This project is developing an improved measure of Oregon’s poor, including who they are, where they live, and what policies and programs are doing the most (and least) to lift them out of poverty. The project proposes a rigorous measure of poverty specific to the state of Oregon that overcomes many of the limitations inherent in the Census Bureau's existing measures of poverty. They find major differences in the level of poverty across age and racial ethnic groups and the state's geography. The measure also reports how much poverty is reduced by safety net programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

^{*This study is ongoing or in progress. For the most recent results, see their website or contact the study contact listed below.}