February 23, 2012

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Programs That Help Low Income Families

The Salvation Army

Image by Thomas Hawk via Flickr

No one can deny it, times are tough on everyone. Times are especially tough for families who were already struggling. If you are part of a low income family, you may not be aware there are organizations which can lend a hand in these tough economic times.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army operates across the entire United States. Their programs available for low income families include the following.

  • Housing and homeless services to provide emergency housing
  • Food and nutrition programs which provide food for those in need
  • Christmas charity, which provides Christmas dinners, clothing and toys for those families who cannot afford them

Goodwill

Goodwill plays an important role in providing people across America with the skills to better their life, regardless of their socio-economic background. Their programs designed to help low income families to increase employment options include the following.

Medicaid

For low income families in the United States help is available to gain access to health care services. Medicaid is a federal-state run means tested program which supports low income families and their children, as well as people with a disability and the elderly. It also supports pregnant women with a low income. The eligibility requirements differ from state to state, however the primary requirements for Medicaid eligibility include the following.

  • Having limited assets
  • Age
  • Income and resources
  • Residential status
  • Disability
  • Pregnancy
  • Being a child

When times are tough financially, it is good to know what programs are available in case you require some assistance.

 

 

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Improving Lives Through Simple Donations

Hurricane Katrina donations (ii)
Image by Schnittke via Flickr

In many places around the world, people go without basic necessities every day. Anything ranging from food, to medicine, to even a safe place to live cannot be found, and the same goes for clothing. Blake Mycoskie, a philanthropist who starred in the Amazing Race and founded Toms Shoes, has traveled the world and seen the living conditions that people face every day. In a small village in Argentina, people didn’t even have shoes in many cases, but those who did gave him an idea that became the foundation for a multinational company.

The concept of espadrilles shoes, also known as alpargata, sparked an idea, and Mycoskie added rubber soles, leather inside the shoe, and attractive designs for the outside. Although the generous idea of selling products in exchange for a donation is not new, Toms Shoes takes the idea to a new level by donating a pair of shoes to people in need of them every time somebody buys a pair. Also, whenever someone buys a t-shirt, sticker, jacket, cap, hoodie, or gift pack, Toms Shoes donates a pair of modified espradille shoes.

Children worldwide face impoverished conditions that they have no control over. People like Blake Mycoskie have the opportunity to change lives for the better. The world would certainly be in much worse shape than it is today without such philanthropists. Essential help is provided at the corporate, retail, and charity level. It is possible to combine all three, because Toms Shoes can be found in different stores and in many different countries, including Australia, Germany, Japan, Scotland, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, not to mention online. Toms Shoes began out of a loft in California, and now Blake Mycoskie has the chance to make a positive impact in the world where it is needed the most.

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Cash for Clunkers: A Recession Recovery Effort

Among the past couple of years in order to get consumer’s spending money, and move the economy into forward progression from the recession; a number of different government programs were started to save money in any way possible. The “Cash for Clunkers” program was signed into law in late June of 2009, and came into effect from July 27, 2009 to November 1, 2009; or when government funds were no longer available. This program, we’ll call it T.C.F.C, allowed vehicle owners to trade in vehicles that were not fuel-efficient for a certain amount of cash or credit for a vehicle better on gas. These cash vouchers were given to vehicle owners with vehicles less than 25 years old, got less than 18 miles per gallon and were purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. Vouchers given to consumers for bringing in their less fuel-efficient vehicles were between $3,500 to $4,500 and most consumers walked away with more savings from car dealerships adding more discounts to promote the government voucher; giving a consumer a deal that is likely not to be seen again in this lifetime. During the run of the “Cash for Clunkers” program almost 700 thousand fuel-efficient vehicles were purchased from consumers trading in vehicles that were paid on transactions as of November 10, 2009. With the soaring and unpredictable gas prices for the past couple of years, urging consumers to purchase fuel efficient cars was a smart move. This helped the vehicle consumer save gas; ultimately pocketing more money or using it for bills, and helped the government since more fuel efficient vehicles have been purchased gas consumption will be less. The significant amount of gas guzzling vehicles taken off of the roads will also prove better for the environment in many different ways, but how bad cars are for the environment is a discussion for another day.

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Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is one of those well-known organizations that help people on a global scale. Relying solely on monetary and material donations and volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity provides families with a basic human need—housing.

One misconception is that Habitat for Humanity is a giveaway program offering people free housing. This isn’t the case. Families must be able to pay a down payment and monthly mortgage, although that payment is generally well below the national average. The potential homeowners must also contribute to the building of their home by putting in so many hours of manual labor. They may also be encouraged to volunteer on the building sites of other Habitat families. Only families in extreme need of shelter can apply with their local Habitat organization, but they must be able to prove a steady income, have good credit and be US citizens. They must also attend homeowner education classes.

Those wishing to donate to Habitat can specify the project to which the donation is applied. Materials can also be donated to a specific project. Any donations that are undesignated will be used as each local branch of the organization sees fit.

There are several ways in which a volunteer can get involved. Contact any branch of the organization to inquire about need. Habitat has volunteer projects for women, youth ages 5 to 25, and even eligible prison inmates. Volunteer opportunities may be available in construction, Habitat’s home store, organizational offices, or group opportunities for churches or co-workers. Generally a one-hour volunteer orientation is required and potential volunteers must register for the orientation online or by calling the local volunteer services.

Many nonprofits have been challenged since the recession. Grant funding and donations have waned in some areas, causing some construction projects to cease. In a recession where housing has bottomed out and more and more families are in need of shelter, organizations like Habitat need contributions and volunteers now more than ever.

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Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure

The need for affordable housing has dramatically increased since the recession began in December 2007. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides resources to homeowners in danger of foreclosure. It’s important to take action at the first sign of a financial problem before past-due amounts pile up out of control.

For anyone at risk of foreclosure, it’s important to contact a foreclosure avoidance counselor immediately. Don’t wait until you’re several months behind on your mortgage payment. Most counselors and even mortgage lenders are willing to work with you if you’re not too far behind in your bills. Informing your lender of any late payment, even if it’s the first one, is critical.

In some cases, you may be able to work out a refinance plan with your mortgage company. If you’re already behind in payments, they may be willing to negotiate a repayment plan of past-due amounts. Forbearance is also an agreement that could be considered in extreme cases—it allows you to pay a smaller percentage or even no payment at all for a specific time period. However, once the forbearance period is up, you must be able to continue making payments.

If you are in active duty military service you may want to look into specialized mortgage relief assistance. For non-military homeowners needing extra relief, website like HopeNow.com may be able to help.

Be prepared. Not everyone receives the assistance they expect, and selling your home may be the only option of avoiding foreclosure. Discuss a pre-foreclosure or short sale with your mortgage company. They may be willing to accept less of a payoff amount than you owe. They may also consider a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, which simply means that you transfer the deed to your lender while your home sits on the market. This helps reduce any bad credit impacts.

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Housing Choice Vouchers

The United States Department of Housing and Ur...
Image via Wikipedia

For the disabled, the elderly, and low-income families, finding affordable housing can be stressful. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides housing choice vouchers to meet the needs of those in requiring housing assistance.

Regardless of age, disability, or income, nobody deserves to live in unsanitary or dangerous conditions. With housing choice vouchers, the family or individual needing shelter gets to take charge of their own search for a place to live. You may have read classified advertisements for apartments that say, “Section 8 accepted.” Section 8 is the commonly known term for the housing choice voucher.

Section 8 is a federally funded program. It allows families to select from a list of privately owned homes and apartments that are put up for rent by the owner. Eligibility is determined based on gross income and family size. Local public housing authorities determine the eligibility of those seeking housing.

What’s offered is a reduced monthly rent that the family can afford. Tenants are responsible for understanding and complying with their lease requirements as well as the housing choice voucher program terms. The residence must be kept in good condition and the public housing authority should immediately be notified is there are any changes in income or family members.

The first step to see if you’re qualified for Section 8 is to contact your local housing authority. A local HUD office will also be able to assist you with the first steps. Keep in mind that there are waiting lists and preference may be given to families who are homeless or involuntarily displaced.

A tenant living with a housing choice voucher may have to move or find larger housing. As long as the public housing authority is notified ahead of time, these changes are generally acceptable.
More information about Section 8 can be found at HUD.gov or GoSection8.com.

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The Effect Of Bundling Low-Income Housing

Low Income Housing, Location of Pilot Stoves
Image via Wikipedia

For years low income housing or “the projects” have been built in the inner city and for the most part right next to one another. Prior to the expansion of cities across the United States this was seen as the appropriate way to handle low income housing because it put patrons in the middle of the city with easy access to jobs and schools, however studies are now showing that this type of mentality only perpetuates the need for low income housing.

The understanding was that individuals who needed to live in low income housing could not afford to a car to commute from the suburbs every day or could not budget a bus pass. Also it gave children better access to schools which helped to ensure that those children would be able to make it to school every day. However, instead of providing opportunities for these indivuals or their children, researcher’s now say that this type of plan accomplishes just the opposite.

Instead of creating opportunities the housing projects perpetuate a life of low-income for everyone who lives in the area. Here are just a few aspects of the community that are affected by bundling low income housing projects.

Three Aspects Of The Community Affected By Bundling

1. Parents- Because of the proximity to the downtown area and so many people fighting for jobs in one area, parents find it hard to find good employment and a way to leave the projects.

2. Children- Because the low income is poorer taxes are either cheaper or subsidized by the state and federal government meaning the children have less materials in school and are provided with a less than desireable education than their counterparts in the suburbs.

3. Business Owners- Business owners in the area are affected by the mass of low income shoppers and thus it is harder for them to realize profits and move out of the low income area.

Researcher’s have found that projects breed more projects.

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