A local blogger posted this today: “I noted with interest last week’s report that Winston-Salem has ‘the worst rate of family hunger of any metropolitan area in the nation.’ Yet Twin City kids are fat, a problem that requires Mayor Allen Joines’ urgent attention. I’m having trouble reconciling this problem.” … > read more
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
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
A Circle of Protection: A statement on why we need to protect programs for the poor, signed by more than 50 Christian leaders — Evangelical, Roman Catholic, mainline Protestants, African-American, and Latino: In the face of historic deficits, the nation faces unavoidable choices about how to balance needs and resources … > read more
Melissa Willis is an expert on homelessness. From News & Record: “A cold rain that sometimes turned to sleet throughout the day likely kept people away from corners where they usually panhandle, volunteer Melissa ‘Byrd’ Willis, 25, said. Willis, who was homeless when she was in her teens, said the … > read more
DayMark Recovery Services has been contracted to run the 56-bed Guilford County Substance Abuse Treatment Center on West Wendover Avenue — formerly run by Bridgeway Behavioral Health. From DayMark’s web site: Daymark® Recovery Services, Inc. is a mission driven, comprehensive community provider of culturally sensitive mental health and substance abuse … > read more
At the YES! Weekly blog, Jordan Green is keeping up with the latest proposed changes to the City of Greensboro’s RUCO ordinance, governing inspection of rental units. Housing advocates insist on keeping proactive inspections that protect tenants — particularly low-income and poor tenants who often fear retaliation if they report bad … > read more
Homeless children living in motels is not a new phenomenon, but it was news to some High Point teachers: “Groups of teachers from Oak Hill Elementary went door-to-door in their students’ neighborhoods to meet parents and remind them that Wednesday is the first day of class at their school. The … > read more
The City of Greensboro began the Rental Unit Certificate of Occupancy (RUCO) program in 2003. Landlords are required to receive a certificate — verifying that there are no code violations — for every rental unit. Since RUCO began, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of violations. (See … > read more
“Many summer food programs have been slashed during the recession leaving low-income children with fewer options, a report by the Food Research and Action Center said Tuesday.The budget cuts reduced participation in summer school food programs across the nation over the past years, the anti-hunger group said.This drop in participation … > read more