1. Portrait of Poverty in Dubuque Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities Spring 2012

2. Project statement Obtain an understanding of poverty in the community
Who are the poor in Dubuque?
What are the barriers to overcoming poverty?
What strategies are best for combating poverty for Dubuque?
Dubuque’s Sustainability Model

3. Notable Research Components
Secondary Data Review
Census
BLS
DCSD
Etc.
Community Feedback
Service provider survey (n=24)
Resident focus groups
Community questionnaire (n=98)
DCSD stands for “Dubuque Community School District”
Photo source: Authors

4. Notable Research Components
Affordable Housing Suitability Map
Population / demographic projections
Affordable housing model (GIS)
Transportation accessibility study
Successful programs and best practices from comparable communities
Map/Model Source: Authors

5. SWOT Analysis
Image Source:

6. Strengths Low poverty and unemployment
This graph does not compare Dubuque poverty to the city and the state. It compares employment, and shows the state poverty rate as a reference trend.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

7. Strengths Strong network of social & community services
Source: Authors’ survey of service providers

8. Strengths From community feedback . . . Good place to raise a family
Active faith community
Strong sense of heritage
Photo source: Authors

9. Weaknesses Spatial segregation by income Poverty Rate by
Census Tract (2000)
Source: US Census Bureau 2000

10. Weaknesses
Spatial segregation by income, cont’d

11. Weaknesses
Disproportionate poverty rates for women, children, African Americans, and Latinos
Source: American Community Survey

12. Weaknesses Fragmentation of services
Service providers stretched thin, especially for mentally ill and the homeless
Limited job opportunities for low-skilled workers
Barriers to civic participation
Transportation
Language
Choice of media (website, newspaper, radio, TV, etc.)
Insularity

13. Opportunities Economic renaissance Sustainable Dubuque
Increasing coordination among service providers
MFC – “bonding and bridging”
Increasing diversity / tolerance
Proximity to higher education institutions
Photo source: Authors

14. Threats Rising housing costs
Percent of cost-burdened* renters by Census Tract
Margins of error for Census long form data are hard to find, and many scholars simply disregard them and take it as a given that the numbers are estimates.
*Cost-burdened = Paying ≥30% of gross income on housing costs (rent + utilities)
2000
Source: US Census Bureau 2000

15. Threats Rising housing costs, cont’d
Percent of cost-burdened renters by Census Tract
“Estimates” is the operative word
2009
Source: American Community Survey Estimates

16. Threats Change in service needs as population ages
Data source: Iowa Data Center 2010

17. Threats Recession and changes in state/federal policy
Source: Authors’ survey of service providers

18. threats Gentrification Strain on schools from increased child poverty
Newcomers and minorities feeling unwelcome
Lack of awareness of Sustainable Dubuque; perception that it does not serve the poor

19. Recommendations
Increase outreach efforts to attract low and moderate-income civic leaders
Make successful programs a high funding priority
Bridges out of Poverty
Multicultural Family Center

20. Recommendations Invest in key programs with deficiencies
Mental health services (e.g. Builders of Hope)
Transportation (e.g. vanpools)
Partner with local higher education institutions to fill gaps
Expand Sustainable Dubuque services for low and moderate-income residents
Home energy efficiency upgrades
Indoor air quality
Recycling at multifamily apartments
A few agencies have been successful in providing both housing and on-site staff support to meet the needs the mentally ill in a transitional housing situation. Builders of Hope ( located in Iowa City, Iowa, has purchased homes around the community, where persons with extensive mental health issues rent rooms in a cooperative housing environment together. Residents do not have 24-hour supervision, but support staff meet with residents individually to assist them with tasks around the home: medication management, transportation, social/recreational opportunities, and money management.
Note: The Sustainable Dubuque Initiative encompasses Green Iowa AmeriCorps (GreenCorps), a residential energy efficiency program, while the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative addresses indoor air quality.
Photo source:

21. Questions ?