Workers Urged to Access Benefits

The Buffalo News reports that Gov. Paterson is convening a number of Town Hall meetings throughout the state to discuss and take comments from the community about the state’s efforts to streamline applications for benefits, services, and tax credits for low-wage workers in New York.
Read the story here.
While it is great that the process [...]

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Subsidies Provided to Avoid Student Turnover in Schools – Why not Buffalo?

The New York Times published an article today, featuring Flint, Michigan and an innovative approach to reducing student turnover during the school year. The state Department of Human Services is offering a $100/month subsidy to low-income families, allowing them to stay in their current unit and/or avoiding future moves.
“House-hopping” is common in low-income areas, [...]

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Jobless Rate Jumps to 5.5. Percent

The Buffalo News reports today that the US unemployment rate for the month of May was 5.5%. This is higher than economists had anticipated and reflects an increase in payroll cuts for this season.
The increased cost of basic goods and the declining value of the minimum wage has eroded the standard of living for those [...]

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Buffalo’s Poverty and Resurgence Highlighted by International Media

Al-Jazeera, an international news agency, recently did an investigative piece on Buffalo that highlighted poverty and economic development in the city. Local activists from the Coalition for Economic Justice, People United for Sustainable Housing, the Partnership for the Public Good, and Harvest House were all interviewed.
What is notable about this video is the coverage of [...]

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“Laziness”, Homelessness, Panhandlers, and Street Papers

Those who are homeless are often called lazy. It is not uncommon for the Homeless Alliance staff to hear comments like “why can’t they just find jobs?” when we talk about homelessness in the community. Too often, those who are disconnected from the experience of homelessness want to boil it down to the individual while [...]

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Decision to Limit Student Loans hurts Poor Students

Recently, the New York Times reported that several large banks have revoked their backing of student loans to students attending community colleges, for-profit institutions and other less selective and competitive postsecondary institutions. Meanwhile, funding for students attending more selective, public and private, four-year institutions has remained intact and unchanged.

You may be asking yourself at this [...]

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“Obesity in America is Largely an Economic Issue”

…so says the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The journal reported in an article in July 2005 that strategies for nutrition outreach can’t be limited to recommending high-cost, nutrient-dense foods to low income households, but that
The broader problem may lie with growing disparities in incomes and wealth, declining value of the minimum wage, food imports, [...]

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