Housing/Homelessness / Public News Service

Agriculture contributes $42 billion to Oregon's economy each year, while the average farmworker earns less than $25,000 a year. (Alessandro Biascioli/Adobe Stock)

Breaking ground on affordable housing for OR farmworkers

Construction will begin early next year on new affordable housing dedicated to low-income Oregon farmworkers. This project is the latest by the …

Approximately one in every 1,250 individuals in North Carolina is unhoused. (Photo of Tonya Adams Ruffin/ Courtesy of Interfaith Council for Social Services)

Organization helps NC woman advocate for housing, awareness

One life-altering situation turned a North Carolina woman's stability into homelessness and now, she is sharing her journey to humanize homelessness …

A $275,000 grant awarded to the Montana Legal Services Association will help streamline legal aid to low income residents. The information will be integrated into the organization's LegalServer case management system. (Adobe Stock)

Grant bolsters legal services for low-income Montanans

Low-income Montana residents are getting help accessing legal aid online. In some cases, updates to automated legal forms could help residents …

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation's grant cycle for the fourth quarter of 2024 supported more than a dozen organizations dedicated to improving access to resources and strengthening financial well-being programs in local communities. (Adobe Stock)

NC foundation grants help local nonprofits expand community services

North Carolina nonprofits are increasing their reach and enhancing services with nearly $1 million in grant funding provided this year by the Coastal …

New York State is allocating $35.3 billion in total school aid, an $825 million increase from 2024. It also includes a $507 million increase in foundation aid. (Adobe Stock)

Study charts updates needed for NYS school funding formula

A new study provides New York State with an outline of necessary updates to its school funding formula. The Rockefeller Institute study called for …

In the United States, one in three households facing eviction is the target of a

MI group pushes for laws to protect tenants from unjust evictions

A new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy reveals that eviction injustice is locking many Michigan families out of safe, stable housing…

The total number of children in foster care has decreased annually since 2017. (ibreakstock/Adobe Stock)

Support available for AR kids aging out of foster care

Nonprofits working with foster care children want them to know services are available to help them navigate life once they are out of the system…

A 2022 study of evictions in Lancaster County by the University of Nebraska College of Law found a high level of non-compliance in moving forward with such proceedings when tenants lacked counsel. (Adobe Stock)

NE public housing legal case touches on quality of life for vulnerable renters

The public housing agency serving Nebraska's largest city faces legal action amid claims of poor living conditions for a tenant with disabilities…

Elizabeth Friedland, founder of Safe Park Indy, poses for a portrait at the first lot she secured. (Mirror Indy)

Indiana-based Safe Park expands for people living in cars

By Tyler Fenwick for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News …

The familiar red kettle started in San Francisco in 1891 as a crab pot for out-of-work seamen and longshoremen due to the Depression. By 1990, the buckets were used nationwide to collect donations. (Adobe Stock)

IN Salvation Army chapters see donation decrease

Donations to charities are down this year, including to the Salvation Army. The longstanding organization acknowledges people are not giving their …

ALICE families say while wages have increased, it hasn't been enough to keep up with inflation and is sometimes hard to put food on the table. (Konstantin Yuganov/Adobe Stock)

'ALICE at Work' on paycheck-to-paycheck struggle

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helps low-income apartment tenants afford reduced rents in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Montanans threaten 'rent strike' over black mold, safety issues

More than two dozen members of a tenant's union in Bozeman are threatening a rent strike if their landlord doesn't address maintenance and other safet…

Randi Atwell packed up all her belongings last July and left Lucky Turn Apartments, located in Beech Grove. (T Fenwick/Mirror Indy)

Agency failures push Indy families toward homelessness

By Emily Hopkins and Tyler Fenwick for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press In…

Some 72% of those benefiting from the programs of United Methodist Churches are not members of those congregations. In effect, says a new report, rural Methodist churches are de facto community centers, much like urban congregations. (Adobe Stock)

NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

Churches are often seen as cornerstones of their communities in North Carolina and elsewhere, but Swansboro United Methodist Church in Onslow County …

Easy Estates, put together by NDSU architectural student Noah Boen, was one of the winning designs in a North Dakota competition to spur more age-friendly housing. An AARP survey found 55% of state residents prioritize living independently as they age if they were to consider moving out of their current residence. (Photo courtesy AARP)

