Barbara Ehrenreich asks: Is It Now a Crime to be Poor?

Writing in the New York Times as an Op-Ed Contributor, Barbara Ehrenreich asks if it is now a crime to be poor?

"IT’S too bad so many people are falling into poverty at a time when it’s almost illegal to be poor. You won’t be arrested for shopping in a Dollar Store, but if you are truly, deeply, in-the-streets poor, you’re well advised not to engage in any of the biological necessities of life — like sitting, sleeping, lying down or loitering."

Read more of Ms. Ehrenreich's Op-Ed....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 11:36 AM - Categories: Press Releases

PCCA Weatherization Project Saves Families Money

ABC 13 WSET TV in Danville, VA - Stimulus funds secured by one Southside organization could save local families thousands of dollars a year.  It's part of a weatherization project that is meant to help area families save on energy costs and "think green." A lot of families could see significant savings from this project.

Read more....

Watch the video....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:26 PM - Categories: Press Releases | Member News

Training: Understanding Virginia's Unemployment Benefits System

The Virginia Poverty Law Center of Richmond is offering a free two-hour training session on Virginia's Unemployment Benefits System:

Virginia's unemployment benefits system can be confusing and overwhelming to many who are trying to navigate the process.  Join Ty Jones, Public Benefits attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Carolyn Kalantari, staff attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center for a free training to help you learn about the process of applying for and maintaining a claim for unemployment benefits.

• Date:  Thursday, August 27, 2009
• Place:  University of Richmond, Downtown Richmond, 626 E. Broad Street
• Time:  10:00 am- 12:00 pm
• Free and Open to the public
• Contact Urmila Oberoi at 804-782-9430 x15 for more information

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:06 PM - Categories: Press Releases

People Incorporated in the News

RICHMOND – Governor Kaine highlighted today the groundbreaking of Heartwood, a $16 million, 28,000 square foot facility that will serve as the gateway to Southwest Virginia and as a one-of-a-kind tourism destination for travelers exploring the rich cultural, musical and artisan culture distinctive of the region.

People, Incorporated of Virginia, located in Abingdon, is one of the project partners. 

Read the Governor's press release....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:02 PM - Categories: Press Releases | Member News

New Rental Housing Service Locator

VirginiaHousingSearch.com is a housing locator service launched across the Commonwealth of Virginia in June 2009. Sponsored by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, VirginiaHousingSearch.com provides detailed information about rental properties and helps people find housing to best fit their needs. The service can be accessed at no cost online 24 hours a day or through a toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844, available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The fast, easy-to-use FREE search lets people look for rental housing using a wide variety of criteria and special mapping features. Housing listings display detailed information about each unit. The service also provides links to housing resources and helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and information about renter rights and responsibilities.

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 11:05 AM - Categories: Press Releases

New from Brookings: Have the Stimulus Programs Failed?

Gary Burtless, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, examines: Have the Stimulus Programs Failed?

"Before the recession began, American households saved very little. The personal saving rate was just 1.5% in late 2007. As the recession worsened, the saving rate soared. In the most recent quarter, it reached 5.2%. Critics of the government’s stimulus policies claim the surge in personal saving has undone the intended effects of the stimulus. In their view, the government’s efforts to boost the economy have failed. Is this claim credible?"

Read more....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 11:25 AM - Categories: Stimulus

New York Times OpEd on Low-Income Homeownership

Dalton Conley, writing in the New York Times, says:

"THE financial crisis has given rise to all sorts of wrongheaded ideas, among which is the notion that we should not subsidize the “losers” who can’t make their mortgage payments. In fact, the solution to our troubles is not to restrict homeownership, but to expand it."

Read the article....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 10:58 AM - Categories: Press Releases