Low-income households

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2008 – The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$15.7 million grant for the Republic of Haiti to provide basic infrastructure and social services for disadvantaged urban communities.

Public school in Labadee Village, Haiti.: Photo by Ali (CC)    » read more »

June 1, 2008 -- HONOLULU – Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle’s Chief of Staff Barry Fukunaga today called on the State Legislature to reverse its misguided decision to restrict the spending of $28.2 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for the upcoming fiscal year.

Fukunaga encouraged state lawmakers to make it their highest priority to lift the restriction on anti-poverty funds when it reconvenes in January 2009.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is providing $6.2 million in financial assistance for five affordable housing projects across Connecticut.

“Increasing affordable housing options is always a priority, and that is especially true as we work to keep and grow jobs during a national economic slowdown,” Governor Rell said. “Making housing affordable revitalizes our downtowns and transforms neighborhoods into tightly knit communities. It also helps our elderly residents remain independent while giving other residents a helping hand in starting or maintaining their working and family lives.    » read more »

Investment plan will foster affordable housing development, spark economic growth

BOSTON -- May 29, 2008— Highlighting the positive impact access to affordable housing for all citizens has on the quality of life and well-being in communities across Massachusetts and on the strength of the economy, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today signed into law a $1.275 billion bond authorization – the state’s largest investment ever in housing and community development projects throughout the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Governor Patrick announces housing bill: Photo courtesy Massachusetts Governor's office    » read more »

Joined by Oregon food industry companies, the Governor challenges others in industry to help meet growing demand

May 29, 2008 -- (Portland) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today issued his final challenge of Hunger Awareness Week, asking the food industry to find creative ways to partner with the Oregon’s Food Bank Network to feed hungry families.

Creation of these partnerships will help the Network, representing more than 900 food distribution sites across Oregon, provide families with well-balanced, nutritious foods.    » read more »

As Summer Approaches Governor Paterson Announces Cooling Assistance Available For Those Most In Need; New Yorkers Facing Serious Heat-Related Health Problems May Be Eligible to Receive Air Conditioners from State

Hundreds Die Every Year in United States from Heat-Related Illnesses
May 29, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced New York State residents who are susceptible to heat-related illnesses can apply for home air conditioners.

New York Governor David Paterson: Photo courtesy NY Governor's office    » read more »

Farmers in 35 counties to participate in Illinois WIC and Senior Farmers Market programs for locally grown fruits and vegetables

May 29, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that an additional nine counties will participate in the 2008 Women Infant and Children’s (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market programs.    » read more »

Governor Also Vetoes Tip Credit Bill That Accompanied Increase

May 27, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today vetoed a bill that would have raised the state’s minimum wage from $7.65 to $8 beginning Jan. 1, 2009, and to $8.25 beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

Bridgeport, Connecticut: Photo by Noah G-L (CC)

In addition to vetoing House Bill 5105, An Act Concerning the Minimum Wage, the Governor also vetoed Senate Bill 55, An Act Concerning the Tip Credit, which is rendered unnecessary by the veto of House Bill 5105.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 22 – The Senate today approved legislation that includes support for veterans and for people who need help paying spiraling home heating bills. Both provisions were championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Sanders played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in securing an additional $1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. “At a time when the cost of oil is soaring, it is important to expand the home heating assistance program to make certain that no Vermonter goes cold next winter.”    » read more »

Affordable housing important to attracting workers to Kansas

May 13, 2008 -- Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed a bill to help more rural communities meet their housing needs.

“Right now there are more than 35,000 open jobs in Kansas,” Sebelius said. “In order to attract workers to fill these jobs, we need to make sure there is affordable housing for them and their families. It is common sense solutions like this that have kept the Kansas economy strong despite troubling national trends.”

HB 2123 raises the population limits with the Kansas Rural Housing Incentive District Act. This Act encourages housing development in rural cities and counties, where housing shortages exist, by providing grants and loans for public improvements.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced $25.5 million in grants and financing to build and renovate 396 units of affordable housing in New York State. The grants – to neighborhoods in New York City and Western New York – reinforce the Governor’s commitment to the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout the state.

Today’s grants were approved by the boards of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and its subsidiary, the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), which make grants to not-for-profit housing organizations around the state to help subsidize the cost of newly constructed homes and the renovation of existing housing.    » read more »

Rental Housing Support Program will assist 4,000 families and individuals over the next several years through rental subsidies

May 2, 2008 -- CHICAGO – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today launched the country’s largest state rental assistance program that will help extremely low-income residents in Illinois achieve long-term housing stability.

Once fully operational over the next three years, the Rental Housing Support Program will assist an estimated 4,000 “rent burdened” extremely low-income individuals and families and those with special needs find safe and affordable rental housing through rental subsidies.    » read more »

04-23-2008 -- A bill that will assist hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans facing hunger passed the Senate on Tuesday in a unanimous, bipartisan vote, according to the bill's co-author, State Senator Andrew Rice.

"When our neighbors are going hungry, all of us are affected - it's a moral issue. I'm encouraged that all of my Senate colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, share my views and showed they are willing to take immediate action to combat food insecurity," Rice said.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Photo by a.saliga (CC)    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today wrote to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee asking that they include $100 million in the supplemental appropriations bill for emergency funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The program provides assistance to local food banks, which are currently experiencing severe food aid shortages and seeing higher demand from families strained under our ailing economy.    » read more »

Multi-State Suit Seeks to Overturn Rule that Hurts Needy Patients

April 16, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York is joining a number of other states in suing the federal government over a newly implemented federal Medicaid rule. The new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule will sharply limit New York’s ability to provide case management to vulnerable populations throughout the state.    » read more »