Living in poverty, or avoiding it, poses a range of challenges aside from just housing: health, employment, safety, education, and much more. While these aspects of life often parallel an individual or family’s housing situation, they are also an important piece of their experience and their well-being.

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• • Food insecurity a public health concern May 29 2019

    From: Bucks County Courier Times Studies are showing that food insecurity can lead to mental and physical health challenges, from ADHD to depression to an increased risk of obesity. According to recent studies, food insecurity continues to be a major …more

  • Philly housing costs rising faster for poor and middle class than for the wealthy May 1 2019

    From: The Philadelphia Tribune Phyllis Chamberlain, executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, said residents may be pushed into substandard housing — in Philadelphia or elsewhere — with potentially lifelong impacts. “There’s evidence that children who experience homelessness and …more

  • Pennsylvania Plans Vote on Cutting Assistance for Its Poorest Residents Apr 9 2019

    From Talk Poverty Toothpaste, medication, and bus fare. What do these have in common? For thousands of the poorest Pennsylvanians, there soon might be no way to afford them, or other basic necessities. Next week, the Pennsylvania state legislature is …more

  • Report: Child Poverty Falls to Record Low, Comprehensive Measure Shows Stronger Government Policies Account for Long-Term Improvement Oct 24 2017

    By: By Isaac Shapiro and Danilo Trisi Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Published: October 5, 2017 First paragraph of report: The child poverty rate fell to a record low of 15.6 percent in 2016, a little more than half …more

  • How Housing Dynamics Shape Neighborhood Perspectives Sep 12 2017

    By: Matthew Desmond Published: September 12, 2017 If neighborhood perceptions can drive selection into and out of certain areas, influence the concentration of social problems, exacerbate negative health outcomes, and steer urban policy, then identifying factors that influence those perceptions …more

  • Population Growth Means a City Is Thriving, or Does It? Sep 5 2017

    By: J. B. Wogan, Governing the States and Localities Published: September 2017 Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases its latest data on cities and population growth. The reaction is always the same: News outlets look at the numbers showing which …more

  • Webinar Recording: PA ABLE Jun 13 2017

    Recorded on June 9, 2017 Pennsylvania just launched its new Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) program in April.  The ABLE program makes it possible for people with disabilities to establish a savings account and not lose critical government …more

  • Webinar Recording: NAP Program- It Works- Learn How It Can Work for Your Organization Jun 5 2017

    Recorded: June 2, 2017 The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) provides state tax-credits to businesses that make contributions to nonprofit organizations carrying out eligible projects. NAP leverages additional resources into the community beyond traditional government funding and can be used to …more

  • 2008-2017 State Budget Chart updated April 6, 2017 Apr 20 2017

    Revised 4/6/17 Figures are rounded. 1 Tax Credit; part of the Tax code not the Budget. 2 Also included in HSDF Block Grant. 3 2012-2013 through 2016-2017 funded from the Homeowner Assistance Settlement Fund, not General Fund. 4 Funded from …more

  • ASAP Strategy Brief: Messaging to Policymakers & other Stakeholders on Program Alignment Apr 19 2017

    By: ASAP Published: Spring 2017 A deep well of valuable resources exist on messaging for safety net programs, including SNAP, Medicaid and TANF, that resonate positively with the public. Among them are:  FrameWorks Institute: Building a New Narrative on …more