New Yorkers living in poverty

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/nyc-poverty_n_5240355.html

        "Poverty is a problem that is particularly striking in the city's Asian population, which has surpassed Hispanics as the city's poorest group, according to a new report conducted by the Center for Economic Opportunity. The study revealed 45.6 percent of New Yorkers are barely making ends meet, even with more adults working full-time since the recession. A combination of low wages, rising rents, and a lack of benefits is largely to blame. city comptroller Scott Stringer released a study showing just how unaffordable the city has become, with the median rent in New York City rising a staggering 75 percent from 2000 to 2012. The annual study also showed significant shifts within racial and ethnic demographics. As the report indicates, the poverty rate of Asians and Hispanics were "statistically identical" in 2008, at 22.4 percent and 23.5 percent, respectively. But by 2012, the rate surged to 29 percent for Asians, more than 3 percent higher than Hispanics. The data paints a startling image of the city's Asian population and specifically non-English speaking members in the Asian immigrant community, many of whom struggle to gain access to basic government-funded programs that aim to provide economic relief.

 The racially diverse borough experienced the highest jump in poverty in the city from 2008 to 2012 -- an increase that is only expected to worsen as more Brooklyn residents flock to Queens in search for cheaper rents.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has promised to increase language assistance initiatives throughout the city, a push advocates say will aid in reducing income inequality by helping non-English speaking New Yorkers seek benefits. Over the past year, the city has also discussed allowing non-citizens to vote in municipal elections."

Poverty has become a great issue in our city. Many sleep homeless every night, wonder if there will be another meal, and struggle to find something to cloth themselves. We often take what we have for granted but could you ever imagine having to sleep on the cold concrete while struggling to find change during the day? Location and ethnicity have a huge role in poverty. It is a struggle for those who do not speak English because they can not ask the government or aid programs for help. Seeing that this issue was brought to the mayors attention will hopefully result in a decrease in the rise of poverty rates. It's sad to see these homeless men and women as I nonchalantly walk through New York. The worst part is some of the people begging for money are fake, some will use the money to purchase drugs  and alcohol, and some are actually depending on the money for things they need. Rather than giving them our spare change we should go to the nearest food cart and buy them lunch. Although we can not give them a house or new life, we can start by filling there stomachs and maybe even buying them clothing. If we contributed to those truly in need, even with small donations, our rates and their lives will slowly start to increase.