Though its numbers change, poverty remains entrenched in the lives of countless families the world over.

Poverty--Then and Now

There's a reason why statistics are sometimes referred to as "the cold, hard facts." The information here compares poverty statistics published in past Habitat World editions with corresponding figures today. The news is grim. Families continue to struggle, and long-term solutions to poverty's problems have been slow to surface. Yet, more than 150,000 Habitat houses around the world stand in silent witness to the progress that occurs when average, concerned people hear the statistics and respond--not with discouraged resignation, but with urgent advocacy and activity.

Then ... In 1991, the life expectancy in Botswana was 60 years; in 1997, it fell to 44. Now ... In 2002, the life expectancy in Botswana, where nearly 40 percent of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS, fell below 40 years for the first time since 1950. Zambia's life expectancy is 33. Throughout Africa, more than 1 million school children lost a teacher to AIDS in 2001.

Not only are children losing teachers, but they're losing parents as well. The United Nations estimates the number of children orphaned by the disease to be approximately 14 million, with 3 million more expected to be orphaned within the next year.

Then ... In 1984, a family of four in the United States was considered "poor" if its income was less than $10,609. Now ... In 2002, a family of four in the United States was considered poor if its income was less than $18,556.

By many accounts, even families earning more than the federal poverty threshold still struggle to afford basic necessities and services such as housing, child care and transportation. The National Low Income Housing Coalition calculates that, on average, a family of four would need to earn more than $30,000 to afford housing at 30 percent of its income.

Then ... Studies in 1991 projected that 40 percent of Africa's population would live in urban areas in 2000. Now ... According to the United Nations, urban areas in Africa accounted for 34 percent of the total population in 2001. However, the majority of people in Africa are expected to live in urban areas by 2025.

Worldwide, urbanization and the rise of mega-cities in developing countries have spotlighted the challenges of providing basic social services at the same rate as population growth, immigration and rural-urban migration. Time-consuming bureaucratic procedures and complex land-ownership policies can lead to the formation of large, informal settlements, where shelters are made of scavenged scrap materials, and services such as water and sanitation are inadequate.

Then ... In 1992, the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta, Ga., was $576 per month; in Denver, Colo., $476; in Austin, Texas, $523. Now ... In 2002, the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta, Ga., was $878; in Denver, Colo., $893, in Austin, Texas, $887.

During the 1990s, the high-tech job industry experienced rapid growth, and due to supply and demand, housing costs in cities with substantial high-tech job growth have escalated to reflect higher salaries in these fields. The U.S. Department of Labor foresees continued growth for jobs such as computer software engineer and network systems analyst. However, these jobs require education and training beyond the reach of most people in poverty. Employment in positions with short-term, on-the-job training--the employment most accessible to individuals working their way out of poverty--invariably pays far less.

--Rebekah Daniel