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Many people in the Metropolitan Columbus area are not aware that 16.9% of Muscogee County’s population lives in poverty. (The Georgia County Guide, 2005-2006 Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, UGA, Athens GA)  Poverty for a family of three is $16,090. (Federal Register (Volume 70, Number 33)   Keep in mind that a minimum wage ($5.85/hr) position has a yearly income of $12,168.

 Fair Market Rent is based on a formula where 60% of renters pay more for rent and utilities and 40% pay less, as set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Fair Market Rent for Columbus, Georgia:

 $498 for a one bedroom

*          An income of $19,950 is required or an hourly wage of $9.59 at 40 hours a week.
*          At the current minimum wage of $5.85 a person would have to work 66 hours a week.             

 $570 for a two bedroom

*          An income of $22,800 is required or an hourly wage of $10.96 at 40 hours a week.
*          At the current minimum wage of $5.85 a person would have to work 75 hours a week.

 $758 for a three bedroom

*          An income of $30,300 is required or an hourly wage of $14.57 at 40 hours a week.
*          At the current minimum wage of $5.85 a person would have to work 100 hours a week.

Think about this...  

Yearly Gross Income of $16,090 or a Monthly Gross Income of        $ 1,340.83

Minus Taxes                        $    160.00 =  $1,180.00

Minus Rent AND Utilities  $    648.00 =   $  532.00

child care needed to work ($68 per week)                  Minus Child Care                  $    272.00 =   $ 260.00

                                                                                                                            $260.83

There is now $260.83 for groceries, toiletries, transportation and health care a month.  Depending upon the family’s assets they might qualify for food stamps and will need to complete the application process.   In the meantime the family must visit the food pantries in the area.  But even food pantries have rules about the frequency of visits so they must have a plan to make sure they don’t visit the same one within the forbidden time period.  They can’t even think about getting sick; they can’t afford to visit the doctor’s office or even to purchase over the counter medications.  Unless they live within walking distance from their place of employment and day care center, they must pay for public transportation or pay for vehicle maintenance and gasoline.  In this situation the family is one illness, a vehicle breakdown, a missed paycheck, or several months of high utility costs away from becoming homeless.