Housing/Homelessness / Public News Service

679 people who were counted in the 2022 Point in Time survey are chronically homeless. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 19, 2022

MaineHousing: Better Data Collection Can Help Reduce Homelessness

Data from Maine's annual Point in Time homelessness survey has been released, showing 4,411 individuals were experiencing homelessness on Jan…

A revised federal spending plan for Community Action Agencies creates a new Broadband Navigator discretionary program to help connect low-income families to high-speed internet. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Congress Considers Providing More Local Support to Fight Poverty

May is Community Action Month, and local agencies helping low-income families hope Congress signs off on a plan to bolster and modernize their …

The state has $1.7 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan dollars. It must be used by 2024 or returned to the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

PA Officials Call for Boosting Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

Pennsylvania lawmakers and community leaders gathered in Montgomery County Wednesday, urging the General Assembly to use $204 million in unspent …

Oregon is one of eight states that conduct their elections completely by mail. (Scott Van Blarcom/Adobe Stock)

OR Called an Easy State to Vote In, But Could Do More

Oregonians have the easiest time casting their votes in the nation, according to studies and can vote in almost any situation. Open access to the …

Senate Bill 154 would require assisted facility owners to check Colorado's Adult Protective Services Data System prior to hiring an employee who is responsible for the care and welfare of residents. (Adobe Stock)

Measure to Protect Assisted-Living Residents Advances

Colorado residents in assisted-living facilities could soon have the same protections in place under federal law at nursing homes. Senate Bill 154 …

Arkansas joins Nebraska as the only two states to reject the latest offer of federal rental-assistance funds for low-income households. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Rejects Most of Latest Federal Rental-Assistance Funds

Arkansas is declining most of the $146 million made available in a second round of Emergency Rental Assistance from the federal government. Critics …

The report defines an "extremely low-income" household as one which either falls below the federal poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Many WI Renters Struggle to Meet Housing Costs

Despite two years of government initiatives designed to provide financial aid and support to housing insecure residents, Wisconsin is still facing a …

University of Minnesota researchers say Minnesota is behind many other states in maximizing available resources to weatherize homes and reduce an occupant's energy burden. (Adobe Stock)

Energy-Efficient Updates Needed for MN's Aging Homes

A significant portion of Minnesota housing was built before 1980, and these homes just endured a long and cold winter. That's renewed calls for the …

Data from Oregon State University suggests food insecurity spiked to 1 million people in the state in May 2020. (Mediaphotos/Adobe Stock)

Hunger on Ballot as Oregonians Vote in Primary Election

Ballots will start to be mailed out today for Oregon's primary election, and one issue sure to be on voters' minds is hunger. Food insecurity had …

The Shared Housing Partnership was inspired in part by Community College of Philadelphia's Fostering Caring Connections program for young people, ages 16 to 24, formerly in foster care. (Elizabeth Field/Community College of Philadelphia)

Supporting Phila. Community College Students with Affordable Housing

A partnership between Community College of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Authority aims to make finding a place to live easier for student…

The art of Isabel Strauss, one of the Key Change contributors, superimposes existing images over architectural renderings to "redefine spatial relationships between bodies and objects, histories and futures." (Image by Isabel Strauss)

Art Exhibition Highlights Chicago's Housing Issues, Potential Solutions

An upcoming art exhibition in Chicago aims to provide a new framework to view the city's struggles with housing, past and present. Hosted by the …

Leaders of a new initiative in North Dakota to help military veterans resolve legal matters in their pursuit of housing, say even small things like obtaining an I.D. can serve as barriers. (Adobe Stock)

Legal Partnership Covers Wide Range in Helping ND Veterans

Low-income veterans in North Dakota, at risk of being unhoused, have options to turn to if a legal issue stands in their way, including a new …

Over the past decade, there's been a nearly 50% reduction in homelessness among military veterans nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Infinitive Helps Veterans Address Legal Barriers in Housing

The U.S. has made strides in reducing homelessness among military veterans, but barriers still exist in some situations. A new partnership aims to …

More than 400 personal-care homes in Pennsylvania that served low-income clients, or 46% of the statewide total, have closed since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

PA Health Officials Want More Funding for Personal-Care Homes

Pennsylvania officials visited a personal-care home in York County on Wednesday to highlight the need for continued investment in the state's long-ter…

Unhoused residents who apply to live at Albuquerque's Hope Village must meet the federal definition of homelessness, have a documented mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. (courtesy Hope Village)

Albuquerque Opens Center of "Hope" for Homeless Population

In the midst of the pandemic, hope was in the air as construction proceeded on a one-of-a-kind housing project to serve a portion of Albuquerque's …

Buildings account for one-third of New York's greenhouse-gas emissions. (Adobe Stock)

