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
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
I’ve been trying to assist a friend who wants and needs help with recovery from addiction. My friend doesn’t have the benefit of good health insurance. Few long-term addicts do. Serious addiction often leads to unemployment, and that means no insurance. Without insurance, treatment options are limited to local and … > read more
“What would Jesus do about today’s homelessness? He would start with a sack lunch and a prayer. And then would begin to overturn society’s approach to homelessness.” ~ Joel John Roberts, CEO of People Assisting The Homeless, Publisher of PovertyInsights.org » Read WWJD About Homelessness in America?
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
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
I’ve been writing about local efforts to come up with additional emergency winter shelter, and about the increase in requests for assistance and decline in giving. Today’s News & Record features front-page, above-the-fold coverage of both those issues. “Requests for help rise as non-profits struggle:” (PDF) Some agencies have seen … > read more
The Greensboro City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on buying the Coliseum Inn on High Point Road, and the plan is to tear down the hotel and sell the property to a developer. I don’t really have a strong opinion for or against the City buying and razing the … > read more
Homeless people often have everything they own in their backpacks. These backpacks were stashed near where some of my homeless friends were reading or using computers at the library yesterday afternoon. From my on-the-street perspective, it certainly appears that hunger and homelessness are increasing in Greensboro. There are more and … > read more