As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, it’s crucial to shift our focus to an often-overlooked segment of the American population: the poor.
At present he is surrounded by Billionaires, and big business types. On the campaign trail, both he and Vice-President Kamala Harris spoke frequently about assisting the middle class. However, there was very little mention of those living in poverty who continue to struggle.
Trump has an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of Americans by implementing targeted policies to alleviate poverty.
One area where Trump can make an immediate difference is in affordable housing. His experience in real estate development could be leveraged to address the housing crisis facing low-income families. By reducing building and land-use regulations, Trump could stimulate housing market development, increasing supply and potentially lowering costs through competition
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is another tool at Trump’s disposal. During his previous term, Trump temporarily raised the CTC from $1,000 to $2,000 per child and expanded the income cap to make more families eligible. Making this policy permanent could provide crucial support to working families struggling to make ends meet. However, Trump should consider extending this benefit to unemployed parents as well, recognizing that poverty often creates barriers to employment.
While Trump has advocated for repealing Obamacare, it’s essential that any replacement plan ensures affordable access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families