ND project lays out new 'age-friendly' housing vision

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

A report released this year by the state's Department of Human Services found homelessness is up by 24-percent compared to 2021. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Evidence-based strategies to help WV address homelessness

Cities and states are struggling with mounting homelessness, and West Virginia is no exception. A recent report points to potential solutions and …

After immigrating to the U.S. many immigrants and their families encounter challenges, including low-paying jobs, language barriers and navigating complex systems. (artiom.photo/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

By Antoinette Grajeda for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop…

Research has found the stability of parents' home ownership contributes to their kids' higher standardized test scores in math and reading. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

New coalition aims to address Oregon home ownership 'crisis'

With housing prices nearly doubling in the last 10 years, the number of Oregonians who can afford to buy a home without assistance has dwindled and a …

According to Environment Illinois, residential rooftop solar grew nearly 2,300% between 2017 and 2022. (Adobe Stock)

IL solar energy demand remains strong, boosts job growth

By Kari Lydersen for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

Someone becomes homeless in the United States every 40 minutes. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

North TX nonprofit uses technology to combat homelessness

The faith-based nonprofit Our Calling is working with unsheltered clients in north Texas to create a long-term exit plan to help them rebuild their li…

The new Los Angeles County Office of Food Equity will work with Social Services to encourage physicians to prescribe healthy food as medicine. (Alicja Neumiler/Adobe Stock)

Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity

About one-third of the population in Los Angeles does not have reliable access to healthy food, so leading philanthropic organizations are teaming up …

California voters rejected the latest effort to raise the minimum wage statewide and to allow cities to enact local rent control. (IcemanJ/Adobe Stock)

Experts analyze why CA propositions on minimum wage, rent control failed

California political analysts say inflation and voter confusion contributed to the failure of propositions to raise the minimum wage and allow stronge…

Between 2022 and 2023, Missouri experienced a 12% increase in overall homelessness and a 24% rise in unsheltered homelessness. (FollowTheFlow/Adobe Stock)

MO mayor, once homeless, now leads fight for homeless

Once homeless and suffering from addictions himself, Joplin's mayor now leads a crusade to help others overcome the same hardships. About 53,000 …

City governments are strengthening financial security for families through reimagined debt-collection practices, equitable ability-to-pay processes and increased access to financial empowerment services. (Adobe Stock)

Program helps youth in Pueblo clear steep hurdles of fines and fees

Young people in Pueblo can now avoid serious and long-lasting consequences when they are unable to pay fines or fees. Chanell Hasty, program …

There are 16 million vacant homes across the U.S., or 28 vacant homes for every unhoused person. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Colorado’s housing crisis linked to billionaire investors

Denver's homeless population hit an all-time high in 2024 but there is actually no shortage of available housing units, according to a new report…

A New York State Comptroller report found New York City had the highest rental cost burden in the state between 2016 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

NYC legislation gives communities more control over housing

A package of New York City bills can help preserve affordable housing. The Community Land Act creates more pathways for communities to purchase and …

Idahoans can register to vote on Election Day at their polling place with proof of residency and a photo ID. (Annap/Adobe Stock)

Voter guide available for Idahoans who might face barriers at polls

Election Day is tomorrow and resources are available for people who might face challenges at the polls in Idaho. The American Civil Liberties Union …

A poll from the National Alliance to End Homelessness showed a candidate's stance on homelessness could be a defining factor when people decide who to vote for. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Homelessness is important issue for CT, US voters

A new poll shows homelessness is an important issue to voters in Connecticut and nationwide. The National Alliance to End Homelessness' latest poll …

A 2023 Siena College poll showed 77% of New York State residents feel the lack of affordable housing is a major problem. (Adobe Stock)

Corporate landlords a big part of NY affordable housing crisis

New York's affordable housing crisis is being made worse by corporate landlords, according to groups trying to reform the system. The state …

According to Gov. Roy Cooper's office, Hurricane Helene's flooding and destruction in western North Carolina have led to an estimated $53 billion in damages and recovery costs. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental advocates tackle wave of post-Helene misinformation in NC

As North Carolina communities continue to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene, they have faced a new obstacle: A surge of misinformation is …

Signal Ohio found overarching issues such as climate change, reproductive rights and safety were on the minds of many Ohioans. (Adobe Stock)

Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates

As Election Day approaches, the online outlet Signal Ohio interviewed 50 people across Cleveland and Akron to find out what is on the minds of …

