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The Tribe

by Steven Zeswitz

March, 2010

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Transiency is part of the landscape of survival for some low-income residents of New Haven, Connecticut.

Twenty seven percent of New Haven’s children live in families below the poverty level, despite the state’s renowned wealth. In February 2009, 30 to 40% of foreclosure notices in New Haven went to those who did not own the property. These statistics are particular to concentrated low-income areas such as “The Tribe.”

The repercussions of the foreclosures are passed from the landlords onto the tenants, neighbors, and the residences as a whole. Family shelters are forced to prepare extended waiting lists to the large influx of displaced tenants; many rely on the welfare of family and friends. The neighbors of abandoned properties watch as the building is looted and ultimately become havens for narcotics.

The rates of children seized by social services are likely to increase, which is one avenue I’m currently investigating. The ratio of wages ranges from the 90th percentile to the 10th percentile, according to “Connecticut’s Voices for Children’s” 2009 annual.

This leaving Connecticut the 7th most marginalized state.