Poverty
How Housing Authorities Can Shape School Outcomes
In Tacoma, Washington, and other U.S. cities, housing departments are collaborating with school districts to give low-income and homeless students a leg up.
L.A. County’s Latest Solution to Homelessness Is a Test of Compassion
Residents can get up to $75,000 to build a “granny flat”—if they open it up to a homeless family.
Rethinking India's Slum Resettlement Policy
A recent study makes a case for the government to engage with slums, rather than relocating inhabitants to cities’ outskirts.
How Some Kids Escape Poverty
Just 16 percent of children who grow up in poverty manage to become economically successful adults. How do they do it?
Can Kansas City Come Together?
Voters from around the city just approved a citizen-led tax initiative that will funnel funds only to the long-neglected east side. But Kansas City’s racial fractures may be hard to heal.
This Chicago Startup Is Easing the Headache of Applying for Food Stamps
In five minutes, mRelief helps users learn whether they qualify, and how to claim benefits.
When Nonprofits Are the New City Leaders
In some low-income neighborhoods, they’re regarded as more authentic representatives of the residents. That has good and bad consequences.
How Albuquerque Is Taking 'Will Work for Food' Literally
A mayor’s plan to connect panhandlers with jobs.
To Cut Down Poverty, Cut Down the Cost of Living
A basic principle of finance could yield big wins for U.S. cities, according to a new policy agenda.
Where Books Are All But Nonexistent
In many high-poverty urban neighborhoods, it’s nearly impossible for a poor child to find something to read in the summer.
Why a Running Club for the Homeless Is Heading to San Francisco
The nonprofit Back on My Feet, which promotes jogging routines to help stabilize the lives of homeless people, will launch in the Bay Area in the fall.
Using Literature as a Force for Good Among Austin's Homeless Population
Through book donations and creative writing classes, one man is giving back to a community of which he was once a part.
A Case for Homeless Shelter Networks as Basic Infrastructure
D.C.’s promising new plan would equitably distribute such facilities across the city and serve more residents.
A Remarkably Simple, Low-Cost Way to Reduce Juvenile Crime: Thinking Slow
The intervention has been effective in Chicago schools and detention centers.
What I Learned From a Poverty Simulation
To start, it was a far more sobering experience than I expected.
The Next Wave of Bike-Share Innovations May Focus on Equity
Several cities are trying out new ways of encouraging low-income residents to sign up.
A Danish City Is Using GPS to Track (and Help) the Homeless
An opt-in program in Odense aims to use the data to bring services to the homeless where they already congregate.
Can Cities Ease Homelessness With Storage Units?
Providing storage solutions for the homeless helps bring stability and dignity to their lives.
A Great Place to Put Community Health Clinics: Fire Stations
A new firehouse clinic in California shows how an abundant but under-used public resource—fire stations—can be made even more useful for a community.
The Particular Challenge of Helping Homeless LGBTQ Youth
These kids are hard to find, and often face even greater struggles than their straight peers.