In an article published in the December 2016 issue of Smithsonian Magazine, author Dale Maharidge chronicled the struggles that many of America’s working poor, including high poverty rates, housing affordability issues and food-scarcity. While just over 43 million people, or 13.5 percent of the population, live below the poverty line ($11,880) in the United States,…
Category: Poverty
Income, Poverty and Population in Rural America
The U.S. Census Bureau’s annual report on poverty and income in America was released on September 13, 2016. The findings of this report have been highlighted by many sources as an example of the economic growth experienced in many communities in recent years, noting that the median household income increased 5.2 percent from 2014 to 2015,…
Achieving the American Dream through Programs that Work
Alton and Robin Alexander lived in Western Michigan with their two daughters in a comfortable, modest and safe neighborhood prior to the Great Recession. However, as the nation’s economy struggled, this family of four lost their home and was forced to move into a substandard rental unit. The Alexanders’ story is not unique. Homeownership is…
Under Secretary Mensah Meets with Central Valley Family Using USDA Funds for New Water Well
While in California last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Lisa Mensah toured a self-help housing tract that Self-Help Enterprises is developing in Merced County and visited with a family that is a recipient of USDA funds. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) was also on the tour. Under Secretary Mensah and Congressman Costa met with…
2016 Omnibus Bill Includes Record Funding For Rural Housing Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Rapoza National Rural Housing Coalition Phone: (202) 393-5225 2016 Omnibus Bill Includes Record Funding for Rural Housing Programs WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2015 – Yesterday, Congress released the omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2016. This bill funds several programs, including the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance, and…
Do Presidential Hopefuls Have a Plan for Rural America?
The presidential hopefuls are well underway in their respective campaigns, with a combined total of six debates over the past few month. While many candidates are focused on how they can make America stronger, there has yet to be any major discussion on what their plans are for rural America. Read more in Bob Rapoza’s…
Mutual Self-Help Housing Program Briefing and Reception
The videos that were shown are provided below. 4. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing: 5. Rural CAP Alaska: 6. Self-Help Enterprises: 7. Self-Help Homes:
Rural IMPACT?
Ten communities from around the country have been named Rural IMPACT Demonstration Sites. Rural IMPACT is a part of a larger initiative by the White House Rural Council (also called “Rural Impact” – only this time all the letters of “Impact” are not capitalized), which is designed to address the high rates of child poverty…