Suburban Poor? Are You Sure?

Brookings Institute's “Confronting Suburban Poverty” is generating a lot of buzz. Community development leaders and planners took to Rooflines to voice opinions and critiques of the book, moving its authors to submit a response that you must read.

1 minute read

June 12, 2013, 2:00 PM PDT

By bstanley


Confronting Suburban Poverty in America was released a few weeks ago, and the Internet has been abuzz with responses to it. One thing many agree with authors Elizabeth Kneebone and Alan Berube on is that suburban poverty is on the rise. Actually, it's exploded significantly over recent years, and federal policies are not equipped to meet the growing challenges. 

On Rooflines, the Shelterforce blog, planning professor J. Rosie Tighe gave some praise to the book, noting that it does stress the importance of the perception of poverty in this country in shaping how it's addressed. Joe Kreisberg, offered a critique of the book that included its flawed definition of "suburban" and assertion that federal anti-poverty programs to date have been too "place based".

So what do the authors have to say about all of this? Well, for one, defining "suburbs" was a difficult task that they confronted carefully, being sure to reflect on the range of experiences and diversity among such locales. Interested in what else they had to say? Head over to the growing conversation on Rooflines.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in Rooflines

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.