What Is Concentrated Poverty?
“Concentrated poverty” describes neighborhoods where a large share of residents live below the poverty line — not just individuals, but entire blocks, streets, or census tracts. When poverty becomes common across an area, it creates structural barriers: underfunded schools, limited access to healthy food, weak infrastructure, fewer jobs, and constrained opportunity.
This structure is not about individual blame — it’s about design. And design can be changed.
Why It Matters in Hartford & New Haven
In cities across Connecticut, including Hartford and New Haven, concentrated poverty isn’t an anomaly — it’s a reality affecting many neighborhoods.
- In Hartford, more than a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.
- In New Haven, many households face similar economic pressures, with a median household income far below wealthier ZIP codes in the state.
- Statewide, Connecticut shows a stark divide — strong wealth in some ZIP codes, deep poverty in others — exposing how inequality defines opportunity in our state.
When nearly whole neighborhoods are under economic pressure, residents don’t just struggle individually — community conditions suffer: school quality, housing, food access, public safety, and health all become compromised.
That’s why we believe in addressing poverty as a place-based problem, not just an individual one.
What the Campaign Is
End Concentrated Poverty Now is a movement rooted in education, community, and dignity. We’re not a one-time protest or a charity. We are a public awareness and community engagement campaign with a simple goal: make concentrated poverty visible, bring it into public conversation, and build a shared commitment to change.
Our message is consistent, respectful, and powerful:
- End Concentrated Poverty Now
- See It. Name It. Fix It.
- Your Neighborhood Matters.
- Concentrated Poverty Is a Design Problem.
- 1 in 3 Deserves Better.
Why It Matters in Hartford & New Haven
We believe change starts with understanding. Our work includes:
Neighborhood Outreach
- Distributing simple, clear literature that explains what concentrated poverty is and why it matters.
- Canvassing and neighborhood conversations — not door-to-door sales, but thoughtful dialogue about community needs.
Visibility & Presence
- Posting yard signs, flyers, and informational materials in targeted corridors.
- Using real neighborhood photos and honest language to reflect lived reality.
Digital Engagement & Storytelling
- Sharing community stories, neighborhood photos, and campaign updates through social media and web platforms.
- Making educational materials accessible online — so the message reaches beyond sidewalks and street corners.
Community & Institutional Collaboration
- Working with local faith groups, community organizations, small businesses, and other neighborhood anchors.
- Respectfully engaging institutions that already serve residents to broaden awareness and support.
We don’t claim to have all the solutions — but we believe proper awareness, clarity, and community voice are the first steps toward real change.
How You Can Get Involved
You don’t need a special title or resources to join this movement. Here are simple steps:
- Volunteer with us — help with outreach or distribution
- Ask for materials for your block or building
- Host or join a community conversation about neighborhood conditions
- Share our message on social media or among friends and family
- Follow our updates and stay connected
Change begins when people see the issue, talk about it, and act together.
How You Can Get Involved
We commit ourselves to:
- Dignity — treating every person with respect
- Clarity — presenting honest information, without exaggeration
- Community — lifting up neighborhoods, not individuals only
- Consistency — keeping the message steady across cities and time
- Shared Responsibility — believing this is a community issue, not just one family’s burden
We don’t promise all the answers — but we promise a platform for truth, conversation, and collective action.
To get involved, contact us HERE