This blog is a place for journalists to discuss their experiences covering poverty. It works in tandem with onpoverty.org, a site run by Washington and Lee University's American Poverty Journalism Center.
Archives
3/2/08 - 3/9/08 3/9/08 - 3/16/08 3/23/08 - 3/30/08 3/30/08 - 4/6/08 4/27/08 - 5/4/08 6/15/08 - 6/22/08 7/20/08 - 7/27/08 8/17/08 - 8/24/08 9/21/08 - 9/28/08 10/5/08 - 10/12/08 10/12/08 - 10/19/08 10/19/08 - 10/26/08 10/26/08 - 11/2/08 11/2/08 - 11/9/08 11/9/08 - 11/16/08 11/16/08 - 11/23/08 11/30/08 - 12/7/08 1/11/09 - 1/18/09 1/18/09 - 1/25/09 1/25/09 - 2/1/09 2/1/09 - 2/8/09 2/8/09 - 2/15/09 2/22/09 - 3/1/09 3/1/09 - 3/8/09 3/8/09 - 3/15/09 3/15/09 - 3/22/09 3/22/09 - 3/29/09 3/29/09 - 4/5/09 5/3/09 - 5/10/09 9/20/09 - 9/27/09 9/27/09 - 10/4/09 10/4/09 - 10/11/09 10/18/09 - 10/25/09 10/25/09 - 11/1/09 11/15/09 - 11/22/09 Current Posts
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Waiting for refuge after the storm
11/18/2008 JAMES C. MCKINLEY JR. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Hurricane Ike left several thousand Texans homeless. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has installed 1,000 mobile homes in some of the hardest-hit areas, such as East Texas and Galveston Island, but over 1,500 families are still waiting for their units to arrive. While some are forced to live in trailers with unhealthy amounts of formaldehyde while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt, still others resort to tents because they do not qualify for the mobile homes.
Original story
Hurricane Ike left several thousand Texans homeless. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has installed 1,000 mobile homes in some of the hardest-hit areas, such as East Texas and Galveston Island, but over 1,500 families are still waiting for their units to arrive. While some are forced to live in trailers with unhealthy amounts of formaldehyde while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt, still others resort to tents because they do not qualify for the mobile homes.
Original story
Labels: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, homeless, hurricane ike, Texas
New military veterans hit hard by economy’s woes
11/17/2008 LIZETTE ALVAREZ THE NEW YORK TIMES
The recent economic downturn is hitting new veterans, especially the wounded, particularly hard. While Congress is taking steps to help, the veterans still face special problems finding work. Of those who can work, statistics show that one-quarter of veterans who find employment make less than $21,840 a year, while the injured rely on disability checks and government payouts. Few employers are willing to make accommodations for physical and mental problems.
Original story
The recent economic downturn is hitting new veterans, especially the wounded, particularly hard. While Congress is taking steps to help, the veterans still face special problems finding work. Of those who can work, statistics show that one-quarter of veterans who find employment make less than $21,840 a year, while the injured rely on disability checks and government payouts. Few employers are willing to make accommodations for physical and mental problems.
Original story
Labels: new veterans, unemployment
Hospitals in a bind waiting for Medicaid payments
11/19/2008 DEBRA PRESSEY THE NEWS-GAZETTE.COM URBANA, ILL.
Illinois hospitals have not been paid since August for the care they provided for patients on Medicaid. Unpaid medical claims to hospitals and other medical providers totaled $1.6 billion as of last week. According to Illinois Hospital Association, hospitals may not be paid for up to a year. With supply costs rising, borrowing options narrowing, and patients unable to pay bills, hospitals are having to cut expenses and, in some cases, employees.
Original story
Illinois hospitals have not been paid since August for the care they provided for patients on Medicaid. Unpaid medical claims to hospitals and other medical providers totaled $1.6 billion as of last week. According to Illinois Hospital Association, hospitals may not be paid for up to a year. With supply costs rising, borrowing options narrowing, and patients unable to pay bills, hospitals are having to cut expenses and, in some cases, employees.
