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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U.S. gives $65 million to help Florida families keep homes
The federal government is distributing $65 million to Florida counties to help local families stay in their homes. The large sum of federal money comes from the American Recovery and Re-Investment Act. Households that make less than 50 percent the median income are eligible for assistance. The money can help pay rent, utilities and security deposits for up to 18 months. The aid has been met with taxpayer dissatisfaction.
Original story
Labels: American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, Florida
Syracuse, N.Y., shelter provides services to runaway, homeless teens
The Booth House is an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless teens. Operated by the Salvation Army, the house puts as many as five adolescents in each bedroom, with no more than two teens to a bathroom. It provides services for 12-to 17-year-olds with immediate housing 24 hours a day. It also provides services such as family counseling, mediation, case management, homebound schooling, living skills training and recreation services.
Original story
Labels: Booth House, homeless, homeless teens, Salvation Army, Syracuse
Denver Mayor Seeks $2.3 Million to Aid Homeless
Despite the city’s financial woes, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wants the city council to approve $2.3 million in aid for the homeless. Advocates hold that the plan to create 500 new apartments and increased welfare programs will pay back later, but critics contend that it is providing the homeless with housing isn’t a city responsibility. The city has been forced to lay off 176 employees and delay pay raises.
Original story
Labels: apartments, Denver, homeless, John Hickenlooper, welfare
Nashville Police Ask to Close Tent City
Nashville police are instructing the city’s Homeless Commission to limit the number of homeless people at Tent City and work on shutting down the site. The crime rate of the surrounding area has increased significantly, leading police to believe that the homeless population, which swelled from four to over 80 in the past year, is to blame. Homeless advocates, however, argue that pushing the homeless back onto the streets will keep them from necessary services.
Original story
Labels: homeless, Homeless Commission, Nashville, tent city
Dallas SoupMobile provides more than a hot meal
David Timothy, who runs the SoupMobile, , a nonprofit organization that hands out food on the streets, wanted to do more for the homeless than merely providing a hot meal. Timothy had a vision for a supportive housing program called SoupMobile Village. Now with the help of donors, Timothy bought a townhome in northwest Dallas where some SoupMobile clients can live.
Original story
Labels: Dallas, David Timothy, SoupMobile
Local program in Oregon places homeless in apartment complex
Rogue Retreat is running a program in this southern Oregon city that provides housing for the homeless. Many residents of its apartment complex are victims of unemployment, illness, or domestic violence. The organization conducts inspections to ensure that apartments are well-maintained, with no alcohol or drug abuse occurring inside the residences. Residents must pay 30 percent of their income, which includes money received from government programs.
Original story
Labels: apartment complex, homeless, homeless housing, Oregon, Rogue Retreat
Analysts fear effects of recession on children
As economists gingerly declare the recession over, some officials caution that its true impact has not yet hit. Some 800,000 U.S. children entered poverty in 2007 and 2008 alone. Studies show that growing up poor has lifelong consequences, making kids more likely to struggle in school and end up in trouble with the law. Childhood obesity is also a risk as families rely on cheaper foods. Programs to confront the effects of poverty are straining and unable to cater to the full range of need.
Original story
Labels: Children, poverty, recession
Nursing homes reeling from budget cuts
As the baby boomers edge closer to needing long-term care, government spending cuts are threatening to damage the country’s nursing home industry. Combined with the recession, these cuts are forcing homes to lay off workers, reduce services, and close their doors. Nearly 1,800 homes closed from 1999 to 2005. With President Obama proposing to trim $313 billion from Medicaid and Medicare, experts fear these closures are just the beginning of more to come.
Original story
Labels: government spending, Medicaid, Medicare, nursing homes, recession
Florida bank offers hope with new program
In today’s uncertain economic times, homelessness increasingly takes the average person by surprise. Florida-based BankAtlantic is doing something to help: it has unveiled its “Homeless to Homeowner Program” designed to help people who have lost their homes secure enough money for a fresh start. Each dollar the enrollee saves is matched by two dollars from Bank Atlantic. Advocates of the program say the self-esteem it engenders is just as important as its financial benefits.
Original story
Labels: BankAtlantic, chronically homeless, Florida, Homeless to Homeowner Program
Under-employed in Washington State collect unemployment benefits
Washington State’s Shared Work program allows employers to cut by up to half the hours worked by full-time employees while letting hourly workers make up the difference by collecting unemployment benefits. The program has grown to 42,000 workers this year, more than six times more than the previous year. Many companies that are not thriving in the economy choose Shared Work instead of losing skilled employees completely.
Original story
Labels: Shared Work, unemployment benefits, Washington state
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