Grays Harbor, Yakima, Clark, and Snohomish Counties Saw Biggest Increases in Poverty

Though the recession has been disastrous for families throughout Washington, Grays Harbor, Yakima, Clark and Snohomish counties saw the fastest growth in total poverty or child poverty from 2008 to 2009, according to an analysis of new U.S. Census data by the Washington State Budget & Policy Center.

The jump in people living in poverty comes amid a recession that’s caused a dramatic decline in state revenues.  Especially in these counties, but in every corner of the state as well, more people are living in poverty while the services they need are being slashed.

In addition to more than $4 billion in cuts passed the last two legislative sessions, Gov. Gregoire recently called for 6 percent across-the-board budget cuts – which drastically impact human services that support the growing number of Washington families living in poverty.

The new data also illustrates the importance of the upcoming elections. A number of initiatives would reduce state revenue, making even deeper cuts more likely.

According to the analysis:

• Child poverty grew fastest in Grays Harbor, Yakima, and Clark counties from 2008 to 2009. Grays Harbor County experienced the fastest growth (7.6 percent) in child poverty of any county in Washington (see graph below). Yakima County (6.3 percent) and Clark County (4.4 percent) also saw child poverty grow significantly. 
  

• Total poverty grew fastest in Grays Harbor, Yakima, Clark, and Snohomish Counties from 2008 to 2009. As with child poverty, Grays Harbor experienced the most rapid growth (6.3 percent) in total poverty of any other county in Washington state during this period.  Total poverty also grew faster in Yakima County (3.9 percent), Clark County (2.2 percent), and Snohomish County (1.9 percent) than in the rest of the state.  Only in Kitsap County did poverty decline significantly during this period.  

• Child poverty and total poverty rates were highest in Yakima, Grays Harbor, Grant, and Franklin counties in 2009. As of last year, Yakima County had the highest child poverty and total poverty rates of any county in the state.  In that year, nearly one out of every three children (32.6 percent) and more than one out of every five adults (22.2 percent) lived in poverty in Yakima County (see the second graph below).  Total poverty and child poverty were also significantly higher than the statewide averages in Grays Harbor, Grant, and Franklin counties (See table below for total poverty and child poverty rates in 2009 by county.).
  

Cuts to services for vulnerable populations include maternity support services for high-risk women, and mental health and medical services for those with disabilities. Child welfare and support services face a nearly $15 million cut, with reductions to foster care agencies and support for those in home care.

More than $120 million in reductions to health care including reducing coverage for more than 127,000 children, and cuts for adults which include pharmacy benefit, prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, podiatry and hospice coverage.

Senior citizens face cuts in long term care, home care hours, and funds for boarding homes and other locations that care for older adults.

While K-12 education was not directly impacted, higher education will take a cut of $84 million to universities, and community and technical colleges.

Prior to the 6.3 % across the board cuts, more than $51 million was cut from TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and related programs, among those was a reduction in the eligibility level for Working Connections Child Care, which will result in 2,500 families will losing child care subsidies over the next nine months.