Still Wondering Why Poverty Can Be So Tough to Escape?

In order to be economically self-sufficient in Birmingham,

a single adult with no children needs to earn $8.09 per hour to be able to meet his/her basic needs.

a single parent with one child must earn $12.91 per hour.

a single parent with two children must earn $15.20 per hour.

two adults with two children must each earn $9.69 per hour.

Source: The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Alabama, February, 2003. A Study Prepared for the Arise Citizens’ Policy Project. (www. arisecitizens.org)