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WGBH Local News

Time Running Out For Heat Assistance Program

By Jordan Weinstein
Baby, it's getting cold outside — and heating help for low-income families hangs in the balance as the federal government wrestles with budget cuts.

LOCAL NEWS

Luxury Housing And The Rental Crisis

CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: BOSTON'S SKYROCKETING RENTS

By Danielle Dreilinger
It's harder than ever to find an affordable place to live in greater Boston — and a research institute chalks it up partly to growing income inequality.

LOCAL NEWS

One Day Past Start Date, No Funds For Fuel

WGBH NEWS: TIME RUNNING OUT FOR FUEL PROGRAM

By Jordan Weinstein
November 1 usually marks the start of the annual federal winter fuel assistance program for low-income residents. This year, the money didn't go through on schedule.

Greater Boston

The Middle Class Index: Is The Dream Deferred?

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By WGBH News
Greater Boston received exclusive access to research conducted by independent think tank Mass Inc. about whether or not Massachusetts residents believe the American Dream is still attainable.

Social Issues

The Face Of Foreclosure In Mass.

WHERE WE LIVE: THE AMERICAN DREAM IN MASS.

By WGBH News
A photo exhibit traveling to Springfield documents families as the banks move in — and they try not to move out.

Social Issues

Mobile Pantry Addresses Veterans' Growing Need

By Cristina Quinn
The unemployment rate for Massachusetts veterans is high. So the state and Greater Boston Food Bank are trying to get food to veterans who need it — including, this week, a Thanksgiving turkey.

Social Issues

Charities Cope With Drop In Donations

By WGBH News
In Massachusetts, the prolonged recession is driving need up — and charitable giving down. Instead, people are helping family members. MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

Research News

Two Studies Find Growing Income Inequality In Region

WHERE WE LIVE
MORE EMILY ROONEY

By WGBH News
The Occupy movement has brought the issue of income inequality to the fore. Two new reports from MassINC and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council show that the divide between the Boston region's haves and have-nots is getting wider.

Innovation Hub

New Strategies To Tackle Poverty In Boston

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
We talk to organizations that are taking homeless people off the streets and investing in families — using the tactic of helping the poor by empowering them.

Innovation Hub

From Crates To Business To Government: Taking On Global Poverty

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
We invite panelists who represent a spectrum of innovations to combat global poverty — one big initiative, or one tiny step, at a time.

Social Issues

Poverty: 'No One's Proud To Get Government Cheese'

MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY

By WGBH News & Wires
New Census data show disturbingly high rates of poverty in the U.S. Should the government be doing more to help?

Social Issues

Get The Most Bang For Your Charity Buck

NPR: U.S. MOST CHARITABLE NATION

By Will Roseliep
Donors want to know their donation will be put to good use, but determining how their money is spent is difficult.

WGBH Local News

Gov. Patrick On Community Colleges, Jobs And Income Inequality

WATCH THE INTERVIEW

Governor Patrick talks on WGBH's "Basic Black" about his vision for unifying community colleges and the impact on people of color.

Poverty

Cracking Down On EBT Abuse

By Danielle Dreilinger
Republican lawmakers are putting pressure on Gov. Deval Patrick to overhaul what items publicly funded EBT cards can be used to purchase.

Government

Panel Recommends Limits on EBT Card Use

By Sarah Birnbaum
A Massachusetts commission is recommending new restrictions on Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT cards — the debit cards that replaced food stamps. Some lawmakers say the proposals don’t go far enough.

Cambridge

What's Next for Central Square?

By Jordan Weinstein
Major changes are coming to Central Square in Cambridge, fueling a resurgent urban renewal effort that some say is long overdue — and that others question.