Pima County, Tucson looking to combat post-pandemic poverty
“Not many people are making that much, so you ca work work hard and play by all the rules and still be in a hole. It’s especially hard for single mothers, 36% of whom live under the poverty line because of low wage jobs and a lack of child care.
In some months, they’re having to decide between paying rent and bills or paying for diapers, formula or other medical expenses.
The poverty rate is beginning to tick up, rising two percentage points in the past two years. It can be attributed to inflation and the high cost of housing, but also rising gas prices, which hurts the average family but can devastate those in poverty.
On Tuesday, April 19, the city of Tucson and Pima County will update their poverty strategies and data, recognizing the end of the pandemic means the beginning of a struggle for those below the poverty line.”