Just a few weeks ago, Ward 8 District Councilmember Marion Barry held a DC Council hearing on "eliminating poverty in the District of Columbia." More than 120 people signed up to testify, and the hearing stretched into two days. People seem to care about reducing poverty in DC.

The same week, another council hearing focused on the deaths of the four children of Banita Jacks' and on the failings of the District government in the case. While the two hearings were in many ways very different, there was a lot in common. The Jacks family had suffered from homelessness, untreated mental illness, substance abuse and inability to pay its bills. They were poor. Poverty didn't kill the children, but it did contribute to the family's instability.

Many people rightly are asking whether the four girls would be alive today if DC government had done its job better. But I also wonder what life would have been like for this family, and for thousands of other distressed families, if our city did a better job of addressing poverty and helping poorcommunities.

That may sound naïve and idealistic. Yet across the country, states and cities are making bold new commitments to cut poverty — or even eliminate it — over the next decade. DC should do the same. And just like the other states that are turning words into actions, I hope the District will use the opportunity of the upcoming budget to put some new anti-poverty initiatives in place, including an idea I have for a pilot program (see below).

The Cost of Poverty in DC
One of five DC residents lives in poverty, which means less than about $17,000 annually for a family of three. Earnings for DC's poorest workers have been flat (after adjusting for inflation) for nearly 30 years, while our top earners have benefited handsomely. DC's poverty rate has increased by one-third since 2000, as 27,000 more residents fell into that abyss.

This affects all of us. A forthcoming report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and DC Appleseed shows that poverty costs the District economy nearly $2 billion every year, in lower productivity, higher health costs and crime. We also know that the stresses of poverty contribute to substance abuse, child neglect and school failure.

Taking a Stand to Reduce Poverty
Almost two years ago, the DC Council passed legislation to create a commission on poverty, but Mayor Fenty spent a year in office without naming anyone to it. Now, six of 21 members have been named. You may think that task forces are a dime a dozen and a waste of time, but I have seen some make a big difference. The Thornton Commission in Maryland was a catalyst for major K-12 education investments in that state. Here in DC, a 2006 Housing Strategy Task Force led to results within months – the creation of several new programs and new funding streams. The Washington Interfaith Network has used the housing task force report to get Mayor Fenty to pledge the largest increase in affordable housing funding in the city's history.

Maybe that's why Fenty is slow to appoint the Poverty Commission…

Setting a Target for Poverty Reduction
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair gets credit for renewing the idea that poverty is something that can and should be tackled. He declared that his country would cut child poverty in half by 2010 (and eliminate it by 2020). Believe it or not, it has worked; child poverty has fallen. Setting a target and creating an inspiring vision led disparate agencies work together to address the common goal.

This idea has started to catch on in the US – in places like Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont and Minnesota. DC should be next in line. I don't care what the exact target is – 25 percent in five years, 50 percent in 10 years. We should just do something. A self-imposed challenge to do better by our neediest residents would be an inspiration and rallying cry for the entire city. And it's perfect for Mayor Fenty, who virtually begs residents to hold him accountable for tackling our toughest issues.

Getting Started Now: An Idea for a Pilot Program to Reduce Poverty
So let's say the Poverty Commission gets up and running and a poverty reduction target is set. Is our job done?

Of course not. We know enough already to get started before any commission report is completed. Tackling poverty is complicated and costly, although DC already has many tools in place. My suggestion is to start small by picking one community to test a holistic approach. Some key elements would be:

Start by listening to the community. What do they say they need the most? Then try to provide it, whether it’s after-school programs, job training or child care.

Bring in helping hands. There are proven methods of identifying families in need before their problems get out of hand, including home visiting programs for parents with young children. The District should place trained and sensitive staff in the community to work with community leaders and to help reach out to families in need.

Offer services on demand. Too often, people seeking help for services such as substance abuse training are told they’ll have to come back the next day. But by the time someone reaches the top of wait list, it may be too late. The pilot program would need enhanced authority to provide services promptly. While it may be unfair to give one community this kind of priority, it would be a really important test of whether having access to services makes a difference.

Help families stay together and remain financially secure. Anti-poverty policies need to strengthen families to succeed. This means access to services like substance abuse where children can remain with their parents or job programs that pay families while in training.

A community-focused approach could help ensure that the resources DC provides for a wide-range of services work together and complement each other.

If we’re truly committed to making sure every child has a stable home, isn’t this worth a try?