NYC Attempts to Re-define Who is "Poor"

On December 30, 2007, the New York Times reported that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration will jettison the federal poverty standard for identifying the poor and use its own standard when determining entitlement to government services.  Here is an excerpt:

The 42-year-old federal poverty standard, which is pegged to the annual cost of buying basic groceries, is widely viewed as outdated and off-target. The city’s formula would take into account the money families must spend annually on necessities including rent, utilities and child care. But it would also factor in the value of financial assistance received, like housing vouchers or food stamps.

To see the full article, go to "Bloomberg Seeks New Way to Decide Who Is Poor," in the New York Times.

DAB