Census reveals 'new poor' in many Twin Cities suburbs (Minneapolis: health insurance, homes)

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Another fascinating read about the apparent trend of poverty moving out into the suburbs, and it's implications.

Census reveals 'new poor' in many Twin Cities suburbs | StarTribune.com (http://www.startribune.com/local/103974398.html?page=1&c=y - broken link)

The state also saw its rate of residents without health insurance increase from 8.4 percent in 2008 to 9.1 percent in 2009. Only Minnesota and Alaska showed statistically significant increases. (The results released Tuesday contradicted separate census data released earlier this month showing no change in Minnesota's uninsured rate.)

Changes in suburbia were a key reason for the increase. The uninsured rate actually declined slightly in Minneapolis but increased by significant margins in Washington and Dakota counties.

Suburban counties are "moving from a very prosperous kind of attitude to one of very great concern," Gillaspy said. "If you're living out there, even if you have a job, you're going to notice people around you who are losing their jobs or losing their homes."

Sleeping in cars

Advocates for the homeless said more suburban families are coming to urban homeless shelters. Families in Anoka found it so difficult to secure beds in downtown Minneapolis that area churches are now sheltering some of them. The street outreach coordinator for St. Stephen's Human Services in Minneapolis said she has responded to calls of homeless families living in cars in retail parking lots in Edina and Plymouth, and a woods in Minnetonka.

[laxster]

Interesting. I'm in my early 20s, and I have to say I was surprised to find out there are is a sizeable population in my area of kids in their early 20s living out of their cars... true story.

[golfgal]

I have just been waiting for you to post this as soon as I read this in the paper this morning . Considering the current economy this shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone. Keep in mind that the numbers are still FAR lower then they are in Minneapolis (as stated in the article). The fact that most people that have been out of work for a year or two in the suburbs held out this long on savings, etc. says a lot for the economic status before the markets crashed.

Just curious what YOUR economic status would be if you were out of work for 2 years....

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I have just been waiting for you to post this as soon as I read this in the paper this morning . Considering the current economy this shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone. Keep in mind that the numbers are still FAR lower then they are in Minneapolis (as stated in the article). The fact that most people that have been out of work for a year or two in the suburbs held out this long on savings, etc. says a lot for the economic status before the markets crashed.

Just curious what YOUR economic status would be if you were out of work for 2 years....

What are you getting so defensive for? This is a city data forum. Is there any way this article could be less relevant to serve the purpose of this website? Please enlighten me, moderator. I don't see why posting this merits pseudo-personal attacks from you.

[uptown_urbanist]

I think one of the problems facing the Twin Cities is the unwillingness for some in the suburbs to face the facts, and to acknowledge that the clear-cut boundaries between "urban" and "suburban" has disappeared, and that "urban" problems are now part of the suburban landscape. To say "but look at the city!" doesn't solve anything. And, of course, both people in city and suburb have been hit by the recession. As the article noted, the cities have networks in place to deal with this, but many of the suburbs don't, at least not yet. Obviously that's going to need to change, and quickly. And I do think it's relevant -- I think that many of the impressions people on this board have are based on outdated data and beliefs, so articles like this really point out the drastically changed landscape out there now.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I think one of the problems facing the Twin Cities is the unwillingness for some in the suburbs to face the facts, and to acknowledge that the clear-cut boundaries between "urban" and "suburban" has disappeared, and that "urban" problems are now part of the suburban landscape. To say "but look at the city!" doesn't solve anything. And, of course, both people in city and suburb have been hit by the recession. As the article noted, the cities have networks in place to deal with this, but many of the suburbs don't, at least not yet. Obviously that's going to need to change, and quickly. And I do think it's relevant -- I think that many of the impressions people on this board have are based on outdated data and beliefs, so articles like this really point out the drastically changed landscape out there now.

Really, and what would these networks be that are not existent in the suburbs?

[MplsTodd]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Really, and what would these networks be that are not existent in the suburbs?

Uptown's likely referring to this reference in the article.

"Advocates for the homeless said more suburban families are coming to urban homeless shelters. Families in Anoka found it so difficult to secure beds in downtown Minneapolis that area churches are now sheltering some of them. The street outreach coordinator for St. Stephen's Human Services in Minneapolis said she has responded to calls of homeless families living in cars in retail parking lots in Edina and Plymouth, and a woods in Minnetonka."

This is one reason why we need Local Government Assistance from the state, as cities often end up as the repository of problems of the greater Metro Area

[Norsky1]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I have just been waiting for you to post this as soon as I read this in the paper this morning . Considering the current economy this shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone. Keep in mind that the numbers are still FAR lower then they are in Minneapolis (as stated in the article). The fact that most people that have been out of work for a year or two in the suburbs held out this long on savings, etc. says a lot for the economic status before the markets crashed.

Just curious what YOUR economic status would be if you were out of work for 2 years....

???? ????

Why do you get so worked up about anything about the suburbs? It was an article in the newspaper, it's not like Slig made it up or something.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Norsky1

???? ????

Why do you get so worked up about anything about the suburbs? It was an article in the newspaper, it's not like Slig made it up or something.

Because Slig relishes in bashing the burbs any chance he gets and it gets really old--especially for things like this that really isn't "news" given the state of the economy.

[pete6032]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Because Slig relishes in bashing the burbs any chance he gets and it gets really old--especially for things like this that really isn't "news" given the state of the economy.

The increasing poor population is not all a result of the economic downturn. If you use an indicator like homeless population you can see that it has been on the rise since the 1980's, even during a huge economic boom in the 1990's.


MN Homeless population

Wilder Report - http://bit.ly/aRlr7W