Report on Economic Hardship in Putnam County and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Key Findings from the 2023 United Way Study

A 2023 study conducted by United Way reveals a significant challenge to local economic stability and the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Putnam County. The report indicates that 37% of families are living below the poverty line or are classified as working poor. This statistic directly contravenes the objectives of SDG 1 (No Poverty), which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Defining the ALICE Threshold

The United Way’s analysis utilizes the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold to identify working families who, despite being employed, earn above the federal poverty line but still cannot afford the basic costs of living in their community. This highlights a critical gap in achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as it demonstrates that employment alone is not sufficient to ensure economic security or a decent standard of living for a substantial portion of the population.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The economic conditions in Putnam County, as detailed in the report, have direct implications for several SDGs:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The finding that over one-third of families face poverty or are income-constrained is a primary indicator that progress toward this goal is facing significant local hurdles.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: Families below the ALICE threshold are at high risk of food insecurity, as limited income forces difficult choices between housing, healthcare, and adequate nutrition.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The prevalence of “working poor” families underscores the need for economic growth that provides living wages and decent work, not just employment.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The 37% figure points to substantial economic inequality within the community, a core issue addressed by this goal.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article directly addresses poverty by stating that “37% of Putnam County families were living below the poverty line or were the working poor.” This aligns with the primary goal of SDG 1, which is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The mention of the “working poor” and the ALICE acronym (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) connects the issue to employment. It implies that even though people are employed, their work is not “decent” enough to provide a sustainable income, which is a core concern of SDG 8.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article highlights a significant economic disparity within Putnam County, where a large portion of the population (37%) struggles financially while others do not. This focus on the economic status of a specific group relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

   The article’s focus on families “living below the poverty line” and the use of the ALICE threshold as a measure of the “working poor” directly relates to this target. The ALICE framework is a specific methodology for defining poverty in its local and national dimensions, going beyond just the federal poverty line.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

   The identification of a large group of “working poor” implies a lack of “decent work.” These individuals are employed, but their income is constrained and insufficient to meet basic costs, as calculated by the United Way. This points to a gap in achieving decent work for all members of the workforce.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.

   The article highlights the economic exclusion of 37% of families in the county. Being “Asset Limited” and “Income Constrained” prevents these families from fully participating in the local economy, which is a direct challenge to the goal of economic inclusion for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.

   The article provides a direct measurement for this indicator at a local level: “37% of Putnam County families were living below the poverty line or were the working poor.” This statistic is a clear measure of the proportion of the population experiencing poverty.

2. Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

   The United Way’s ALICE threshold is presented as a specific, nationally-relevant definition that captures a dimension of poverty beyond the official federal line. The 37% figure, which includes those below the ALICE threshold, serves as a measure for this indicator, reflecting poverty in its broader dimensions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lohud.com