Families must be able to provide for their needs and make investments in their future. Unfortunately, about 76,000 Idaho kids – or 18 percent – live in poverty (income below $24,339 for a family of two adults and two children). Children who live in poverty are most at risk for falling behind their peers and not achieving their full potential. For children to thrive into adulthood, families need to be economically secure. This means parents need access to affordable housing, good jobs, community supports and the ability to invest in their children’s future. Family economic security increases the likelihood of positive outcomes in child health, school performance and attainment and future employment.
We lead the Idaho Asset Building Network, a group focused on ensuring families have the opportunities and support to achieve long-term financial security. We are also currently creating the Idaho Housing Affordability Coalition, a new network to address the growing problem faced by many families of securing affordable housing.
