Elizabeth KneeboneBrookings Institution

Confronting Suburban PovertyIn Metropolitan Kansas City

Today, more of the nation’s poor live in suburbs than in cities

Number in poverty, central cities versus suburbs, 1970-2012. Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

1970 1980 1990 2000 2012

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000Poor Individuals in Suburbs Poor Individuals in Cities

Between 2000 and 2012, the suburban poor population increased in 93 of the top 95 metros

Chicago, 93%

Atlanta, 159%

Austin, 162%

Las Vegas, 144%

Salt Lake City, 124%

Minneapolis, 126%

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of ACS and decennial census data

By 2012, 59 of the top 95 metros found the majority of their region’s poor located in the suburbs

Seattle, 68%

Boston, 71%

San Francisco,

57%

Atlanta, 88%

Chicago, 52%Detroit, 57%

Washington DC, 71%

Salt Lake City, 73%

Miami, 84%

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of ACS data

The poor population in Johnson County grew by 144% between 2000 and 2012

Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

Johnson County, KS Kansas City, KS Kansas City, MO Remainder of Metro Region

15,323 24,820

61,958 51,920

37,445 35,542

93,913 94,277

Poor Population in Greater Kansas City

2000 2012

As poverty has spread beyond older, inner-ring suburbs, Johnson County experienced the fastest pace of growth

Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

Bates

Ray

Linn

Cass

Miami

Clay

Jackson

Platte

Franklin

Lafayette

Clinton

Johnson

Caldwell

Leavenworth

Wyandotte

Percent Change in Poor Population, 2000 to 2008-12

-8.2 to 25.025.1 to 50.050.1 to 75.075.1 to 100.0100.1 to 126.9No significant change

Johnson County accounts for a growing share of the region’s poor

10%

16%

40%

34%

2000

Johnson County

Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, MO

Rest of Metro

14%

14%

36%

36%

2012

Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

Tract Poverty Rate, 20000.0 to 10.010.1 to 20.020.1 to 30.030.1 to 40.040.1 to 52.9

Poverty has also become more concentrated in the county and beyond

Bates

Ray

Linn

Cass

Miami

Clay

Jackson

Platte

Franklin

Lafayette

Clinton

Johnson

Caldwell

Leavenworth

Wyandotte

Source: Brookings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data

Bates

Ray

Linn

Cass

Miami

Clay

Jackson

Platte

Franklin

Lafayette

Clinton

Johnson

Caldwell

Leavenworth

Wyandotte

Tract Poverty Rate, 2008-120.0 to 10.010.1 to 20.020.1 to 30.030.1 to 40.040.1 to 68.6

Poverty has also become more concentrated in the county and beyond

Source: United Community Services of Johnson County

The poor population looks much like it did in 2000, except that it has become a bit more diverse, younger, and more educated

With Disa

bility

White,

Non-Hisp

anic

Under

18

High Sc

hool

Dropou

t

BA Holder

22%

72%

28%20% 24%

12%

63%

32%

12%

31%

Poor Population in Johnson County2000 2012

In many ways, the Johnson County poor resemble the national suburban poor population, but differences exist

Source: Brookings Institution and UCS analysis of ACS data

Age 65 and Over

In Deep Poverty

Single

Mom-Headed

Familie

s

At Least

One Worker in

Family

White, N

on-Hisp

anic

BA or Higher

7%

43% 42%

75%

63%

31%

8%

44% 44%

66%

44%

12%

Johnson County PoorAll Suburban Poor

Several factors drive suburban poverty in the Kansas City region

Population Change Immigration Housing

Job Location Regional Economy

3.9%

14.1%

Percent Change in Population,Kansas City Region,

2000 to 2012

Population has grown faster in the suburbs

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of ACS and Decennial Census data

City Suburbs

Immigration plays a small role in growing suburban poverty

Contribution to Growth in Suburban Poor Population,

2000 to 2008-12

15%

85%

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of ACS and Decennial Census data

Most subprime lending and foreclosures were suburban

Subprim

e Loan

s

Loan

s in Fo

reclosure

or Lost

78% 76%

Share of 2004-08 Loans Outside Kansas City, MO

Source: Chris Shildt, Naomi Cytron, Elizabeth Kneebone and Carolina Reid, “The Subprime Crisis in Suburbia: Exploring the Links between Foreclosures and Suburban Poverty”

2000 2010

48%

53%

Share of Kansas City Region JobsLocated 10 to 35 Miles

from Downtown KS, MO

Jobs sprawl is high in the Kansas City region

Source: Elizabeth Kneebone, “Job Sprawl Stalls: The Great Recession and Metropolitan Employment Location”

