Reply to Poverty level is $140,000 for a family. Really.

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Reply to "Poverty level is $140,000 for a family. Really."

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you read the article, he's gotten criticism for starting with a poverty measure and modifying it into the minimum income to be middle class. That makes more sense as an HHI below $140k is going to seriously impact budgeting expenses in the DC area, but it's pretty ludicrous to imply that you'll struggle to meet basic needs like food or clothing at this level. It does make sense as a threshold for getting some type of housing assistance as becoming a homeowner at this income in DC is going to be close to impossible. [/quote]
You can absolutely struggle to meet the basic need of safe and adequate housing once you factor in all other expenses. [/quote]

I'm curious- how much do you think is needed per month for "safe and adequate" housing for a family of four per month?
 [/quote]
Depends on where they work and live. For a very basic two bedroom apartment in Baltimore, $1200/month minimum, plus utilities. Closer to $1400 for water, electric, gas, sewer, and trash. 
Apartments that are less than this typically are income restricted, so that eliminates most working middle class.
I remember trying to find an apartment in 1998. I made roughly $30,000 a year. I had just graduated college. I could not find an apartment in my price range that wasn’t income restricted, but I made too much to rent from them. Ultimately, I ended up going in with two other people to rent a townhome. That’s not an issue for a single person, for a couple with children, they should be able to find a safe and affordable place without needing to take in additional people.[/quote]

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