Latino Kids Face Alarming Poverty, Even Amid Rate Decline

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Poverty rates remained much higher among Latino and Black children compared to White children, despite a decline in the overall U.S. poverty rates, according to new Census data.

The overall poverty rate decreased to 13.5% for last year, a drop of 1.2 percentage points and the biggest decline since 1999, UPI reports.

Poverty rates also dropped for Whites, Blacks and Latinos, and children and seniors.

In all, 3.5 million people have risen out of poverty.

“Today’s report from the Census Bureau shows the remarkable progress that American families have made as the recovery continues to strengthen,” according to a joint statement from the White House and other agencies.

But communities of color are still disproportionately affected by poverty, especially children.

The latest child poverty rates are 33.6% among Blacks, 28.9% for Latinos, 12.6% for Asians, and 12.1% for Whites.

These numbers could increase if America fails to adopt an inclusive poverty agenda that specifically considers those who have been excluded historically, while ensuring a basic level of economic security for everyone, according to Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, President and CEO of Center for Global Policy Solutions.

She called for a concerted effort led by policymakers, business people, activists and advocates.

“An inclusive policy agenda would expand and create programs that help families most affected by economic discrimination, drawing on data to guide effective, evidence-based policy,” Rockeymoore said in a statement. “Critically, it would also recognize the need to strengthen Social Security as one of our nation’s most effective anti-poverty programs, especially for children, with special significance for children of color.”