Original story
Labels: hospitals, Illinois Hospital Association, Medicaid, unpaid medical claims
For homeless Hawaiians, life is no day at the beach
11/19/2008 ZAHID ARAB KHNL8.COM HAWAII
There are nearly 15,000 homeless people in Hawaii, and up to 42 percent are employed full-time, yet still unable to keep up the high cost of living. As many as 130 people sleep in the Haleiwa Boat Harbor parking lot each night and travel to the beach during the day. Leading factors causing homelessness include injuries and medical problems, which lead to unemployment. The homeless Hawaiians feel trapped and ignored with nowhere to go.
Original story
There are nearly 15,000 homeless people in Hawaii, and up to 42 percent are employed full-time, yet still unable to keep up the high cost of living. As many as 130 people sleep in the Haleiwa Boat Harbor parking lot each night and travel to the beach during the day. Leading factors causing homelessness include injuries and medical problems, which lead to unemployment. The homeless Hawaiians feel trapped and ignored with nowhere to go.
Original story
Boys & Girls Club provide refuge for needy children
11/19/2008 PATTI ZARLING GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE GREEN BAY, WIS.
The greater Green Bay, Wis., area is seeing an increase in homeless and hungry children. Social workers of the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay's University Avenue location have noticed more children whose families struggle to pay rent and put food on the table. The Boys & Girls Club focuses on character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, sports and recreation and art.
Original story
The greater Green Bay, Wis., area is seeing an increase in homeless and hungry children. Social workers of the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay's University Avenue location have noticed more children whose families struggle to pay rent and put food on the table. The Boys & Girls Club focuses on character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, sports and recreation and art.
Original story
Labels: Boys and Girls Club, development programs, homeless children
Donations from Wal-Mart feed food banks’ needs
11/18/2008 STEPHANIE STROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to donate more than 90 million pounds of fresh food annually to Feeding America, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization addressing hunger. The gift will continue beyond the immediate crisis and the company will not seek a tax deduction. Wal-Mart also provided money to buy freezer trucks and prepare food banks for the increased volume of food. Wal-Mart employees were sent to build shelving and install lighting.
Original story
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to donate more than 90 million pounds of fresh food annually to Feeding America, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization addressing hunger. The gift will continue beyond the immediate crisis and the company will not seek a tax deduction. Wal-Mart also provided money to buy freezer trucks and prepare food banks for the increased volume of food. Wal-Mart employees were sent to build shelving and install lighting.
Original story
Labels: Feeding America, food banks, Wal-Mart
Unreliability of elevators now something to rely on
11/16/2008 MANNY FERNANDEZ THE NEW YORK TIMES
The elevators in the Wagner Houses in East Harlem are the worst in the city’s public housing system, with 2,132 breakdowns in the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years. The 5,000 residents of the 22-building housing complex have experienced inconvenience, injuries and even deaths due to elevator malfunctions.
Original story
The elevators in the Wagner Houses in East Harlem are the worst in the city’s public housing system, with 2,132 breakdowns in the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years. The 5,000 residents of the 22-building housing complex have experienced inconvenience, injuries and even deaths due to elevator malfunctions.
Original story
Labels: elevator malfunctions, public housing system, Wagner Houses
Church files lawsuit for housing homeless
11/17/2008 MICHAEL A. FUOCO PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE PITTSBURGH, PA.
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing a local Pittsburgh-area government for refusing to allow the First Apostles Doctrine Church to house homeless as part of their Just for Jesus Challenge outreach ministry. Brookville Borough allegedly claimed that providing shelter to the homeless violated the municipality's zoning code, and cited the church’s minister for housing three homeless men.
Original story
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing a local Pittsburgh-area government for refusing to allow the First Apostles Doctrine Church to house homeless as part of their Just for Jesus Challenge outreach ministry. Brookville Borough allegedly claimed that providing shelter to the homeless violated the municipality's zoning code, and cited the church’s minister for housing three homeless men.
Original story
Labels: American Civil Liberties Union, homeless, Just for Jesus Challenge, zoning code
Oregon eyes public works projects to address job losses
11/17/2008 KGW.COM PORTLAND, ORE.
The unemployment rate in Oregon has increased to 7.3 percent, up almost a full percentage point from September. Gov. Kulongoski called for more state-funded projects in transportation and computer and electronic manufacturing, and plans to include more than $1 billion in capital construction and public works in his next budget. Construction unemployment is down 13.1 percent since July 2007.
