What does it mean to be poor

This post came out from The New Paper (24 April 2016)

About the study
To design solutions for the poor and get low income Singaporeans to help lead the study, the researchers formed an advisory committee made up of 10 men and women from low income communities.
The Centre for Culture-Centred Approach to Research and Evaluation then launched an online campaign to raise awareness on poverty here. Research assistant Naomi Tan says: This is where we argue that the community members, in this case the low income, are in the best position to identify and define the problems they face and the corresponding solutions that would actually be impactful and relevant to them.

The study found:

• Low income Singaporeans either live in interim or public rental housing. Some are homeless.
• They have a monthly household income of $1,500 or less. Some are on Public Assistance, which ranges from $450 to $1,180 each month and has a set of eligibility criteria.
• They are unable to afford healthcare as they do not have enough savings or do not earn enough.
• Some of the elderly, despite having children, are struggling to get by.
• They suffer from food insecurity, so they eat cheap but non nutritious food. They cut down on the number of hot meals a day, worry if there is enough food in the house and are choosing to not spend their limited cash on healthier food.

Challenges faced by the poor

• Although the resources to help are available, the poor do not know how to get information on what they are eligible for or how to get to the relevant agencies.
• Another significant hurdle is the submission of an application that is according to the requirements set out by the agencies. Many from the low income group find the stringent conditions tedious and frustrating.
• Stigma and alienation from relatives and the community at large hinder the poor from seeking the help needed.
• The Government has set up safety nets, such as Medifund, for low income individuals who face health problems. Despite these efforts, they still cannot afford healthcare due to insufficient savings or a low wage. 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big