The greater Mesquite area is a growing, active and vibrant community. The City of Mesquite and surrounding area has seen a surge in population growth since 1990. However, with this population growth there often comes an increase in issues typically associated with poverty and families commonly termed “the working poor.” As growth within large communities such as the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex increases, there is typically a shifting of needs, as problems related to poverty, traditionally seen in the inner city, move to the suburbs.
Some of these changing needs are associated with a segment of the population often termed the “working poor,” economically challenged and/or disadvantaged. These families generally live paycheck to paycheck, working low-wage jobs and barely staying one step ahead. While typically self-sustaining from month to month, crisis strikes these families when unexpected and uncontrollable events occur. These events may be as significant as the loss of a job, injury, illness, birth, death or automobile problems. However, for some of these families, smaller events, such as a child being sick can push the family into crisis for the month; as not only has a parent missed a day’s wages but the family is often faced with the expense of a doctor’s visit and medication. Events such as these may push the family over their limited financial resources and place them in the face of crisis, unable to pay their basic rent/mortgage and/or utility expenses and placing them at risk for food insecurity and hunger. When such events occur, these families are often forced to seek assistance from outside agencies to supply their basic and essential human needs.

Local Poverty Indicators and Needs Assessments are available at the following sites:
www.unitedwaydallas.org
www.dallasindicators.org
www.ntfb.org