NY a Climate Leader through New State Budget

Gov. Kathy Hochul's $220 billion budget was signed into law this week, and clean-energy advocates say it includes a strong commitment to addressing …

At least 269 people experiencing homelessness passed away in Denver in 2021, an increase from the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

New Health Center Serves Homeless-Shelter Residents Onsite

People experiencing homelessness in Denver can now access medical and behavioral care at a new health center set up inside a shelter operated by Denve…

An estimated 30 million students are receiving free school meals, about 10 million more than before eligibility requirements were waived because of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Policies Took a Bite Out of Child Hunger

Federal pandemic waivers took a bite out of child hunger, according to census data, and there are concerns those trends could be reversed when the …

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a response to discriminatory housing practices such as redlining that experts say contributed to de facto segregation. (Adobe Stock)

Groups to Lawmakers: NH Needs More Affordable Housing

Fair-housing advocates are urging New Hampshire lawmakers to make affordable housing more accessible, during this National Fair Housing Month…

Gasoline prices are higher in California than New Mexico, but drivers could pay over $5 and even $6 a gallon for unleaded during peak summer driving season, according to AAA. (Obelixlatino/Pixabay)

NM Legislature Convenes to Consider Relief for Gas, Food Prices

With the goal of providing financial relief for New Mexicans struggling with higher prices for gas and food, legislators convene today for a special …

Leading global climate scientists have warned that sharp reductions in the burning of fossil fuels before 2030 are necessary to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

CO Website Spotlights Neighborhood-Level Risks of Climate Change

Coloradans already are seeing the impacts of climate change - rising temperatures, more frequent and severe wildfires, flooding and prolonged drought …

Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in downtown Seattle. (Toohool/Adobe Stock)

WA Program Model for Support in Homelessness Crisis

Washington state lawmakers made a historic investment of $850 million in housing this session. An effort in Seattle to get people housed could …

More than 100,000 Colorado residents live in mobile-home communities, both in urban and rural areas. (karagrubis/Adobe Stock)

CO Tenant Advocates: Mobile-Home Residents Need More Rent Safeguards

A bill before the General Assembly would put safeguards in place to promote accountability and affordability in mobile home parks. More than 100,000 …

Fewer than four in ten low-income renters in Michigan live in affordable units, and many are also inaccessible. (cunaplus/Adobe Stock)

MI Report: Invest Rescue Plan Funds in Affordable, Accessible Housing

A new report found older Michiganders and people with disabilities face some of the greatest barriers to housing, and systemic racism has led to …

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Wisconsin is one of ten states with full-time legislatures. Despite taking home an average annual salary of more than $50,000, Wisconsin's lawmakers are not scheduled to meet again until next year. (Adobe Stock)

WI Lawmakers Reintroduce 'Economic Justice Bill of Rights'

Wisconsin's legislative session has concluded, but Democrats still are pushing for a so-called "Economic Justice Bill of Rights." Among other things…

Washington state lawmakers passed a budget of about $64 billion over the next two years. (Arpad/Adobe Stock)

Looking Back at What WA Lawmakers Accomplished in 2022 Session

Lawmakers have wrapped up their short session in Olympia - another virtual affair due to the pandemic. The majority Democrats moved quickly to pass …

Coalition: Building Electrification Policies Key in NY Budget

The New York Legislature will approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget by April 1. Environmental advocates are pushing for the fiscal plan to include …

New Hampshire has 140 resident-owned communities now, with roughly 8,500 residents, most of them low-income. (Nastasia Froloff/Adobe Stock)

Community Loan Fund, Manufactured-Home Residents Oppose Law Change

A bill before the Legislature would make it harder for manufactured-housing communities in New Hampshire to become resident-owned communities (ROCs)…

Since the start of the pandemic, at least 30,000 immigrant families in New Mexico were excluded from stimulus rebate checks, unemployment benefits and other safety-net programs. (SomosUnPuebloUnido)

Statewide "Guaranteed Basic Income" Launches in New Mexico

In the next few days, more than 300 undocumented or mixed-immigration-status New Mexico families will begin receiving $500 monthly for the next year…

U.S. Housing and Urban Development doled out $75 million in grants in its initial efforts to tackle youth homelessness. (anetlanda/Adobe Stock)

Legal Aid Among Services to Take On Youth Homelessness in MT

A federal grant is helping Montana tackle homelessness among the state's young people. The Treasure State was chosen as a rural recipient of a $3.4 …

An estimated 470,000 households in Connecticut pay at least 30% of their income toward housing, according to Growing Together Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

'Growing Together CT' Aims at State's Affordable Housing Crisis

A new alliance has formed to address Connecticut's affordable housing crisis, with a focus on its urban centers. "Growing Together Connecticut" is …

