On Being Poor in Utah (Paperback)

Despite Utah's Booming Economy, the number of poor has remained fairly constant, with many of the newly created jobs going to immigrants from out of state. On Being Poor in Utah presents a portrait of Utah's poor and the issues surrounding poverty in the state. It provides a detailed statistical analysis of poverty's causes, varying concentrations of people living below the poverty level, housing and education problems, and health and nutrition issues. A substantial portion of the book is devoted to an analysis of government assistance programs operating in the state, while a final section offers a prescriptive assessment. Intimate and personal vignettes put a real face on Utah poverty -- from homeless men and women to single mothers trying to provide for their children. This in-state "snapshot" provides a much needed reminder that not everyone is participating in the rosy economic picture and should interest lawmakers and all Utahns concerned with the issues affecting the poor in our state.