Page 42 - Poverty Issues News Today

In the first six months of this year, the U.S. saw a significant jump in foreclosure filings, coinciding with concerns about the pressure inflation is putting on homeowners. A national tracking firm recently reported nearly 165,000 U.S. ...

As New Hampshire faces another week of hot, humid temperatures, its residents also are bracing for a dramatic spike in energy bills. As a result of the cost tripling for natural gas used to generate electricity, many customers will see their power bills double starting this month. Patrick McDermott, volunteer vice president of AARP New Hampshires executive council, said its going to make it harder on everyones pocketbooks, especially those with fixed incomes or who are age 50 or older. ...

A new analysis shows big oil companies are much more reluctant to lower gasoline prices when crude prices drop than they are to raise prices when crude costs rise. In one example documented by the group Accountable.US, when crude prices dropped by just over 1% in April, oil companies raised gas prices by nearly 2%. Jordan Schreiber, energy and environment director for the group, said Wyoming consumers might expect prices at the pump to go down as the cost of crude oil drops, but gas prices rem...

Californias new budget expands CalFresh benefits to low-income undocumented people age 55 and older, and now advocates are looking to build on their progress. The Food4All initiative wants to remove restrictions on age and immigration status. Asm. ...

Florida small businesses looking for financial help often have limited options, but there is a new opportunity for assistance. A group of community lenders created the Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund (SOAR), to help small companies and nonprofits recover from the impacts of the pandemic. SOAR loans are available up to $100,000, with an interest rate fixed at 4%, much lower than traditional loans. ...

When school districts are not able to provide summer-school classes, it can have a big effect on how children get meals. Case in point: the Mount Adams School District in the Yakima Valley, where staffing shortages mean about 800 kids wont have breakfast and lunch meal options this summer. Groups like Yakima Valley Partners for Education and the Peacekeeper Society are stepping up to fill the gap, in communities like White Swan and Harrah. ...

A new website is helping Montanans answer tricky legal questions about debt. The Montana Legal Services Association has launched MontanaDebtOptions.org to offer resources for those dealing with consumer debt. Alex Clark, community legal education coordinator for the Association, said the website is designed for any Montanan with a debt question who is afraid of losing income or property due to debt collection. ...

Good heart health is associated with avoiding a range of medical issues. But new research shows only one in five Americans has optimal cardiovascular health. South Dakotas medical community says theres a lot of complexities when considering prevention. ...

Local nonprofits in the Bay Area are tackling hunger in low-income neighborhoods by stocking corner stores and "community fridges" around town with free healthy meals. The HOPE Collaborative in Oakland has received a $5,500 grant to help with this effort, from the Health, Environment, Agriculture and Labor Food Alliance - known as HEAL. Elizabeth Esparza - interim project director at HOPE Collaborative - said people think that hunger needs went down as the pandemic has ease...

An organization in rural Missouri is getting a funding boost to empower workers at meat-processing plants, especially immigrants and refugees, and help them advocate for themselves. The Rural Community Workers Alliance, (RCWA) based in Milan near the Smithfield plant, said it will use a new Rapid Response grant from the HEAL Food Alliance to organize workers, make sure they know their rights in the workplace and advocate for policies that hold companies accountable. Axel Fuentes, executive dir...