Summary - A Community Specific Living Wage for Green Bay

The concept behind a living wage policies is simple. The still standing Federally set minimum wage of $7.25/hr is
normally not enough for a person to access basic housing is most areas. The financial factors that play into this vary
yearly, and from one area to another.

The national average family size, consists of a family of four (two children). The following US federal poverty
guidelines come from the US Dept. Of Health & Human Services at; "http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/" The US federal poverty
guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds. The poverty thresholds are somewhat arbitrary as they
were created in the 1960's by multiplying a minimal food budget by three and has since been adjusted for inflation.

For the most part, food stamp, and other government assistance program eligibility ends when your income exceeds
the poverty level by 30% or more. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes and
determines Fair Market Rents, based on national housing costs and a number of other financial factors. Their
guidelines suggest no more than 30% of a persons gross monthly income should be spent on housing.

The HHS Poverty guidelines + 30% is considered the standard national living wage, based on a 40 hour work
week.

The Universal Standard Living Wage is the amount of income and resources needed for a family of four to
adequately meet the basic needs without assistance. This includes; Food, Housing, Transportation, Utilities,
Childcare, Taxes, and Healthcare. It does not include; Savings, Restaurant meals, Funds for emergencies, or
Renters' insurance. (When it comes to housing costs this usually equates to a two bedroom apartment.)

The easiest way to calculate an area specific living wage is find the cost of living difference for your area using a
cost of living comparison chart such as the quarterly data provided by ACCRA, a non-profit research organization
for community and economic development. This chart/data is usually available from your local chamber of
commerce.

It should be noted that there are no actual known living wage policies or campaigns for the Green Bay, WI area.
Eau Claire County, Dane County, Madison, and Milwaukee County appear the be the only areas in Wisconsin with
policies. (see: "http://livingwagecampaign.org") Also see: "http://www.universallivingwage.org"

The system describe above based of the poverty thresholds does not hold a lot of merit. Health care and
transportation costs as well as housing have all skyrocketed. Using the above system with basis that is over 40
years old is unrealistic. For example in many areas you will find that the HUD's Fair Market Rent's are not strictly
being followed.

The EPI (Economic Policy Institute www.epi.org) family budget calculator has become well accepted by many. It's
credibility generally supercedes the above system because they explain the family budget methodology and it takes
into account present day financial factors.
 Family of Nat. Difference Green Living
Four HHS Living from Bay Wage
Poverty Wage National
index
Year Guidelines + 30%= $/hr average Annual $/hr
average
1996 $15.600 $20,280 $9.75 98.1 1.9% $19,895 $9.56
1997 $16,050 $20,865 $10.03 97.2 2.8% $20,281 $9.75
1998 $16,450 $21,385 $10.28 97.5 2.5% $20,850 $10.02
1999 $16,700 $21,710 $10.44 99.0 1.0% $21,493 $10.33
2000 $17,050 $22,165 $10.66 99.4 0.6% $22,032 $10.59
2001 $17,650 $22,945 $11.03 95.8 4.2% $21,981 $10.57
2002 $18,100 $23,530 $11.31 96.0 4.0% $22,589 $10.86
2003 $18,400 $23,920 $11.50 96.3 3.7% $23,035 $11.07
2004 $18,850 $24,505 $11.78 95.1 4.9% $23,304 $11.20
2005 $19,350 $25,155 $12.09 92.3 7.7% $23,218 $11.16
2006 $20,000 $26,000 $12.50 93.8 6.2% $24,388 $11.73
2007 $20,650 $26,845 $12.91 93.3 6.7% $25,046 $12.04
2008 $21,200 $27,560 $13.25 92.4 7.6% $25,465 $12.24
2009 $22,050 $28,665 $13.78 NA NA NA NA

Compare 2003 to adjacent areas: Compare 2008 to adjacent areas:

100% Difference Living 100% Difference
2003 Living Wage
composite from Wage composite from
index national $/hr index national $/hr
average average
Clintonville 84.1 15.9% $9.67 81.4 18.6% $10.78
Denmark 88.5 11.5% $10.18 86.7 11.5% $12.20
Marinette 84.0 16.0% $9.66 82.5 17.5% $10.93
New London 87.9 12.1% $10.11 83.5 16.5% $11.06
Oconto Falls 86.3 13.7% $9.92 81.8 18.2% $10.84
Peshtigo 87.1 12.9% $10.01 85.2 14.8% $11.29
Pulaski 90.7 9.3% $10.43 87.5 12.5% $12.07
Seymour 87.9 12.4% $10.11 88.4 11.6% $11.71
Shawano 87.6 12.4% $10.07 83.1 16.9% $11.01
Wrightstown 92.7 7.3% $10.60 98.0 2.0% $12.99

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, 7.4% of the families in Green Bay were living below the poverty level in 2000. The percentage
was even higher (10.5) for individuals. Six years later, those percentages have to be rising.
 EPI Basic Family 2002* 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007* 2008
Budget
Calculator
Green Bay, WI -
2 Parents, 2 $15.32/hr $15.88/hr $16.45/hr $17.00/hr $17.56/hr $18.11/hr $23.38/hr
Children
Breakdown:
Monthly housing $530 $541 $553 $564 $576 $587 $671
Monthly food $510 $525 $541 $556 $572 $587 $643
Monthly child $710 $721 $732 $743 $754 $765 $1191
care
Monthly $222 $253 $283 $314 $344 $375 $404
transportation
Monthly health $215 $238 $262 $285 $309 $332 $373
care
Monthly other $320 $320 $320 $320 $320 $320 $316
necessities
Monthly taxes $150 $155 $160 $164 $169 $174 $454
Monthly total $2,657 $2,753 $2,851 $2,946 $3,044 $3,140 $4,052
Annual total $31,884 $33,036 $34,212 $35,352 $36,528 $37,680 $48,624

Percentage of all people in state living below family budget line in 2007 was 18%