American poverty just ain’t what it used to be. A new report from the Census Bureau found that 80.9% of households considered poverty stricken have cell phones along with their landline phones, and 58.2% have computers. 96.1% of those in “poverty” have televisions, and 83% have some sort of DVR.
The percentage owning refrigerators? 97.8%
Gas or electric stoves? 96.6%.
Microwaves? 93.2%
Air conditioning? Over 83%.
Washer? 68.7%
Dryer? 65.3%
People still don’t mind washing dishes, apparently; only 44.9% surveyed had a dishwasher.
Refrigerators, stoves, air conditioning, and to an extent, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, and dryers are all included in even the lowest rent situations. In some places you cannot legally rent out a house or trailer without these basics. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that people in poverty have these items - unless they are truly homeless.
Having access to these items does not mean you OWN them.
And, as a landlord myself - I know when they break down who is expected to fix them (and right now).
