Bill Overview
Title: Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides funding through FY2029 to the Department of Agriculture for maintaining a clearinghouse that provides information to assist low-income individuals and communities in obtaining nutrition assistance and related resources.
Sponsors: Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Target Audience
Population: Low-income individuals and communities potentially facing food insecurity
Estimated Size: 40000000
- Low-income individuals and communities are expressly targeted by the bill as they struggle to obtain nutrition assistance and related resources.
- Families who rely on food banks and nutrition assistance programs will be directly impacted by the maintenance of this information clearinghouse.
- The clearinghouse aims to disseminate information which could improve access to available nutritional resources, positively impacting health outcomes.
- Tens of millions of people globally experience food insecurity, indicating a large potential beneficiary group.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy includes low-income individuals and communities facing food insecurity. Thus, the interviews should include a majority of individuals who fit this criterion.
- A portion of the population will not be directly impacted by this policy, as they may already have adequate access to nutrition resources or not rely on nutrition assistance programs.
- Insight into the policy's effects can be illustrated by presenting individual opinions on its anticipated impact.
- Budget limitations for the policy imply that a significant yet not comprehensive portion of the food-insecure population will benefit, possibly impacting the intensity and duration of improvements in wellbeing.
- Long-term effects may vary based on how well the clearinghouse connects individuals to sustainable resources and support.
Simulated Interviews
Part-time Retail Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The clearinghouse sounds promising because I often struggle to find where to get food assistance during tighter months.
- If this makes finding help easier, it could relieve some stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Unemployed (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any additional resources or information are welcome as I navigate my job search and ensure meals for my family.
- I'm hopeful but skeptical about how much it will actually help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Farmer (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to better information could help bring more assistance to our community efforts.
- Right now, it's difficult to coordinate effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I usually have enough food, but new resources could make it easier to budget my meals.
- Might help some of my neighbors more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it might be helpful for quick tips but I'm not sure how much it's going to change my situation.
- Rent is really my biggest issue, not food.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Teacher (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every bit helps these days. Having more knowledge about local food drives might give us more options.
- It would be great if this included help for utilities too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think more organized information might reduce the confusion about where resources are
- Not sure if I'll personally benefit but others might.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cook (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Trying to find good nutrition resources while living paycheck-to-paycheck is difficult.
- If this makes finding them simpler or more efficient, I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Freelance Artist (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowledge is power, and if this clearinghouse provides better insights into the programs available, it's a win.
- The real issue is waiting times and availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Tech Support (Reno, NV)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this clearinghouse as refinement rather than revolution for people in more stable situations.
- It's crucial for the most vulnerable among us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 2: $12300000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14300000)
Year 3: $12600000 (Low: $10100000, High: $14600000)
Year 5: $13230000 (Low: $10500000, High: $15230000)
Year 10: $14450000 (Low: $11000000, High: $16450000)
Year 100: $22000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $26000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy primarily creates a mechanism for enhanced access to existing resources rather than creating new resources.
- Funding period aligns with FY2029, which implies a finite coverage of 7 years unless renewed.
- Success depends on coordination with existing local and national food assistance programs.