99 Blocks: The Benches: Downtown Belongs To Us All
Good article (and discussion, in the comments) about benches and homeless people in downtown Greensboro: 99 Blocks Magazine – The Benches: Downtown Belongs To Us All.
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policy
IRC director speaks about Guilford County budget plan to eliminate funding request for homeless day center
Via News & Record, 04/23/2012: “Alex Santos didn’t expect to be homeless before he was 30. Then, in the past few years, the 28-year-old lost his job, his wife and his home all in a row — the pillars of his life falling like dominoes. He’s one of hundreds who … > read more
DGI nixes Hamburger Square benches which could have attracted “undesirable homeless”
Hamburger Square park on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro is being spruced up. A DGI-led task force has made intentional design decisions to discourage homeless people from using the park. And they’re making that decision public: “Elizabeth Link, the city’s urban designer, created the landscape design for the park. … > read more
Greensboro’s Mary’s House homeless ministry files federal lawsuit against State of NC
Mary’s House is a faith-based ministry providing shelter; transitional and permanent housing; and supportive services for women in recovery from substance abuse. On Friday, 02/17/12, Mary’s House, Inc. and eight current or former residents of its Greensboro shelter filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Middle District of … > read more
Homeless people in Forsyth County want to be involved in local decision-making process
“Decisions about the homeless have, for years in Forsyth County, been made mostly by well-meaning people who have never spent a night on the street. Today, a group of homeless and formerly homeless people will try to change that. The Homeless Caucus, a group formed by the community-organizing group CHANGE, … > read more
Increasing contempt for the poor will not go unpunished by God
One of the most disturbing effects of the US recession is the increasingly public and brazen contempt for the poor shown by many who begrudge them any form of government assistance. The disrespect, derision and condescension for the poor that is so often displayed during political discussions is being justified … > read more
Greensboro Housing Authority maintenance budget cut 25%
From Fox8: The Greensboro Housing Authority has had its maintenance budget cut for the first time in its history. Congressional budget cuts have taken $1 million out of the budget, which is 25 percent of the entire maintenance budget, said Don House, chief operating officer for the Greensboro Housing Authority. … > read more
Drug court: Budget cuts will cost taxpayers more $$
“A new study says that drug treatment courts, which state legislators cut funding for in the recent budget, are effective at reducing crime and drug use. Drug courts also saved an average of nearly $5,700 per participant, resulting in a net benefit of $2 for every $1 spent, according to … > read more
Proposed Social Security rules change threatens benefits of seriously mentally ill people
From Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Action Alerts: “The Social Security Administration (SSA) has proposed changes to the way decisions are made for awarding disability benefits based on a mental impairment. These changes will threaten the ability of people with serious mental illnesses to obtain benefits…. The changes appear … > read more
Moses Cone VP Tim Clontz on Guilford County health care cut
Via email, from Tim Clontz, Executive Vice President, Health Services, Moses Cone Health System. Posted with permission: Moses Cone Health System and High Point Regional Health System want to continue providing care to underserved adults and children in Guilford County and have been negotiating a contract to do so for … > read more