Housing – Page 65 – Broke in Philly

Fear of Schuylkill Punch: Residents with lower incomes spend more on water, survey finds

November 3, 2018

From Billy Penn: Despite the unfortunate nickname, “Schuylkill Punch” has been proven plenty safe to drink, but the myth that it’s not has an unfortunate effect. In the poorest big city in the country, many people are unnecessarily spending their money on more expensive water. And Water Dept. surveys sent out this spring showed the phenomenon touches specific groups of people more than others. (Read more.)

New partnership will protect 475,000 Philly homeowners from sewer snafus

November 1, 2018

From PlanPhilly: The Philadelphia Energy Authority announced on Wednesday a new partnership with American Water Resources that will provide 475,000 eligible homeowners an affordable water and sewer line protection plan for about $8 a month. American Water Resources is a subsidiary of American Water, the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. (Read more.)

Wake Up With WURD 10.9.18 – Jake Blumgart

October 18, 2018

From WURD Radio: Jake discusses his PlanPhilly.com story on a recent study done by the Pew Charitable Trusts which shows that the vast majority of low-income Philadelphians receive no assistance with their housing costs. As a result, many have to rely on unconventional and sometimes illegal arrangements to secure shelter. (Read more.)

The care of our elders will change on January 2019

October 11, 2018

Some elderly people in our community live in very precarious conditions, and many times it is due to lack of information. We are talking with Lydia Hernandez of PCA about the changes that come with medicare and medicaid especially for our viejitos (Read more.)

Killing SEPTA transfer fees, charging for parking differently — it’s all in Philly’s new transportation plan

October 10, 2018

From PlanPhilly: The City of Philadelphia released what may be its most ambitious and concretely detailed transportation plan yet on Wednesday. Called CONNECT, the seven-year plan details the goals, strategies and tactics officials hope will address the city’s most pressing transportation challenges, including increased congestion, declining bus ridership, and a bike commuting trend that’s gone flat. (Read more.)

Social Isolation: A Common Issue Among Immigrants

October 8, 2018

From ParaTiMujer Radio Program: Social Isolation is one of the biggest barriers for Immigrants. In order to success in a new country, we should speak the language and learn the culture. A group of women from different parts of the globe share their stories of overcoming social isolation. (Read more.)

Where kids live determines whether they realize American Dream

October 4, 2018

From Philadelphia Media Network: Although they both start at the same level of poverty, the child who comes of age in the less-poor community will make more money in life than the child who spends her life in the low-income area. (Read more.)

Dip in Black poverty draws skepticism

October 3, 2018

From The Philadelphia Tribune: A drop in the poverty rate for Black Philadelphians reported in recent census estimates has been met with skepticism by some who say the numbers are moving in the opposite direction. (Read more.)

Can machine learning help more people access SNAP benefits?

October 2, 2018

From Technical.ly: Thanks to a machine learning model built in-house at Center City nonprofit Benefits Data Trust, call-center staffers get extra insights while enrolling users onto the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). (Read more.)

Let’s reduce poverty in Philadelphia

October 2, 2018

From The Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia is the only large city with a decline in median household income from 2016 to 2017, from $41,449 in 2016 to $39,759 in 2017. Behind these alarming numbers are thousands of men, women and children struggling in poverty. We have families in Philadelphia with barely enough food to eat and no place to live. They are living in dilapidated housing, shelters and on the streets. (Read more.)