Vermont State

Rutland, VT

Keeping up with rising home energy costs can be tough, especially when household bills, like electric and groceries, continue to increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average energy prices were 29.9% greater in June 2024 compared to June 2020. Caring.com reveals that this, combined with other rising expenses, leaves many low- and moderate-income seniors as well as those on fixed incomes struggling to cover costs. Caring.com reveals that this, combined with other rising expenses, leaves many low- and moderate-income seniors as well as those on fixed incomes struggling to cover their household expenses.

Energy assistance benefits for seniors

Colorado State

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contributor

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

USA TODAY

Nearly half of people who receive federal housing vouchers are unable to use them. "It's a dire situation," one researcher said.

Voucher program is supposed to help poor families rent a home. Nearly half the time, it fails.

New Jersey State

Upworthy

Public discourse about minimum wage and living wages has been ongoing for years, with people debating whether the government should mandate a minimum hourly pay for workers.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first federal minimum wage law in 1938, setting the lowest wage a worker could be paid at 25 cents per hour. Nearly a century later, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, holding steady since 2009, with people lobbying to raise it to at least $15/hr for over a decade. However, in addition to federal law, each state has its own laws, a handful of which establish a state minimum wage higher than $15, a handful of which don't have a set minimum wage at all and everything in between.Cost of living has also been a hot topic as inflation has squeezed everyone's wallets and certain cities and states have become utterly unaffordable, especially for people in low-wage jobs or who who are just starting out in their careers. So how do minimum wage and cost of living correlate state-by-state? Are there any sweet spots with a high(er) minimum wage and low(er) cost of living? 

6 states where the minimum wage and cost of living offer the best bang for your buck

Fox Business

Vice President Kamala Harris says she wants to provide $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, but critics say the plan would only make housing issues worse.

Harris proposes $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers — is it a good idea?

Responding to months of pressure from veterans advocates and elected officials, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Thursday that it will change a widely criticized rule that excludes the most disabled veterans from subsidized housing designed for them. The rule, which HUD officials had previously said they...

HUD Will Allow Disabled Veterans to Subsidize Housing

Ann Arbor, MI

A temporary, pandemic-era expansion of the Child Tax Credit improved housing affordability for families with low incomes, according to University of Michigan research. The study by Natasha Pilkauskas and Katherine Michelmore, associate professors of public policy, and Nicole Kovski, a former U-M postdoctoral fellow now at the University of Wisconsin, found that parents who got the monthly credit were less likely to owe past-due rent or mortgage payments and they were less likely to need to move because they couldn't afford their housing. It also allowed parents to gain residential independence from partners they were living with and reduce the number of people residing in their household, likely decreasing household crowding.

Child Tax Credit expansion boosted housing affordability and stability, study shows

GOBankingRates

People receiving Social Security retirement benefits might be nervous about rumblings of a "possible" recession, especially those still working part-time. While the economy isn't in a recession yet,...

9 Ways Social Security Recipients Can Prepare for a Recession

Vice President Harris' campaign on Thursday will roll out some of her housing policy proposals, including her support for efforts aimed at lowering the cost of rent and helping renters who are struggling financially, according to details obtained by NBC News from a campaign official. Harris will propose plans to...

Harris to endorse protections for renters and removal of key tax benefits for Wall St. investors buying homes

NewsNation

Previously, a vet receiving disability checks would be barred from receiving federal housing subsidies.

New VA rules expand housing assistance for disabled veterans

Not long ago, Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Ling did a show on homelessness in the midst of the housing crisis. And let’s not ignore the fact that renters of single-family homes take extra risks, as well. The major cause of homelessness is plain and simple. It’s due to a...

Alternatives To Becoming Homeless: 7 Housing Options That Will Save You Money

Nearly 65 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits to pay the bills and enhance their lifestyles in retirement. Factors like when they claim their benefit, the percentage of their income...

I’m a Bank Teller: 4 Mistakes Social Security Recipients Make

If Fed rates don't decrease by at least 75 basis points soon, untapped home equity potential could serve as the "lifeline" for the U.S. economy, according to Meredith Whitney.

Expert who predicted 2008 mortgage crisis reveals the housing ‘lifeline’ if market doesn’t get moving

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Trailer Empire

Homeownership has long been the bedrock of the American Dream, symbolizing stability, wealth creation, and community investment. Yet, for many Americans, particularly younger generations and first-time buyers, this dream feels increasingly out of reach. Escalating home prices, stagnant wages, and stringent mortgage terms are making it harder than ever to step onto the property ladder. But what if a simple shift in mortgage structure could turn the tide?

The Future of Homeownership: Bridge the Wealth Gap and Sustain the American Dream

Georgia State

Crisp County, GA

Daily Coffee Press

On Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of 24 individuals following Operation Shyne Down. The GBI and other agencies served a total of 120 warrants on the suspects involved in the investigation, which targeted the criminal street gang G-Shyne Bloods and their involvement in criminal activities in Crisp County, Georgia.

Operation Results in More than 20 Charged with Gang Offenses, RICO, and more

Florida State

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Straight Arrow News SANcom

More and more landlords are offering incentives like free parking or a few weeks rent-free to try to fill vacancies amid a building boom.

More landlords offer incentives to get more renters

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Virginia State

Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. On July 28, 2024, a TikTok video posted by Erica W., known as @tasteofmelanin on the platform, garnered significant attention after she exposed disturbing racist decorations in an Airbnb rental. The incident occurred in a rental property that Erica had booked, although the exact location remains unspecified. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread concern and leading to the removal of the listing from Airbnb's platform.

Airbnb Listing Taken Down After Black Woman Finds Hanging Monkeys and Cotton Used As Decor

Center Rutland, VT

West Rutland, VT

Proctor, VT

Chittenden, VT

Pittsford, VT

Cuttingsville, VT

Florence, VT

Killington, VT

Castleton, VT

Wallingford, VT

Middletown Springs, VT

Bomoseen, VT

Pittsfield, VT

Poultney, VT

Brandon, VT

Stockbridge, VT

WCAX

NewsBreak

Vermont wins $2M in federal funding for affordable housing

https://dcusoqhsuupgy.cloudfront.net/transcodes/ALjk0000/default.mp4

Vermont wins $2M in federal funding for affordable housing

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