domestic poverty measure
Background | Faith Perspective | Take Action | Resources | Programs and Organizations 

The United States has historically defined poverty as a persistence of inadequate income. By this measure, 37 million Americans live at or below the official threshold. We know, however, that the current measure is based on an outdated assumption of what families need to maintain a basic standard of living. Safety net programs that base eligibility and benefits on the current measure leaves many families falling short of achieving the initial steps of stability.

Even an updated income measure will give us only a narrow snapshot of a person's life and fails to capture the panoramic view of conditions of opportunity and vulnerability that are predictors of well-being. This view of poverty as a lack of income does not take multi-dimensional conditions into consideration. This is not a sustainable way to view poverty or assess the support systems needed to move out of poverty.

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Poverty Measure Resources

Poverty Factsheet [PDF]

Programs and Organizations

Center for American Progress

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The Poverty Initiative is part of the Justice and Advocacy Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ.
Your comments and suggestions are welcomed: info@nccendpovertya.org / Phone 202-544-2350 ext. 27/ Fax: 202-488-5639

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