Number of Suburban Unemployed,

Kansas City Region

The economic downturn left many unemployed in the suburbs

Dec. 2007 Dec. 2010

31,796

58,025

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics LAUS data

Suburban poverty brings added challenges

Transit Access Strained Local Services

Limited Philanthropic Resources Change in School Populations

Suburban commuters with transit can’t reach as many jobs

City Suburbs

27%

12%

Share of Kansas City Region Jobs Accessible to Low-income Neighborhoods within 90

Minutes via TransitSource: Tomer, Kneebone, Puentes, and Berube, “Missed Opportunity” (Brookings, 2011)

Number of Registered Nonprofit Social Service Organizations in Kansas

City Region, 2012

City Suburbs

66

49

Source: Brookings analysis of IRS 990 data

There are fewer nonprofits in the suburbs…

Nonprofit Human Services Revenue per Poor Individual, 2012

City Suburbs

$3,419

$857

Source: Brookings analysis of IRS 990 data

…And suburban nonprofits have fewer resources per poor resident

Share of Students Enrolled in Free and Reduced Price Lunch, Outside

Kansas City, MO2005-06 to 2009-10

Schools are seeing low-income populations grow

2005-06 2009-10

26%

34%

Source: Brookings Institution analysis of GreatSchools data

Suburbs face additional challenges

Lack of Capacity

Inflexible, Unreliable Funding

Extensive Fragmentation

Substance Abuse Treatment

Block Grant; Social Services

Block Grant; Substance

Abuse Prevention Block

Grant; Community Mental

Health Services Block Grant

(MHSBG); Access to

Recovery (ATR)

Social Services

The legacy system of place-based anti-poverty programs developed over decades does not map easily onto the suburban landscape

Child and Adult Care Food

Program; The Emergency

Food Assistance Program

(TEFAP); Summer Food

Service Program; Commodity

Supplemental Food Program;

WIC Farmers’ Market

Nutrition Program (FMNP)

Food Assistance

Job TrainingJob Corps; WIA Dislocated Worker

Employment and Training Activities;

WIA Youth Appropriation; WIA Adult

Program; WIA Dislocated Worker

National Emergency Grants;

YouthBuild; Learn and Serve America:

School and Community Based

Programs; Supported Employment

State Grants; Work Opportunity Tax

Credit; Child Care and Development

Block Grant

Education

Title I — Improving The Academic Achievement Of The

Disadvantaged; Head Start and Early Head Start; Improving

Teacher Quality State Grants; Adult Basic and Literacy Education

State Grants; TRIO: Upward Bound; Gaining Early Awareness and

Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP); Teacher

Incentive Fund; TRIO: Student Support Services; College Access

Challenge Grant Program; Mathematics and Science Partnerships;

TRIO:Talent Search; Race to the Top -- Early Learning Challenge;

TRIO: Educational Opportunity Centers; TRIO: Upward Bound

Math Science; Parental Information and Resource Centers;

Advanced Placement Program (Advanced Placement Test Fee;

Advanced Placement Incentive Program Grants); School

Leadership Program; Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Assets

for Independence (AFI); IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

(VITA); 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Child Care

Access Means Parents in School Program; Advanced Placement

Incentive Program Grants; Qualified zone academy bonds (QZAB);

Charter Schools Program

HealthConsolidated Health Centers

(Community Health Centers, Migrant

Health Centers, Health Care for the

Homeless, Public Housing Primary

Care, and School Based Health

Centers); Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Grants for Capital Development in

Health Centers; Title V Maternal and

Child Health Services Block Grant

Program; Maternal, Infant, and Early

Childhood Home Visiting ProgramEconomic Development

New Markets Tax Credit ; Renewal

Community Tax Incentives; Community

Development Financial Institutions Program;

ARRA- Investments for Public Works and

Economic Development Facilities; Recovery

Zone Bonds; ARRA- Economic Adjustment

Assistance; Economic Development: Support

for Planning Organizations; Community

Economic Development; Technical Assistance;

Bank Enterprise Award; Economic

Development: Technical Assistance;

Community Services Block Grant; Community

Services Block Grant: Discretionary Awards

Housing

Emergency Food and Shelter

Program; Tenant-based Rental

Assistance; Sustainable

Communities Regional

Planning Grant Program;

Housing Choice Voucher

(HCV) Family Self-Sufficiency;

Housing Counseling

Assistance

$82 billion81 federal programs

10 agencies

Chicago’s south suburbs encountered these challenges during the housing crisis

Cook County

Chicago’s south suburbs encountered these challenges during the housing crisis

Cook County

19 communities submitted a joint NSP application

Chicago’s south suburbs encountered these challenges during the housing crisis

Cook County

11 municipalities received individual awards

Innovators across the country are finding creative ways to navigate the legacy place-based anti-poverty system

