LETTER TO THE HOLLAND SENTINEL: Holland, MI — The community assessment report of the Greater Ottawa County United Way contains a wealth of information on the needs of our community. As we strive to be a voice for the poor and hungry, the Holland chapter of Bread for the World would like to highlight some statistics reported in the basic needs and financial stability section of the assessment. Though these statistics all predate the current financial crisis, they still reveal that many are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
Poverty rates in Ottawa County have been increasing despite a fairly stable employment rate, perhaps because of changes in the types of jobs available. The county has lost manufacturing jobs, but gained jobs in the service sector where wages tend to be lower. In the county’s southwest quadrant, where Holland is nearly 12 percent of the adults surveyed were employed but feel their current job is not adequate, and another 7 percent were unemployed and job hunting.
Poverty rates in Ottawa County have been increasing despite a fairly stable employment rate, perhaps because of changes in the types of jobs available. The county has lost manufacturing jobs, but gained jobs in the service sector where wages tend to be lower. In the county’s southwest quadrant, where Holland is nearly 12 percent of the adults surveyed were employed but feel their current job is not adequate, and another 7 percent were unemployed and job hunting.
Housing costs are a huge burden for many. In Ottawa County, 29 percent of households pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Among renters, 13 percent pay more than 50 percent of their income in rent. Households with annual incomes less than $20,000 pay an average of 80 percent of their income on housing. Each year, approximately 1,300 people in our county are homeless at some point during the year.
Low savings levels also reveal dangerous vulnerabilities. In the southwest quadrant, 49 percent of households have less than three months of living expenses in savings, and 17 percent have less than one month of savings. For such households, even a modest unforeseen expense or a brief loss of income can quickly turn into a crisis.
Inability to pay for utilities, housing or health care at least once during the year occurred at rates of 6.5 percent, 7 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively, during 2007. More alarmingly, approximately 25 percent of county households had insufficient money for food at some point during the year.
The data also demonstrate the central role of education in attaining financial security. Low education levels correspond to low income levels and high rates of unmet needs.
Inadequate food, housing, or health care leads to poor health and difficulties at work or school, making self sufficiency increasingly elusive. We must find ways to halt the downward spiral of poverty. The community assessment is available on United Way’s Web site (www.gouwvc.org). Also, Bread for the World will hold a forum on the Basic Needs section at Herrick District Library on March 30 at 7 p.m.
By Dave Zwart and Mary Johnson
Holland Area Chapter of Bread for the World
Low savings levels also reveal dangerous vulnerabilities. In the southwest quadrant, 49 percent of households have less than three months of living expenses in savings, and 17 percent have less than one month of savings. For such households, even a modest unforeseen expense or a brief loss of income can quickly turn into a crisis.
Inability to pay for utilities, housing or health care at least once during the year occurred at rates of 6.5 percent, 7 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively, during 2007. More alarmingly, approximately 25 percent of county households had insufficient money for food at some point during the year.
The data also demonstrate the central role of education in attaining financial security. Low education levels correspond to low income levels and high rates of unmet needs.
Inadequate food, housing, or health care leads to poor health and difficulties at work or school, making self sufficiency increasingly elusive. We must find ways to halt the downward spiral of poverty. The community assessment is available on United Way’s Web site (www.gouwvc.org). Also, Bread for the World will hold a forum on the Basic Needs section at Herrick District Library on March 30 at 7 p.m.
By Dave Zwart and Mary Johnson
Holland Area Chapter of Bread for the World
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