20.11.2018 Views

The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Some states distribute funds through social or health departments or agencies (like this<br />

one <strong>in</strong> Wash<strong>in</strong>gton State). For example, the Children's Cab<strong>in</strong>et <strong>in</strong> Nevada can refer<br />

families to providers, help them apply for subsidies and can even help families who<br />

want to pay a relative for care. North Carol<strong>in</strong>a's Smart Start is a public/private<br />

partnership that <strong>of</strong>fers fund<strong>in</strong>g for child care. Check the National Women's Law Center<br />

for each state's child care assistance policy.<br />

Wages and Benefits<br />

In the conclusion <strong>of</strong> her book, Nickel and Dimed (2001), Barbara Ehrenreich argues that<br />

Americans need to pressure employers to improve worker compensation. Generally<br />

speak<strong>in</strong>g, this implies a need to strengthen the labor movement. Interest<strong>in</strong>gly, crossnational<br />

statistical studies on work<strong>in</strong>g poverty suggest that generous welfare states<br />

have a larger impact on work<strong>in</strong>g poverty than strong labor movements. <strong>The</strong> labor<br />

movements <strong>in</strong> various countries have accomplished this through political parties <strong>of</strong> their<br />

own (labor parties) or strategic alliances with non-labor parties, for <strong>in</strong>stance, when<br />

striv<strong>in</strong>g to put a mean<strong>in</strong>gful m<strong>in</strong>imum wage <strong>in</strong> place. <strong>The</strong> federal government <strong>of</strong>fers a<br />

Flexible Spend<strong>in</strong>g Account (FSA) that's adm<strong>in</strong>istered through workplaces.<br />

If your job <strong>of</strong>fers an FSA (also known as a Dependent Care Account), you can put aside<br />

up to $5,000 <strong>in</strong> per-tax dollars to pay for child care expenses. If both you and your<br />

Page 61 <strong>of</strong> 289

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!