Original story
The unemployment rate in Oregon has increased to 7.3 percent, up almost a full percentage point from September. Gov. Kulongoski called for more state-funded projects in transportation and computer and electronic manufacturing, and plans to include more than $1 billion in capital construction and public works in his next budget. Construction unemployment is down 13.1 percent since July 2007.
Original story
Labels: long-term unemployment, Oregon, state-funded projects
Food stamps left on the table
11/16/2008 JANET ELLIOTT HOUSTON CHRONICLE via CHRON.COM AUSTIN, TEX.
Half of eligible Houston residents are not receiving food stamps, at a cost to the local economy of $164 million, according to an anti-hunger group. Even though the number of Harris County beneficiaries increased by 62 percent between May 2003 and May 2008, Houston still has only a 51 percent access rate, among the lowest of the 24 urban areas surveyed by the Food Research and Action Center .
Original story
Half of eligible Houston residents are not receiving food stamps, at a cost to the local economy of $164 million, according to an anti-hunger group. Even though the number of Harris County beneficiaries increased by 62 percent between May 2003 and May 2008, Houston still has only a 51 percent access rate, among the lowest of the 24 urban areas surveyed by the Food Research and Action Center .
Original story
Labels: food stamps
Deficits force states to make cuts
11/16/2008 JENNIFER STEINHAUER THE NEW YORK TIMES LOS ANGELES
California faces an $11 million deficit this spring on top of the $15 billion hole in the state budget from two months ago. California is not alone, though, as other states struggle to address increasing deficits due to the national credit crunch, decreased consumer spending, the crisis in the financial markets, and the mortgage crisis. Fewer than a dozen states have remained in the black this fiscal year. States vary on how to address deficits, but plans include budget cuts, tax increases, and other forms of cutting back.
Original story
California faces an $11 million deficit this spring on top of the $15 billion hole in the state budget from two months ago. California is not alone, though, as other states struggle to address increasing deficits due to the national credit crunch, decreased consumer spending, the crisis in the financial markets, and the mortgage crisis. Fewer than a dozen states have remained in the black this fiscal year. States vary on how to address deficits, but plans include budget cuts, tax increases, and other forms of cutting back.
Original story
Labels: budget cuts, deficit, financial crisis, mortgage crisis, tax increase
Freddie Mac preschool threatened by economic downturn
11/17/2008 BRIGID SCHULTE WASHINGTON POST
The Child and Family Network Center provides free preschools for needy children at six locations in Alexandria and Arlington County. The schools remain open with money from the Freddie Mac Foundation, and are now threatened with closure because of funding cuts. Since the government took over financial giants Freddie Mac and Frannie Mae — the source of its $250,000 grant — the preschools seems to have few options.
Original story
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Child and Family Network Center provides free preschools for needy children at six locations in Alexandria and Arlington County. The schools remain open with money from the Freddie Mac Foundation, and are now threatened with closure because of funding cuts. Since the government took over financial giants Freddie Mac and Frannie Mae — the source of its $250,000 grant — the preschools seems to have few options.
Original story
Labels: Child and Family Network Center, Freddie Mac, preschool
Health care and education cuts meet opposition
11/10/2008 JEREMY W. PETERS THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York Gov. David Paterson expects to request deep cuts in money for schools and Medicaid, and might even try to renegotiate labor contracts, but those affected plan to put up a fight. The United Federation of Teachers warned against cutting financing midyear, and hospitals likewise plan to resist further cuts. Plugging the expected $1.5 billion deficit will be nearly impossible without support from teachers unions and hospital groups.
Original story
New York Gov. David Paterson expects to request deep cuts in money for schools and Medicaid, and might even try to renegotiate labor contracts, but those affected plan to put up a fight. The United Federation of Teachers warned against cutting financing midyear, and hospitals likewise plan to resist further cuts. Plugging the expected $1.5 billion deficit will be nearly impossible without support from teachers unions and hospital groups.
Original story
Labels: David Paterson, new york, school budget cuts
Scarce employment affects many
11/08/2008 ERIK ECKHOLM THE NEW YORK TIMES
The economic crisis is hitting the working poor and younger job seekers hardest. With fewer jobs available, the working poor are being squeezed out of their jobs by mid-range income employees whose jobs have been taken by overqualified college graduates. Teens 16-19 are seeing fewer jobs available. Jobs in cyclical industries such as construction, manufacturing of durable goods, retail trade, and hotels have also been reduced.
