From NBC Philadelphia: More than half of Philadelphia’s 54 facilities that make up the Free Library system were closed for weekends, starting in September. But criticism forced officials to rethink the plan. (Read more.)
From Generocity: Only 71.6 percent of households in the city had broadband in 2017, compared to 83.5 percent nationally. On the bright side, smartphone users in Center City can now use five of an eventual 100 kiosks to access the internet. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: New census data released last week confirms what many in the city have long suspected: Big swaths of Philadelphia are nearly off the grid, with minimal access to fast internet services in their homes. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: Ten years ago, the Rev. Adan Mairena decided to leave the Main Line majesty of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church to minister to people living in poverty in Kensington. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: Black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to smoke cigarettes than white Americans. Yet once they’ve started, they’re more likely to stay hooked. National data show they successfully quit only about half as often as white smokers. (Read more.)
The First Judicial District has amended their procedures to authorize the return of the entire amount of posted bail in cases when defendants meet other conditions and appear as required until the final disposition of the case. (Read more.)
Low-income people who live in mobile homes in the Honey Brook area have been getting extra help that could allow them to stop overpaying property taxes. (Read more.)
From Generocity: Only 71.6 percent of households in the city had broadband in 2017, compared to 83.5 percent nationally. On the bright side, smartphone users in Center City can now use five of an eventual 100 kiosks to access the internet. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: New census data released last week confirms what many in the city have long suspected: Big swaths of Philadelphia are nearly off the grid, with minimal access to fast internet services in their homes. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: In grim and startling detail, a new five-year federal survey of poverty in Philadelphia shows a city still not recovered from the Great Recession — with white poverty exploding, inequality becoming the norm, and an out-of-the-way neighborhood experiencing some of the worst ravages of privation. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: Our money bail system is a travesty. Every day in Philadelphia, people who are accused but not convicted of a crime are held in jail not because they are guilty, but because they are too poor to purchase their freedom. Judges here routinely put a price on a person’s liberty, and it is often one they cannot afford. One in four people is assigned money bail of $50,000 or more. (Read more.)
From The Philadelphia Tribune: U.S. Census Bureau figures for 2017 released last week show nearly one in five children in America still lives in poverty, making them the poorest age group in our country. Almost one-third of the 39.7 million poor people in the United States are children. (Read more.)
From Billy Penn: Now that she represents Pennsylvania’s 116th legislative district, Rep. Toohil (R-Luzerne County) is working to make foster care a little more affordable and attractive. (Read more.)
From Generocity: Only 71.6 percent of households in the city had broadband in 2017, compared to 83.5 percent nationally. On the bright side, smartphone users in Center City can now use five of an eventual 100 kiosks to access the internet. (Read more.)
From Philadelphia Media Network: New census data released last week confirms what many in the city have long suspected: Big swaths of Philadelphia are nearly off the grid, with minimal access to fast internet services in their homes. (Read more.)
We’re hosting an open studio at PhillyCAM from 1-5pm on Saturday, Dec. 15 to give y’all the opportunity to record your thoughts on camera about what your life would be like if you felt economically secure. Or, you can voice what would Philly be like if it wasn’t broke. From this, we will cut a powerful 90-second video to circulate during January, Economic Mobility Month. We want Philadelphians from all backgrounds and income levels to participate. So come on out to share your thoughts! (Read more.)
Broke in Philly editor Jean Friedman-Rudovsky appeared over the weekend on CBSN, CBS News’ streaming video channel, to discuss the #HighCost of Being Broke series — which launched earlier this month.
The first installment covered banking, transportation, cell phone access, food staples and more, also highlighting solutions, policies or programs or options that help alleviate some of the cost born by those who can least afford to take them on.
© 2018 Resolve Philadelphia
