Measuring Poverty Alleviation Efforts in America

In anticipation of the release of newly collected poverty data in the fall of 2011, advocates, researchers, and policymakers are considering how statistical tools, such as the Supplemental Income Poverty Measure, can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts nationwide. 

The current poverty measure was created in the 1960s and defines the poverty threshold as the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living. Many believe that the new Supplemental Policy Measure (SPM) will more accurately define poverty and will do a better job in shedding a light on the reality of American family budgets, especially in low-income communities and communities of color.

Check out this Half in Ten video that explains the SPM:

Half in Ten and the Women of Color Policy Network recently held a briefing to discuss the impact that the SPM could have on anti-poverty advocacy and opportunities for advocates and federal agencies to collaborate.

“Better information is one piece to reducing poverty. This includes over sampling within different race and ethnic groups. Although measures show poverty is increasing, it also shows anti-poverty programs are working and poverty could be higher [without these federal programs],” said Margaret Simms of the Urban Institute.

Rep. Jim McDermott, D. Wash., who has introduced legislation calling for a more inclusive poverty measure, delivered the keynote remarks for the event. Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, moderated the event, which included national experts and representatives from the Obama administration.