Citation

Ward J. Am. City Cty. 1997; 112(5): 28-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Penton Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the impact that welfare reform is likely to have on cities and counties across the United States. Three major obstacles are listed as barriers to moving people off welfare and into jobs: childcare, affordable housing, and public transportation. With the exception of New York and Chicago, public transportation in the U.S. does not meet the needs of much of the current welfare population. This, coupled with the fact that many jobs have moved out of the cities and into the suburbs where transit problems are even more significant, will make it more difficult for people to reach potential employers. Some major corporations around the country are instituting shuttle bus services that run from the inner city to a job site several times per day. Chicago is promoting a reverse commuting service with passenger vans that run from suburban commuter rail stations to nearby companies.