The Geography Of Poverty And Service Provision

On average, poor populations in urban centers have greater spatial access to social services than poor populations living in suburban areas, according to a new Brookings report.

1 minute read

August 19, 2004, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

Greater proximity to social service providers is thought to increase the likelihood that eligible individuals in need will receive assistance. Using three cities-Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington-as examples, this paper by Scott Allard analyzes the shifting geography of concentrated poverty and its impact on access to social services.

Among the findings:

While spatial access to social service providers is greatest in central city areas, potential demand for services is also much greater in central city areas than in suburban areas.

The location of social service providers does not always match well to the changing demographic compositions of cities.

High poverty central city tracts with large percentages of Hispanics are located within the greatest proximity to service providers.

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Access to Social Services: The Changing Urban Geography of Poverty and Service Provision

Monday, August 16, 2004 in The Brookings Institution

Social / Demographics United States

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