I'm showered and I'm clean," he said. "But it's not what you think. I mean there are a lot of neighbors. This street right here, there are three houses that are in foreclosure."
"I'm likely going to lose my house. I'm 90 days out past paying my mortgage."
Current state census data shows:
- One in ten Utah adults live in poverty.
- Eleven percent of Utah kids live in poverty.
- That's greater than the Salt Lake metro area's nearly 870,00 total population and could fill Rice Eccles Stadium more than six times over.
Amanda Hawley was a stay at home mom until her husband lost his job, which put a strain on their marriage. And now she's a single mom relying on whatever job she can get with little education to care for her 4 year old son.
"I make less than a thousand dollars a month," she said. "I work every single day. All day long. I am up at five and six o'clock in the morning and I'm not usually in bed until two or three in the morning."
Kimberley Johnston has a traumatic brain injury which forces her to only work part-time. She and her husband left the oil fields in Colorado to take care of a sick parent right about the time the economy started going south. Now, she and her husband live in a shelter in Ogden.
"My husband used to work in the gas fields and he made a lot of money. He made $1300 a week. We never had to worry financially because there was always money left over.
Now her husband is lucky to work 20 hours a week at a fast food restaurant.
Joey Hanna works with families in need through Head Start in Salt Lake City. She says more of them are new to social services so they don't know where to go for help.
"They fall sort of in this middle category of people that can't necessary qualify for all services to help their family to help them get their feet on the ground, but don't make enough money to make ends meet."
You can see how different situations thrust families into poverty. What does this mean for 2011? Experts told KSL that we're going to see more of our neighbors struggling to pay rent, mortgage, put food on the table or even have gas to get to work - if they have work. And more people relying on social services to get by.
Email: [niyamba@ksl.com](<mailto: niyamba@ksl.com>)
