October 14, 2009

San Diego poverty sharply up; CPI fights back with good job policies

Poverty in San Diego County shot up in 2008 to the highest level in 50 years, while half a million county residents are living without health coverage.  CPI's analysis of US Census poverty data released last week brought extensive media attention to the dire impacts of the recession for low-wage workers and families.

While banks are profitable again and some economists tout signs of recovery, our analysis showed 850,000 San Diego County residents living in economic hardship.  With San Diego's high cost of living, hardship is defined as household income below double the federal poverty level, or about $44,000 for a family of four.

We also pointed out that high-level indicators like the GDP are flawed measures of economic reality for people living on the bottom rungs.

Throughout this year, CPI has focused on developing policy solutions to bring workers and families out of poverty and into middle-class careers, making communities less vulnerable to the next economic downturn.  

Governments at all levels can insist that public money is spent wisely to create and encourage well-paid, career-track, family-sustaining jobs.  We are working with San Diego City Council Member Marti Emerald to develop a green jobs policy that would require Public Works contractors meet both environmental standards and job quality standards.

CPI also is working with national partners such as Green for All to make sure the federal Clean Energy bill includes measures improving access to middle-class construction careers.  

The construction industry was hit hard by the recession and housing market collapse, and will be a significant front in the recovery, thanks to stimulus spending and other public infrastructure investment.  Our research has highlighted potential solutions for health coverage and quality worker training in construction, and we continue to lay the groundwork for policies promoting construction career pathways for disadvantaged workers, such as that passed by the San Diego Unified School District board this spring.

Next Wednesday, at our annual gala, CPI will celebrate the achievements and green future of San Diego's construction workers.  It's not too late to join us -- click here now to purchase tickets or make a tax-deductible donation!

Thank you for your support!