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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
Type
State
Issue
The Bellville News Democrat, April 21, 2009: Stylists lose pounds for Fairview church food pantry
"According to the Illinois Food Bank Association, 900,000 people are served annually throughout the state by area food pantries, 35 percent of which are children and 15 percent are seniors"
The Chicago Tribune, April 19, 2009: Illinois' supportive-living program adds new facilities
"Before the program was available, low-income seniors who needed some help often had no choice but to move into a nursing home even if they really didn't need nursing care"
The Associated Press, April 17, 2009: Affordable housing building in Brattleboro in foreclosure
"The Vermont Housing Finance Agency says it's hoping to sell the building to an owner who'll manage it and keep the current residents in place"
The Associated Press, April 16, 2009: Apartments open in Lower 9th Ward
"A new apartment complex in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward is giving some older people a chance to return, more than 3 years after Hurricane Katrina forced them to other cities"
The Chicago Sun Times, April 14, 2009: (Op-Ed) Breast cancer battle is just beginning
"Because of the silence -- coupled with the limited access most low-income women have to quality health care -- cancer is often discovered in African-American women at late stages"
The Los Angeles Times, April 13, 2009: Fraud infects state in-home care program
"The aim is to allow low- income and elderly incapacitated people to remain in their homes, saving the state the expense of costly nursing homes. Experts generally consider it a success"
The Chicago Sun Times, April 13, 2009: Resist urge to raid IRA or 401(k)
"Most likely, Social Security will become a "needs-based" payout to low-income, elderly recipients -- not a return of the "investments" you made with all those FICA deductions"
The Brattleboro Reformer, April 8, 2009: (Editorial) Not-so golden years
"According to state figures, 18 percent of married couples over 65 earn less than $15,000 per year, 27 percent of households 65-74 earn less than 200 percent of the poverty level"
The Contra Costa Times, April 7, 2009: (Editorial) If tax proposals fail, California should look at income surtax
"[T]ax policy needs to be more progressive. The current tax increases take a larger percentage of lower income earners' pay than is the case for those with higher incomes"
The Associated Press, April 3, 2009: Senior center waiting lists grow amid tight budget
"State funding cuts have left northeast Georgia senior centers turning away low-income elderly or putting them on wait lists to access the hot meals and companionship the centers provide"
The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 1, 2009: Reed Smith to lay off 100 lawyers and staff
"That has been a boon to organizations such as the Senior Law Center of Philadelphia, which provides legal services to low-income seniors"
The Associated Press, April 1, 2009: Food stamp benefits increase about $20 per person
"Florida has seen a 31 percent increase in the number of people on food stamps, compared to a year ago. The recipients are generally low-income families with children, as well as seniors and people with disabilities