In a new survey of HBCU students, 55% reported their housing situation was not secure at some point in the last year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: HBCU Students Face Obstacles to Meeting Basic Needs

The pandemic's lingering effects are being felt by some college students struggling to make it to graduation. A new report focuses on the barriers …

Colorado landlords have denied veterans housing based on their source of income from federal and state benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Homeless-Veterans Measure Advances in Colorado Legislature

A bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature would make it a lot harder for landlords and home sellers to discriminate against military vete…

The final payments for people who receive a 2021 Child Tax Credit will be included in this year's income-tax returns. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Policies Reduce Poverty in Massachusetts

A new report shows financial supports made available in the pandemic have led to a direct reduction in poverty in Massachusetts. From expanded …

According to the Eviction Lab, Indianapolis alone has had more than 30,000 evictions since the pandemic began.(Adobe Stock)

IN Bill Would Seal Certain Eviction Records

Prior evictions can be a major barrier for folks looking for a new home, but a new bill pushing through the Indiana General Assembly would allow …

The New Mexico Supreme Court halted all evictions in March 2020, but its edict was inconsistently applied, as some courts did not follow the order, according to the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. (TierraMallorca/Pixabay)

NM Launches Eviction Prevention & Diversion Pilot Program

New Mexico is preparing to end its eviction moratorium, in effect since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, a pilot program designed to keep …

Under a bill in the Oregon Legislature, law enforcement could not pull someone over only for a broken light on their car. (lowphoto/Adobe Stock)

Backers: OR Criminal-Justice Bill Would Create Job, Housing Stability

Advocates for criminal-justice reform are continuing their effort to change the system during Oregon's upcoming legislative session. Senate Bill 151…

The legislation allows districts to waive local requirements for graduation if the student has demonstrated competency in a specific content area. (Adobe Stock)

New Law Supports PA Students Facing Graduation Barriers

Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law on Wednesday to provide direct support to Pennsylvania youth experiencing educational instability, ensuring they …

In Montana, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. (Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

Service Animals: A Common Discrimination Topic in MT Housing

The most common housing discrimination issue in Montana is landlords not making accommodations for service and assistance animals, according to Pam …

A minimum-wage worker can afford $468 in rent per month, but market-rate one-bedrooms rent for at least $695 a month. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers Call for Coordinated Effort to Fix Affordable-Housing Crisis

Nebraska is not immune to decades of disinvestment in affordable housing, and a new measure making its way through the Legislature would create a …

Over the course of the pandemic, North Dakota has received more than $350 million in federal aid to help struggling renters, but says it has sent back roughly 40% of that money unspent. (Adobe Stock)

ND Opts to Return Much of Federal Rent-Relief Funding

North Dakota has returned a significant portion of the rental assistance provided by the federal government in the pandemic, and groups working …

A woman named Amelia was living outside in Tacoma before she moved to a hotel that was turned into a homeless shelter. (Frank Hopper/YES! Media)

Native Perspective Could Shift Views on Homelessness

By Frank Hopper for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the YES! Media/Public News Service …

In 2020, the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in New Hampshire rose 5% over the previous year. (sewcream/Adobe Stock)

NH Courts Offer Landlord-Tenant Mediation to Reduce Evictions

As many Granite Staters struggle to pay ever-increasing rent prices, the New Hampshire court system is offering mediation for landlords and their …

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that energy costs across the nation rose from 2020 to 2021, resulting in higher utility fees for many families. (Adobe Stock)

Support Available for MT Residents Facing Housing Insecurity

As Montana heads deeper into winter, state officials want folks to know financial support is available for those facing housing insecurity during the …

Emergency managers' CMIST checklist helps ensure that all communications, medical, independence, safety and transportation needs can be met in times of crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Marshall Fire Tests Emergency Response for Disabled Community

People with disabilities often are left out of conversations about disaster preparedness, and the recent Marshall Fire put Colorado's emergency …

Gas prices have risen sharply over the last year, making a dent on many folks' heating bills. (SkyLine/Adobe Stock)

Utilities: Don't Wait to Seek Heating Help During Cold Winter Months

With Michigan receiving more federal funding for home heating assistance, utility companies are also chipping in to help people stay warm this winter…

Gov. Jay Inslee opened Washington state's legislative session, which is a short, 60-day session in 2022. (TVW)

WA State of the State: Housing, Climate, Countering 'Big Lie'

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee launched the 2022 legislative session with his State of the State address on Tuesday. The theme of the speech was "action…

An estimated 529,000 Philadelphians spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs, including rent and utilities, according to data from Pew Charitable Trusts. (Adobe Stock)

After Fire, Advocates Say Philly Must Address Affordable-Housing Crisis

A devastating fire in a Philadelphia public-housing rowhome last week killed 12 people, eight of them children. In the aftermath, advocates say …

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