Poverty

As of April 2009, more than 35 million people in the United States live below the poverty line, including at least 13 million children.

In U.S. metropolitan areas, the poverty rate is 12.3%.  In suburban areas, the rate is 8.7%.

Homelessness and Housing

People who are homeless are 13 times more likely to be victims of violence than the general population.  In fact, 22% report having been physically assaulted and 7% report having been sexually assaulted.  Considering that this type of disclosure is rare, it’s safe to assume the actual numbers are much higher.

Of the entire homeless population, families account for 37%, and veterans account for approximately 12% - 17%.

More than half of all people who rent in Los Angeles County live in unaffordable housing, which is defined by HUD as “paying more than 30% of income on rent.”  Many others pay more than 50% of their income on rent (known as “extreme rent burden”).  In Santa Monica, 20% of renters endure extreme rent burden, while in Glendale, the percentage who suffer this burden is closer to 35% and in Palmdale, the number approaches 40%. Paying such large percentage of one’s income on rent leaves little left over for food and other daily living necessities.

Children & Minors

One in every seven children will have run away from home before he or she reaches the age of eighteen. 

At least 46% of an estimated 1,682,900 children nationwide who ran away from home or were thrown out by caregivers had been physically abused, and 17% had been forced into unwanted sexual activity by a family or household member.

Each year, assault, illness and suicide claim the lives of approximately 5,000 minors.

Children who have experienced homelessness exhibit significantly higher health problems than children who have never been homeless.  The most common health issues are asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotional disturbances.

Health

Approximately 4,848,000 people in California have no health insurance.  This number accounts for approximately 13.2% of documented residents.

In Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, approximately 15% of the population is uninsured.

Those without health insurance face high medical debt, often go without necessary care and can even die prematurely.