Original story
The economic crisis is hitting the working poor and younger job seekers hardest. With fewer jobs available, the working poor are being squeezed out of their jobs by mid-range income employees whose jobs have been taken by overqualified college graduates. Teens 16-19 are seeing fewer jobs available. Jobs in cyclical industries such as construction, manufacturing of durable goods, retail trade, and hotels have also been reduced.
Original story
Labels: job market, mid-range income, working poor
Albany Rescue Mission feeds more needy
11/08/2008 DELIVRINE REGISTRE WALB.COM ALBANY, GA.
The Albany Rescue Mission is feeding over 7,500 people, with numbers still rising due to the failing economy. While many of the diners have jobs, they are still short of money for food. The mission is serving three meals a day, 365 days a year to the public and is working to provide other services to help those in need and help them get back on their feet.
Original story
The Albany Rescue Mission is feeding over 7,500 people, with numbers still rising due to the failing economy. While many of the diners have jobs, they are still short of money for food. The mission is serving three meals a day, 365 days a year to the public and is working to provide other services to help those in need and help them get back on their feet.
Original story
Labels: Albany Rescue Mission, free meals
Low-income housing in Pittsburgh gets second chance
11/11/2008 MARK BELKO PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
Local officials have devised a rescue plan to prevent foreclosure on Wood Street Commons in Pittsburgh. The housing complex was expected to default on a $200,000 mortgage payment next month, which would have put 260 low-income people in danger of losing their homes. The rescue plan includes provisions to use $2.6 million to pay off the mortgage and $1.6 million to cover operating deficits for two years.
Original story
Local officials have devised a rescue plan to prevent foreclosure on Wood Street Commons in Pittsburgh. The housing complex was expected to default on a $200,000 mortgage payment next month, which would have put 260 low-income people in danger of losing their homes. The rescue plan includes provisions to use $2.6 million to pay off the mortgage and $1.6 million to cover operating deficits for two years.
Original story
Labels: low-income housing, Wood Street Commons
More needy, more help
11/11/2008 PAMELA H. METAXAS THE REPUBLICAN NEWSROOM
Food banks in western Massachusetts are seeing an increasing number of new faces this holiday season. Several food pantries throughout the area report more people serving more meals to the needy, as well as an increase in the numbers of people receiving Thanksgiving turkey dinner bags. While there is a greater need for donations, food drives and other measures are being taken in order to feed the hungry.
Original story
Food banks in western Massachusetts are seeing an increasing number of new faces this holiday season. Several food pantries throughout the area report more people serving more meals to the needy, as well as an increase in the numbers of people receiving Thanksgiving turkey dinner bags. While there is a greater need for donations, food drives and other measures are being taken in order to feed the hungry.
Original story
Labels: food banks, food drives
Homes for vets come equipped with support services
11/10/2008 ROBERT L. JAMIESON JR. SEATTLEPI.COM
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing offers Section 8 housing vouchers to homeless vets and their families. The program has been around nationally since the early 1990s, but it has remained dormant until recently. King County and Seattle housing authorities, in partnership with the regional Veterans Affairs office, awarded 100 new vouchers under the program. The program combines housing with tailored support services that aid health issues, disabilities, addictions, and financial hardships.
Original story
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing offers Section 8 housing vouchers to homeless vets and their families. The program has been around nationally since the early 1990s, but it has remained dormant until recently. King County and Seattle housing authorities, in partnership with the regional Veterans Affairs office, awarded 100 new vouchers under the program. The program combines housing with tailored support services that aid health issues, disabilities, addictions, and financial hardships.
Original story
Labels: homeless veterans, Section 8 housing vouchers, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
On Poverty.Org is organized by students at
washington and lee university in Lexington, VA.
Supervisor: Prof. Ed Wasserman.
WEBMASTER: Kat Greene. Site Editors: Kat Greene, Melissa Caron.
Marketing DIrectors: Abby SteinBock, Betsy Chaplin.
Technology Supervisors: James Dick, Ilgiz Soubanov