Center for Poverty Solutions

 Poverty loses when human dignity prevails 

America has lost the War on Poverty. After nearly 60 years and $12 trillion, the poverty rate remains stuck between 11% and 15%. We’ve focused on making poverty more bearable rather than helping people escape a trap that lasts for generations. We’ve created dependence and taken people’s dignity and purpose. There are better ways to treat people, and we will bring free-market solutions to one of the most important policy issues of our time through the Center for Poverty Solutions, starting in Chicago. Together, we can defeat poverty and build self-worth.

How We Serve

The Center for Poverty Solutions works to identify and advance free-market policies that remove barriers to work and empower Chicagoans to move out of poverty and into full-time employment. By conducting original research, fostering partnerships between community leaders and employers and working to turn locally proven solutions into city and state law, the center helps ensure that Chicagoans closest to poverty are leading the drive to reduce it.

Our Work

Our mission at the Center for Poverty Solutions is to reduce poverty in the city of Chicago by 5% by 2033. To accomplish that, the center has built a coalition of community-based organizations, forward-thinking employers and public advocacy groups to connect impoverished Chicagoans with training, opportunities and resources to achieve full-time employment.

What we fight for

The Center for Poverty Solutions fights so every Chicagoan can achieve the American dream. We believe that through the dignity of work, the power of entrepreneurship and the support of community stakeholders, the most vulnerable Chicagoans can achieve independence and flourish.

We are committed to stay and fight for Chicagoans

If you are ready to join us, click below and help support the research, advocacy and community leaders fighting to eliminate poverty in our city.

The Latest

Apprenticeships can be lifeline for 177,000 idle Illinois youth

October 10, 2024 / By Lauren Zuar

Food assistance rises, with nearly 2M Illinoisans getting benefits in June

October 4, 2024 / By Patrick Andriesen

Chicago neighborhoods see unequal housing restrictions

October 2, 2024 / By LyLena Estabine

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

September 26, 2024 / By Joe Tabor

Illinois can boost housing affordability with statewide zoning reform

September 17, 2024 / By Ravi Mishra

Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families

September 5, 2024 / By Ravi Mishra

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

August 29, 2024 / By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

Democratic delegates are gone, but hotel housing should stay

August 23, 2024 / By LyLena Estabine

Chicago’s average rent rises to $2,200, up 46% in 10 years

August 15, 2024 / By Benjamin O'Donnell

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

August 8, 2024 / By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko