[Texas] Tour Of Poverty In Austin

From KXAN

By most measures, Austin's economy is still booming. The tide isn't lifting all boats, as the number of people living in poverty here grows.

Wednesday, the Basic Needs Coalition took local leaders and service agencies on a trip for a first hand look at poverty in Austin.

As part of Poverty Awareness Month, agencies are joining together to streamline assistance programs, to help those who need it most.

The numbers truly tell the story.

Thirteen percent of people in Travis County live below the federal poverty line. That's more than 100,000 people.

Advocates say that's far below what it actually costs to live here -- $44,000 a year for the basic needs of a family of four.

This group of civic leaders and service providers toured neighborhoods and assistance agencies to help put a face on Austin's impoverished.

It's not just a humanitarian effort but a civic duty.

"It's one of the mandates that county government has from the state to take care of indigent -- and that's in all aspects of their lives," Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez said.

Organizers say people often don't understand the daily struggles of the working poor.

Events like this will at least get communities talking about what can be done to raise the quality of life for everyone.