Poverty In Parts Of Philadelphia Worse Then Detroit's

'Philly.com' reports, "Poverty has increased a startling 62 percent in the communities of Lower Northeast Philadelphia since 1999. At the same time, poverty increased 42 percent in Roxborough and Manayunk, while declining 13 percent in South Philadelphia....

According to the American Community Survey ACS, the area with the highest poverty rate in the city between 2008 and 2012 (45 percent) included the neighborhoods of Nicetown, Tioga, Hunting Park, and Fairhill."According to the U.S. Census Bureau:..
between 2007-2011 the poverty level in Detroit was 36.2%.
between 2007-2011 the poverty level in Allentown was 25.8%
between 2007-2011 the poverty level in Philadelphia was 25.6%
between 2007-2011 the poverty level in Harrisburg was 31.6%
     All U.S. Census data above was also collected by ACS

Putting The Information Together* Parts of Philly are worse off then Detroit
* Allentown stands at the same poverty level as Philadelphia
* Overall Harrisburg (the state capitol) is worse off then either Philly or Allentown


Implied Conclusions
Comparing Allentown & Philadelphia to DetroitThe article breaks Philly down into sections. We don't have the same information breakdown neighborhood by neighborhood for Allentown. However, I think it would be safe to conclude certain sections of Allentown are likely to be in the same boat poverty wise.

Both cities have suffered from white flight just as Detroit has.

It may be somewhat a stretch to compare certain sections in these Pennsylvania cities with the entire city of Detroit, however the numbers are enough to be worrisome. Especially being the case for those stuck living in these areas where poverty is 8.8% higher then those living in Detroit overall. For these individuals it's more then 'worrisome', it's how they are forced to live out their daily existence. This is unacceptable.

A city is only as great as the parts that make up the whole. And Gentrification in downtown center city isn't going to solve the poverty problem. Not in Philly nor Allentown. Neither is it going to improve drop out rates, reduce escalating taxes nor solve vacant property problems. This simply moves it from one place to another.

SOLUTIONSPhiladelphia introduced a 'Shared Prosperity Plan'. It calls for poverty fighting groups to coordinate their efforts rather then work independently in order to reduce duplicating their services. It also calls for initially creating entry level low skill jobs through various means. Expand low cost or free daycare so parents can afford to go to work without spending their entire earnings to afford child care. Among other things

A few of my own ideas involve raising the minimum wage. Providing separate low cost subsidized housing to only those willing and able to work apart from those who will not. Priority hiring by the city for families and individuals who are presently collecting government benefits. Create low skill manufacturing jobs by offering companies unproductive properties for free the city has seized for delinquent taxes or have been abandoned with the contingency they need only make repairs to them. Encourage low income seniors to stay in their homes by offering reduced property taxes rather then taxing them the full rate (especially after an area has become too expensive for them after becoming gentrified). I have a few more ideas, but those are enough for now.

The point is this... If we're not going to offer incentives to those in poverty and force others to pick up the slack, we're going no where. It's all about encouraging people to take personal responsibility for themselves and not giving them an excuse for a easy way out. While at the same time creating an opportunity for them.

There will always be those unwilling to do squat, but there are many more who will respond if given the choice to make good of themselves. So far the direction we've been heading obviously is not working. It should also be apparent we should learn from mistakes made in Detroit and elsewhere. No amount of money is going to fix things without the appropriate changes in strategy. So far all we have done is move the same pieces around the board.