Mostly summarized from Gregory Mankiw’s Principles of Economics, 5th Ed.
PART 6 The Economics of Labor Markets
Chapter 20 of 36 Income Inequality and Poverty
Section 17 of 20
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Here we review some of the options policymakers consider to reduce poverty and provide a safety net:
· minimum wage laws
· welfare
· negative income tax
· in-kind transfers
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In-kind transfers
One way to help the poor is directly provide them with some goods and services.
Charities widely provide the needy with food and shelter.
Though the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) the government gives poor families “food stamps,” which are government vouchers used to buy food at stores.
The government also gives the needy healthcare through the Medicaid program.
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There is a debate about whether it is better to help the poor with these in-kind transfers or with direct cash payments.
Advocates for in-kind transfers argue such transfers ensure the poor get what they need most.
Among the poor, alcohol and drug addiction is more common than in overall society.
By providing food and shelter rather than cash, society can be confident it is not helping to support such addictions.
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Advocates for cash payments argue in-kind transfers are inefficient and disrespectful.
The government does not always know what goods and services the poor need most.
Most of the poor are currently victims of circumstance (e.g. skill rendered unneeded by new technology) and not addicted to alcohol or drugs.
Despite their misfortune, they know best how to raise their own living standards.
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Grok:
The primary U.S. government programs for providing shelter to low-income individuals and families are administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Public Housing:
Local agencies own and operate affordable units for about 1 million extremely low-income households (≤30% of area median income or poverty line), where residents pay 30% of their income toward rent.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8):
Provides tenant-based rental subsidies to over 5 million people in 2.3 million households (incomes ≤80% AMI (area median income), with most ≤30% AMI), covering the difference after residents pay 30% of income for private-market housing.
Homeless Assistance Programs, includes:
-Continuum of Care grants funding shelters, rapid rehousing, and supportive services
-Emergency Solutions Grants for short-term aid and targeted vouchers like HUD-VASH for veterans
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victims of circumstance
jōkyō no gisei-sha
状況の犠牲者
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