The National Alliance to End Homelessness found 10% of people experiencing homelessness have service, emotional support or companion animals. (Adobe Stock)

Pet-inclusive shelters benefit NY, US homeless people

By Corrie Aune for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

According to the United Way, more Americans are seeking assistance for help with everyday needs. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

Antipoverty community: Poverty line is garbage

Advocates in the antipoverty community said lawmakers are not doing enough to help people escape poverty. They said the inaction is increasing the …

By May of this year, Michigan launched 45 new clean-energy projects with Inflation Reduction Act funding, the most of any state. (Hope/Adobe Stock)

MI mayor uses federal support to achieve carbon neutrality

With their mayor at the helm, the city of Ann Arbor is working toward carbon neutrality by 2030. Severe weather in Michigan has strained budgets and …

An image of Hurricane Milton approaching Florida, as seen from NOAA's GOES-16 satellite on Oct. 8. (NOAA)

Florida insurance claim denials rise after Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Since Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated Florida, more than 49,000 insurance claims have been denied, leaving thousands of residents in …

Statistics from the ALICE in Arkansas initiative show a significant increase in the number of ALICE households following COVID. (Zadvornov/Adobe Stock)

AR business owners collaborate to help ALICE residents

By Daniel Breen and Josie Lenora for Little Rock Public Radio.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Little Rock …

Around 9% of children in Syracuse have high lead levels in their blood. Even low-level lead exposure can harm a child's ability to learn and is linked to attention deficit disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Syracuse water contains dangerously high lead levels

New data show lead levels in Syracuse's drinking water are higher than those in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. The city's tests show lead …

Gas stoves emit toxic pollutants in the home, including nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide, and have been attributed to 15% of childhood asthma cases in Massachusetts, according to a study from the Rocky Mountain Institute. (Adobe Stock)

More MA communities strive for building decarbonization

By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

Beyond monthly heating bill aid, Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program also provides funds for those who can't afford re-connection fees charged by their utility provider. (Adobe Stock)

New MN law, heating aid take the chill out of energy burdens

Minnesota is in its first cold snap of the fall season, and a new law aims to protect renters from thermostat hang-ups with their landlord. It …

There are now no consistent renters' rights nationally and some states, like Arkansas, have very few tenants' rights. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

AR renters could benefit from proposed National Tenants Bill of Rights

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

The Des Moines City Council passed a resolution that bans tent camping and criminalizes falling asleep in public, which can result in a $15 fine. (Adobe Stock)

Critics push back on Des Moines' homeless ordinance

The Des Moines City Council has passed an ordinance to reduce the homeless population and help people find alternatives to being on the street…

All Arkansas employers must display an approved Arkansas minimum-wage poster in a prominent place to inform employees about the minimum wage and their worker's rights under Arkansas labor law. GoodIdeas/Adobe Stock)

Study: Low wage workers in AR could benefit from minimum wage increase

A new study finds minimum-wage increases have little or no impact on job loss. The Economic Policy Institute study comes as federal lawmakers …

Montana residents who qualify can receive up to $675 in property tax rebates. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline approaches for Montana tax rebate

Tomorrow is the deadline for Montana residents who qualify to apply for a property tax rebate. The State Legislature passed the measure during its …

A community garden at a DevNW property in Corvallis will provide fresh food and an organizing place for tenants.(Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Five OR organizations receive funding for age-friendly projects

Five organizations in Oregon will receive funds for projects that make their communities more age-friendly. AARP Oregon has selected the quick-…

Federal workers said if the plan known as Project 2025 is enacted, it would upend every government agency. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Federal workers in TX voice concerns about Project 2025

Federal workers are voicing concerns about what they see as the potential impacts of the sweeping policy recommendations known as Project 2025…

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

The U.S. Census Bureau's supplemental poverty measure rose to just under 13% in 2023, up from 12.4% in 2022, despite an increase in median household incomes nationwide. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Census data: More Mainers struggle to meet basic needs

More Maine households struggled to meet their basic needs last year, according to new census data. More than 80,000 Mainers, or roughly 6% of the …

In New Mexico, 70% of extremely low-income renter households face a severe cost burden, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. (qingwa/AdobeStock)

America's 2-decade-long housing shortage needs a fix

New Mexico houses cost less to buy than in many other states but there's also less inventory and one data expert does not expect a building boom to re…

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