The number of children living in poverty in Connecticut has increased by 50% since 1990 according to a new report released, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Housing costs in Connecticut is a major reason. Over 40% of children in Connecticut are living in families that spend at least 30% of their income on housing. This places Connecticut at the bottom of all states in this category.
Another factor is the percentage of children living in neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty. That number has nearly doubled since 1990. In 1990 it was one in five children, but this year the report finds that it is now one in three children.
However, the 2014 KIDS COUNT Data Book does indicate that Connecticut’s children have improved significantly in education since 1990. Graduation rates and test scores have seen double-digit percentage increases. And the state ranks first in the nation in the number of children who attend preschool.
For the complete report, log on to the Annie E. Casey Foundation website at www.aecf.org.
And for more information on helping close the nutrition gap for kids during the summer visit: www.endhungerct.org.