We want to share a National Public Radio story (August 22, 2016) recognizing the 20th anniversary of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), which highlights Central City Concern’s (CCC) opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. Amber’s story of treatment for her addiction disorder and bringing her family back together is inspiring. Oregon is lucky compared to other states who haven’t supported the TANF program as well.
Of
course, we were thrilled to get national recognition for CCC and Oregon’s strong programming to help families. The strength of Oregon’s support
to needy families is, in part, due to the good work of the Oregon TANF Alliance*, a consortium of agencies. This alliance works with the Oregon
legislature and the Oregon Department of Human Services to ensure the TANF program reaches every eligible family for the federally allowable time-limit
of 5 years, protecting thousands of children from the most extreme form of family poverty: zero income. Without this cash benefit, as well the
childcare expenses and the supportive case management services covered by TANF, thousands of families would be living on Portland’s streets.
We were greatly relieved—for our own clients as well as for families across the state—that TANF funding was maintained and improved
during the 2016 legislative session. It remains crucial to provide families with a firm pathway out of poverty and toward a more stable income—and
TANF plays a major role in that support. Every day, CCC supports TANF families through treatment, housing and employment services. And we will
continue to fight for TANF families both here in Oregon and at the federal level. Today, an Oregon family has to earn at or below a paltry
37 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for TANF cash assistance; that’s down from 59 percent when the program began in 1996. For
a deeper understanding of TANF in Oregon over the past 20 years, we suggest a review of this recent blog post from the Oregon Center for Public Policy
.
CCC collaborates with many others to fight poverty and end homelessness; it makes us stronger and more effective. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Oregon TANF Alliance to help families in Oregon stay together and safe.