HealthConsolidated Health Centers

(Community Health Centers, Migrant

Health Centers, Health Care for the

Homeless, Public Housing Primary

Care, and School Based Health

Centers); Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Grants for Capital Development in

Health Centers; Title V Maternal and

Child Health Services Block Grant

Program; Maternal, Infant, and Early

Childhood Home Visiting Program

Food Assistance

Child and Adult Care Food

Program; The Emergency

Food Assistance Program

(TEFAP); Summer Food

Service Program;

Commodity Supplemental

Food Program; WIC

Farmers’ Market Nutrition

Program (FMNP)

Housing

Emergency Food and Shelter

Program; Tenant-based Rental

Assistance; Sustainable

Communities Regional

Planning Grant Program;

Housing Choice Voucher

(HCV) Family Self-Sufficiency;

Housing Counseling

Assistance

Job TrainingJob Corps; WIA Dislocated Worker

Employment and Training Activities;

WIA Youth Appropriation; WIA Adult

Program; WIA Dislocated Worker

National Emergency Grants;

YouthBuild; Learn and Serve America:

School and Community Based

Programs; Supported Employment

State Grants; Work Opportunity Tax

Credit; Child Care and Development

Block Grant

Title I — Improving The Academic Achievement Of The

Disadvantaged; Head Start and Early Head Start; Improving

Teacher Quality State Grants; Adult Basic and Literacy Education

State Grants; TRIO: Upward Bound; Gaining Early Awareness and

Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP); Teacher

Incentive Fund; TRIO: Student Support Services; College Access

Challenge Grant Program; Mathematics and Science Partnerships;

TRIO:Talent Search; Race to the Top -- Early Learning Challenge;

TRIO: Educational Opportunity Centers; TRIO: Upward Bound

Math Science; Parental Information and Resource Centers;

Advanced Placement Program (Advanced Placement Test Fee;

Advanced Placement Incentive Program Grants); School

Leadership Program; Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Assets

for Independence (AFI); IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

(VITA); 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Child Care

Access Means Parents in School Program; Advanced Placement

Incentive Program Grants; Qualified zone academy bonds (QZAB);

Charter Schools Program

Education

Economic Development

New Markets Tax Credit ; Renewal

Community Tax Incentives; Community

Development Financial Institutions Program;

ARRA- Investments for Public Works and

Economic Development Facilities; Recovery

Zone Bonds; ARRA- Economic Adjustment

Assistance; Economic Development: Support

for Planning Organizations; Community

Economic Development; Technical Assistance;

Bank Enterprise Award; Economic

Development: Technical Assistance;

Community Services Block Grant; Community

Services Block Grant: Discretionary Awards

Social ServicesSubstance Abuse Treatment

Block Grant; Social Services

Block Grant; Substance

Abuse Prevention Block

Grant; Community Mental

Health Services Block Grant

(MHSBG); Access to Recovery (ATR)

Achieve Scale

Collaborate and Integrate

Fund Strategically

Neighborhood Centers Inc.Metro Houston

• Has an annual budget of more than $275 million, 70 different sites, and a staff of over 1,000

• Coordinates resources from 35 federal programs, state, local, and private sources to provide a seamless continuum of services

• Collaborates with other area providers

The Neighborhood Opportunity NetworkMontgomery County, MD

• A collaboration between the County, nonprofits, faith based community, and local philanthropy

• Targets high need areas with integrated and culturally competent services

• Builds awareness and community networks through door knocking, Neighbors Exchange, and Neighbor Circles

Municipal CollaborativesWest and South Cook County, IL

• 5 municipalities formed the West Cook County collaborative and 24 municipalities participate in the South Cook County collaborative

• Each partners with regional institutions and is supported by local funders

• Break down policy silos to address housing, transportation, and community development

Achieve Scale

Collaborate and Integrate

Fund Strategically

Support smart consolidation

Improve systems and networksPromote high-performance organizations

Identify and reduce barriers

Catalyze regional capacity

Reward collaborative approaches

Commit to enterprise-level funding

Promote tools that leverage public & private resources Develop consistent, comparable data sources

In the near term, policymakers, funders, and practitioners can learn from these innovations and work to…

Creating a Metropolitan Opportunity Challenge could help bring these solutions to scale in regions across the country

Federal Place-Based Anti-Poverty Programs

$82 Billion; 81 Programs; 10 Agencies

Re-purpose 5% : $4 billion

www.ConfrontingSuburbanPoverty.org

You can read more about the Metropolitan Opportunity Challenge and the contents of the book on our new website

The website provides a host of helpful resources:Profiles of the top 100 metros Case studies of innovators

Tips for taking action Video

Infographic

ekneebone@brookings.edu

www.ConfrontingSuburbanPoverty.org