When it comes to dealing with poverty in Washington, perception matters

We tend to think of poverty as a mostly urban problem. Of course, it’s not. But a University of Washington professor of public affairs says that assumption alone may be having an incredibly negative impact on poor and working-class families.

“The perception gaps matter not just because we aren’t aware of the problems, but they affect how we help,” Professor Scott Allard told Seattle’s Morning News.

The major issue being that if poverty is only thought of as an urban problem, people living in suburban areas won’t get the help they need. Food banks may be ignored and policies that could help struggling people could be axed.

Allard, who recently authored the book “Places in Need,” found, through his research, that social services are becoming more needed in suburban areas as the number of poor people living in them increases. He says there is also a kind of “othering” going on in suburban areas, where poor families are still thought of as being from the city.

In King County, a family of four with an income of $72,000 or less is considered low income, according to the latest data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The limits determine eligibility for assisted housing programs.

The median income in King County is $96,000.

According to the latest census data, the percentage of people living in poverty in King County is an estimated 9.8 percent.

“What we have to work on is maintaining our public commitment,” Allard said, adding that many programs are nearing the chopping block in Washington. “I wish we could discuss how to expand them, but it’s how to maintain them right now.”

Listen to the entire interview with Allard here.