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.
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Economic downturn saving marriages and money
The troubled economy is prompting unhappy couples to stay together instead of turning to divorce. In a time of stagnant salaries, plummeting home values and rising jobless numbers, many couples cannot afford the costs associated with divorce. While expenses might otherwise be covered by selling a home, the weakened real-estate market leaves couples with liabilities instead of assets. Typically, divorce rates rise in times of economic struggle, but the severity of the 2008 economic crisis is reversing that pattern.
Original story
Labels: divorce, economic downturn, real-estate market
Homeless ordered out of makeshift huts
Homeless residents of a wooden hut community were ordered by the city of Des Moines to vacate their makeshift homes after one of them burned down, injuring a man sleeping inside. City officials say the huts are fire hazards and plan to tear them down after their residents leave. One homeless advocate said the makeshift homes are no less safe than cardboard boxes.
Original story
Labels: homeless, homeless huts
Health care jobs unaffected by rising unemployment
Although joblessness is up in the Portland region, health care employment remains unaffected. The area reports a loss of 11,500 jobs between October 2007 and October 2008 while healthcare companies added 3,500 jobs. That pattern is expected to continue. With jobless rates up, fewer people have insurance, but this does not translate into hospital staff cuts, in part because of support from Medicare and Medicaid.
Original story
Labels: health care employment, Portland
Forced holiday savings
The economic downturn is causing families to cut back on presents and festivity expenses for this holiday season. Some families that previously gave generously to charities are finding themselves recipients of donations. While limiting holiday expenditures can be humiliating, some families revert to the principle that simpler is better, and are forgoing holiday niceties to buy gifts for their children.
Original story
Labels: economic downturn, holiday spending
Economic survey shows recession in the Midwest and Plains
The primary index from the Mid-America Economic Survey for November shows a score of 37.7, while any score below 50 on the 100-point index indicates economic contraction for the next three to six months. Economists say the recession in the Midwest and Plains States is comparable to that of 1981-82. The survey also found the business confidence index, the prices-paid index (a gauge of wholesale inflation) and the unemployment index had all worsened.
Original story
Labels: Mid-America Economic Survey, Midwest, Plains, recession
Changes in Indiana welfare system aim to cut workload
Under a modernization program, Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration introduced a call center system and Web-based applications in 2007. But welfare recipients complain of missed interviews, lost paperwork and dropped benefits. Last week, the agency announced changes to ease the burden on the system by scaling back interview requirements and application questions. Some worry the system is still overloaded and understaffed.
Original story
Labels: child welfare, Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, phone interviews
Ohio welfare programs expect big cuts
Ohio expects cuts of more than $300 million next year as the state runs out of extra federal welfare money. The number of Ohioans needing job training, cash assistance, food stamps, and subsidized health care is on the rise, but shrinking state revenues are forcing budget cuts. County agencies are laying off workers and reducing discretionary services such as job-training and work-support programs. Ohio spends 132 percent more on child care than it did a decade ago, squeezing money from other efforts.
Original story
Labels: budget cuts, cash assistance, child care, federal welfare, food stamps, job cuts, Ohio
Unemployed check out of paper and into plastic
Unemployed people in Maryland will receive their benefit checks in the form of debit cards. The cards not only will save taxpayers $400,000 but will enable beneficiaries to avoid time delays, check-cashing fees, and potential thefts associated with paper checks. Managed by Citigroup, the cards have a two-year expiration and can be used anywhere that Visa cards are accepted, without additional fees.
Original story
Labels: Citigroup, Debit cards, unemployed
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