What is Poverty?
Poverty by Definition
The state of one who lacks a sufficient amount of money or material possessions : the state of being poor specifically: the state of one whose income is below the poverty line.
The Office of Poverty Reduction was created to reduce poverty in the Chattahoochee Valley by 50% over the next 10 years.
The federal government defines poverty as a household whose annual income falls below the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau based on family size and composition. These thresholds are updated annually and serve as the nation's official measure for understanding the prevalence of poverty and informing public policy.
The Office of Poverty Reduction exists to help change that reality across the Chattahoochee Valley. Housed within the Chattahoochee Valley Poverty Reduction Coalition, we bring together nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, faith leaders, and residents to create coordinated, long-term solutions that address the root causes of poverty.
Our work focuses on strengthening economic mobility, expanding access to opportunity, and building systems that help individuals and families move toward lasting financial stability. Through collaboration, data-driven strategies, and community engagement, we are working to reduce poverty across our region and ensure every person has the opportunity to thrive.
At CVPRC, we know poverty is only part of the story. Across the Chattahoochee Valley, many working individuals and families are doing everything “right” and still struggling to afford the basics. These are households living paycheck to paycheck, earning above the federal poverty level but still falling short of what it actually costs to cover housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and other essential needs.
That’s where ALICE comes in.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and represents a large but often overlooked group of people in our communities who work hard, keep our local economy running, and still face impossible financial choices every month. Understanding ALICE helps us paint a fuller picture of economic hardship in our region and gives us the data, language, and urgency needed to advocate for real solutions.
By using ALICE data alongside community voices and local partnerships, CVPRC works to raise awareness, strengthen collaboration, and support strategies that move families from surviving to stability. Because reducing poverty means addressing the full reality of financial hardship, not just the part we’ve traditionally measured.
