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 Poverty and Hunger
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  • 10.8% of Chatham residents (4,518 persons) live in poverty using federal poverty guidelines.
  • Using broader guidelines as suggested by poverty experts, the total poverty estimate in Chatham includes approximately 15,000 persons, or 35% of county residents. 
  • 7.8% of Chatham residents surveyed by telephone during the Fall of 1996 reported being concerned during the past 30 days about having enough to eat.
  • The proportion of Chatham residents using social support programs is quite low considering the number of citizens living in poverty.  For example, less than 1000 persons receive AFDC, Food Stamps, and low-income energy assistance each month.  Medicaid participation is higher, with 2000 encounters and 3000 monthly payments reported, but these figures represent 1/4 to 1/2 of residents under the federal poverty guideline.
  • Last year, nearly 800 families sought assistance from CORA, Chatham’s food pantry.  The percentage of repeat visits to the pantry (which must be documented as needed by a human service agency, minister, or law enforcement officer), is the highest since the program began, indicating longer periods of economic distress for some families in Chatham.
  • Consequences of welfare reform will have imminent effects in the county, with all benefits cut for legal immigrants and Food Stamp recipients aged 18-50.

 

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