The Dispersal of Poverty Changes our Region
Document Actions
Citing data from CLF's Regional Equity Atlas, the Portland Tribune recently ran a front-page story about the shift of poverty from inner Portland to neighborhoods and cities in East Multnomah County and its impacts on our region.
Skyrocketing housing prices continue to reshape our region, and hurt those who are most vulnerable. Entitled, "Dispersal forms 'doughnut,'" the Tribune's story explains how social services, churches, the city and communities are responding to the shift in where our region's low-income people are living as a result of rising housing costs. The article uses data from the Regional Equity Atlas to demonstrate the shift between 1990 and 2000 with sharp examples: Northeast Portland's Woodlawn neighborhood experienced a 40% decrease in the number of people in poverty, while Gresham's Rockwood neighborhood saw a 140% increase in the number of poor people. The full story describes some of the impacts of these demographic shifts, how the community is responding and what's falling through the cracks. 
Flabby City, Fit City