FLUSH’s Post

Winter weather can be beautiful, but it quickly loses its charm if you don't have heat in your home. Fortunately, Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) runs until March 31, 2024. The program helps income-eligible Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, have PIPP default, need to pay first PIPP, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service. To qualify, your household income must be at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. You can review those guidelines and complete an application at https://lnkd.in/gSXrcNhi. #HEAP #WinterCrisis #HomeHeating

Today marks #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay. From 1 October, 6.3 million UK households are in fuel poverty. This is up 40% since the energy crisis first began two years ago, from 4.5 million UK households. Cold homes can cause or worsen a range of serious health conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, bronchitis and asthma. Each year, around 10,000 people die as a result of living in a cold home. Fuel poverty can also have a significant impact on mental health, and is a known risk factor for suicide. Maesin recognises that home energy efficiency is both an environmental and public health issue. Our energy audits help landlords prioritise homes for repairs and fabric upgrades, enabling action to fight fuel poverty. Thanks to National Energy Action (NEA) for bringing attention to this pressing cause. To learn more about Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, visit the website: https://lnkd.in/d6WJxdRJ

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 44 million people in the United States live in food-insecure households. With September being Hunger Action Month, it is important to recognize this devastating number and support the organizations and industries that are taking action to fight hunger. Affordable housing organizations like Conifer aim to alleviate families from food insecurity by providing safe, healthy homes, removing the impossible ultimatum that those living in poverty face: Housing or food? With quality housing taken care of, residents can allocate their financial resources to essential needs, meaning they have additional resources to obtain food for themselves and their families. September is a month to acknowledge the great strides taken to advocate for the continued fight against world hunger and we encourage you to join Conifer in our mission to support and better our community in every way. #AffordableHousing #HungerActionMonth #CommunityFocused

Another deep dive into some of the data and analyses from our updated Michigan Poverty and Well Being map 🔎 East Central Michigan The main hardship the East Central region is facing is food insecurity, despite having high rates of food assistance. Based on 2021 data from Feeding America, every county in the region except Midland has food insecurity rates above the state average of 11.7%. While some counties have very high proportions of people experiencing deep poverty, meaning their incomes are <50% of the poverty line, even those above the poverty line are struggling to access affordable and healthy foods. Beyond raising the level of SNAP benefits, addressing the food deserts in the region and helping hungry families who do not qualify for SNAP benefits will be necessary to improve food security in the region. Explore the data and more of the analysis: https://lnkd.in/dJj28iVs #FoodSecurity #FoodInsecurity #FoodDesert

ALICE is an acronym that stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. It refers to households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. Despite struggling to make ends meet, ALICE households often do not qualify for public assistance. United for Alice data shows that 27% of Hoosier households identify as ALICE. These households earn enough to not be considered below the poverty level, but not enough to afford the basics. It means Hoosiers might not be living in poverty, according to the federal government's definition, but they're hurting. They're using food pantries to get by, depending on our meals like the ones you pack with Million Meal Movement to feed their families.

Plumbing poverty has a profound impact on Native communities. Explore this article that delves into the challenges they face and why improving plumbing infrastructure is crucial. #ETCS #PlumbingNationals https://bit.ly/3QVD1Gw

Could the new face of poverty be someone you know? The Calgary Foundation's Quality of Life Report paints a sobering picture of 2024: poverty is no longer limited to the homeless or to those who cannot afford to eat three meals a day. It’s the friend who quietly misses gatherings, the neighbor who’s struggling but is too shy to ask for help, or the parent working two jobs instead of enjoying retirement. With 36% of Calgarians struggling to afford rent and 4 in 10 parents skipping meals to feed their children, this is what poverty looks like now. It’s affecting families, professionals, and seniors who once felt secure. At WINS, we have seen a 37% increase in demand for our basic needs support. We are working hard to continue supporting these individuals through essential services like basic needs, emotional support, and employment training. But we could not do it alone. Between today and October 19, Saturday, choose to shop at our Thrift Stores where you can direct your purchase to a cause that is dear to you. If you have the time and are looking for a community that understands what you're going through, come and join us as a volunteer. Every action helps organizations like WINS rebuild lives and create a Calgary where everyone thrives. To learn more about the New Face of Poverty, please visit https://lnkd.in/gv-yiSCA #poverty #povertyalleviation #winsyyc #yyc

Maryland's Enough Act strategy has the potential to make a significant impact in ending child poverty worldwide, and if adopted by other global leaders, it could bring about substantial change. The essence of this strategy lies in addressing poverty at its core. By uprooting poverty from its roots, we can effectively eradicate it. If world leaders implement this strategy in the poorest communities, we can expect to see remarkable progress. Children in Africa, for example, would have access to essential resources such as : #education #healthcare #cleanwater #food #shelter #socialservices When every child has access to these basic necessities, they are given the opportunity to break free from the shackles of poverty. It is crucial for world leaders to recognize the potential of the Maryland Enough Act strategy and take action. By prioritizing the needs of impoverished communities and providing the necessary resources, we can create a future where no child is left behind in the cycle of poverty. Together, we can work towards building a world where every child has the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.

I appreciated the opportunity to share the situation in Ohio with The New York Times. Nothern Ohio has historically had a slower recovery than other parts of the country following a recession, and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Nearly a quarter of our population is over 60 which creates different demands in need, available housing is low causing a spike in rents, childcare remains a challenge, and the decades-long issue of a lack of public transportation continues to plague our neighbors. While Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio continues to source near-record amounts of food & grocery products the number of neighbors seeking food assistance means the amount distributed per family is at its lowest level in 6 years.

Today marks the beginning of Anti-Poverty Week for 2024. 14% of young people (15-24 years) are living in poverty. That's approximately 1 in 7 young people across the country who are forgoing essentials and experiencing insecurity when it comes to things like food and housing. 🔗 Find out more about Anti-Poverty Week: https://lnkd.in/g6geS96 #AntiPovertyWeek #EndChildPoverty #RaiseTheRate #FairHousingFuture ID: Tile is navy with a green map of Australia and stripe along the bottom. There are navy figures of adults and children (holding teddy bears), and one adult and child in red. Source: Australian Council of Social Service ‘Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected’