- More people struggling to stay warm, taxing agencies, By Steve Neavling, February 2, 2010, Detroit Free Press: “Working just eight hours a week, Cynthia Caruthers can barely afford to keep her heat on for a few hours a day. ‘I’ve never had anything like this happen to me,’ said Caruthers, 42, who lives with her 14-year-old son in Detroit and can’t find a better job. ‘It’s scary.’ Caruthers is among an increasing number of metro Detroiters at risk of losing heat this winter because they either can’t find work or are struggling with small paychecks. Compared with last year, the problem this winter is particularly brutal: The number of unemployed residents rose 33%. State and local agencies are responding with extra money and resources to help down-on-their-luck families pay their utility bills, but officials fear it won’t be enough…”
- Utilities ordered to ease shutoffs, By Ryan Carter, February 4, 2010, San Gabriel Valley Tribune: “The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday required utility companies to curb a trend toward increased power shut-offs at a time when many customers are having a tough time paying the bills. Commissioners unanimously required Rosemead-based Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Co. to inform customers with past-due bills – but who can keep current on their current payments – that they have three months to arrange a plan to pay the utility. That could be extended to 12 months depending on a customer’s situation, Commissioner Michael Peevey said. To further ease the payment burden, any disconnected customer who has established credit with a utility would not be required to pay reconnection fees…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty