Publications

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External Publication
To determine how many households struggle to meet the Real Cost Measure, the authors’ demographic analysis compares household income data to basic needs budgets for over 1,200 household configurations for each of California’s 58 counties, and up to 19 adults in a household.
External Publication
To determine how many households struggle to meet the Real Cost Measure, the authors’ demographic analysis compares household income data to basic needs budgets for over 1,200 household configurations for each of California’s 58 counties, and up to 19 adults in a household.
External Publication
This update of the Real Cost Measure seeks to assess the true costs of living in California and the hardships households face in meeting them in 2021.  Authors found that one in three households (33%, representing 3.5 million families) earn below the Real Cost Measure (RCM).
External Publication
This update of the Real Cost Measure seeks to assess the true costs of living in California and the hardships households face in meeting them in 2021.  Authors found that one in three households (33%, representing 3.5 million families) earn below the Real Cost Measure (RCM).
External Publication
The author explores why SSI/SSP is such an important resource for Californians with low incomes — particularly for older women and people of color — and why state policymakers should reinvest in the program that helps people pay for their basic needs.
External Publication
The author explores why SSI/SSP is such an important resource for Californians with low incomes — particularly for older women and people of color — and why state policymakers should reinvest in the program that helps people pay for their basic needs.
External Publication
The report, which references the Elder Index, seeks to measure the real costs of living in California's communities and increase awareness and understanding of the hardships families face in meeting them.
External Publication
The report, which references the Elder Index, seeks to measure the real costs of living in California's communities and increase awareness and understanding of the hardships families face in meeting them.
Fact Sheet
Almost one-quarter (24.2 percent), or 655,000 California adults ages 65 and older living alone or with only their spouse/partner had a 2013 income above the federal poverty level (FPL) but below the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index), according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey.
Fact Sheet
Almost one-quarter (24.2 percent), or 655,000 California adults ages 65 and older living alone or with only their spouse/partner had a 2013 income above the federal poverty level (FPL) but below the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index), according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey.
Policy Brief
Over three-quarters of a million (772,000) older Californians are among the “hidden poor" ― older adults with incomes above the federal poverty line (FPL) but below a minimally decent standard of living as determined by the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index) in 2011. This policy brief uses the most recent Elder Index calculations to document the wide discrepancy that exists between the FPL and the Elder Index.
Policy Brief
Over three-quarters of a million (772,000) older Californians are among the “hidden poor" ― older adults with incomes above the federal poverty line (FPL) but below a minimally decent standard of living as determined by the Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index) in 2011. This policy brief uses the most recent Elder Index calculations to document the wide discrepancy that exists between the FPL and the Elder Index.
Policy Brief
This policy brief looks at the financial burdens imposed on older Californians when adult children return home, often due to a crisis not of their own making, to live with their parents. The findings show that on average in California, the amount of money that older adults need in order to maintain a minimally decent standard of living while supporting one adult child in their home increases their expenses by a minimum of 50 percent.
Policy Brief
This policy brief looks at the financial burdens imposed on older Californians when adult children return home, often due to a crisis not of their own making, to live with their parents. The findings show that on average in California, the amount of money that older adults need in order to maintain a minimally decent standard of living while supporting one adult child in their home increases their expenses by a minimum of 50 percent.
Policy Brief
Grandparents over the age of 65 who are raising grandchildren are a small but extremely vulnerable population in California. These older adults usually become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren after an unexpected event. They are further faced with the financial challenge of having an additional dependent without additional income.
Policy Brief
Grandparents over the age of 65 who are raising grandchildren are a small but extremely vulnerable population in California. These older adults usually become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren after an unexpected event. They are further faced with the financial challenge of having an additional dependent without additional income.
Policy Brief
This policy brief highlights results from a survey of a broad sample of the California legislature on their data and information needs, as well as their familiarity and use of various economic measures. It finds that legislative staff most often use the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) when they are making recommendations about policy and evaluating programs for low-income populations. Yet the FPL does not meet most of the criteria for economic data that legislative staff say they want.
Policy Brief
This policy brief highlights results from a survey of a broad sample of the California legislature on their data and information needs, as well as their familiarity and use of various economic measures. It finds that legislative staff most often use the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) when they are making recommendations about policy and evaluating programs for low-income populations. Yet the FPL does not meet most of the criteria for economic data that legislative staff say they want.
External Publication
The longstanding "wealth gap" between people of color and whites has actually worsened in recent decades. The ongoing foreclosure crisis has disproportionately affected black and Latino families while budget cuts are crippling vital services for seniors. 
External Publication
The longstanding "wealth gap" between people of color and whites has actually worsened in recent decades. The ongoing foreclosure crisis has disproportionately affected black and Latino families while budget cuts are crippling vital services for seniors.