AMES, Iowa -- Nearly one-third of Iowans worry most of the time that their total family income will not be enough to meet expenses and bills in 2008, bringing the struggle to make ends meet to a very personal level, according to a nationwide survey released last week by the Northwest Area Foundation.

Ruth Freeman, Iowa State University Extension specialist, directs the Horizons project in 20 Iowa communities with funding from the Northwest Area Foundation. “Whether due to the depressed housing market, record numbers of home foreclosures, mounting debt or a wavering stock market, the survey shows a majority of Iowa’s residents rated the local economy as only fair or poor. Nearly two-thirds say they are worried the economy will get worse this year,” said Freeman.

The Horizons project started in 2006 in Iowa. “We are fortunate that the Northwest Area Foundation funds this ISU Extension-lead leadership program under way in 20 Iowa communities. In this program ISU Extension helps communities build stronger leaders to address poverty, economic decline and the exodus of young adults,” said Freeman.

The Horizons communities in Iowa are Allerton, Alta, Bedford, Chariton, Corydon, Ellsworth, Elma, Grand Junction, Greenfield, Humeston, Keosauqua, Marble Rock, Morning Sun, Olin, Oxford Junction, Rockford, Sac City, Seymour, Waukon and Woodbine. The communities must have a population of 500 to 5,000 with a poverty rate of 10 percent or greater.

The Northwest Area Foundation poll showed an overwhelming number of Iowans say their concerns about people struggling to make ends meet will be an issue in this year’s elections.

• Eighty-four percent say they will probably vote in the November election.
• Eighty-nine percent think it is important for elected officials to help those who are struggling.
• Seventy-seven percent say they will take that belief with them to the voting booth.

Iowans hold out hope

For three straight years the surveyed have said they believe the number going through hard times can be reduced.

"A lot of positive things are happening in the community. The school board approved an addition on the elementary school to provide an early childhood center. It's the project that is going to have the most impact on poverty in our community. When we look at where we can have significant impact, quality day care when parents are out working is the biggest thing," said Bruce Weigel, president of People's Savings Bank in Elma, Iowa.

“People are fully aware that the struggle to make ends meet has become harder and more pervasive all around this country,” said Gary Cunningham, vice president of programs and chief program officer for the Northwest Area Foundation. “As significantly, the hope and drive we’ve seen in communities to reduce poverty, build prosperity and take back their destinies, is also borne out in this national poll.”

A likely reflection of the rising cost of living, more people say it takes twice the annual federal poverty threshold of $21,027 to meet basic needs for a family of four. Eighty-two percent of Iowans said they know someone who is working full time, yet is struggling to make ends meet. Fifty-eight percent say they know people who are working two or more jobs and are struggling.

Despite their own personal financial worries, 84 percent of Iowans report they would like to do more to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Among the steps they are willing to take, 61 percent say they would pay $50 more per year in taxes if the money would go to people in their community.

For full details on the national poll, visit http://www.nwaf.org. The Northwest Area Foundation helps communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington reduce poverty for the long term. These states were served by the Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill. In 1934, Hill’s son, Louis W. Hill, established the foundation.

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The Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) commissioned Lake Research Partners (LRP) to conduct a national tracking survey to explore the public’s perception of poverty in one’s own community, attitudes toward the roles of local elected officials, and ways in which to address the issue. The survey was conducted among 4,000 Americans age 18 and older, from Feb. 8-29, 2008. Eight hundred interviews were conducted nationally, and oversamples of 400 were conducted in eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The oversamples were weighted to reflect their true proportion in the country. The margin of error is +/-3.5 percentage points for national and +/-5.0 points for state results. This is the third survey of its kind, replicating studies NWAF and LRP released in March 2006 and April 2007. (The 2006 findings also included a national sample of 800 interviews, but the state oversamples only included 200 interviews in each.)