Homeless Awareness Week in Monroe County will be held Nov. 15-21. The planning committee is working on the schedule of activities, donation drives, the community resource expo now called Project Connect, and its marketing campaign.
I get copies of the committee’s minutes, since my job at The Monroe Evening News includes reporting on the local non-profit [...]

The Los Angeles Times has this report, picked up by the Detroit News today, on When it feels like the house’s walls are closing in.
A snippet:
Several articles published recently have attempted to celebrate an upshot of the down economy: If a parent loses a job and kids have less money for movies and dinners out [...]

Are there really potential first-time home buyers in southeast Michigan who have a steady job, good credit and are “ready to pounce” on a purchase?”
Wow. I would think that’s a rare combination in this area, based on the stories I’ve been hearing in the community. There are just way too many people I have met [...]

The Housing Options / Problem Erasing seminar was held Wednesday night at Monroe County Community College.
It’s similar to the mortgage solution community meetings that have been held in many places across the country during the past 18 months, including one that took place a year ago in Monroe. But this program was also aimed [...]

The Monroe Evening News reports today at the number of county homeless is on the decline.
A snippet:
“I’m surprised to see that number going down,” said Joe Grifka, the director of Fairview. I’m wondering if people are just fleeing southeast Michigan.”
To apply for and maintain public grants, communities are required by the U.S. Department of Housing [...]

USA Today has this report: More families move in together during housing crisis.
A snippet:

Siblings are moving in with one another to help pay the mortgage. Adult children who’ve lost homes to foreclosure are moving back home with Mom and Dad. Even spouses in the throes of divorce are putting off separating, living together in awkward [...]

Detroit News has this report today: More homeowners renting out rooms to make ends meet.
In addition to some examples of how and why people are doing this, the article provides a lot of helpful tips to consider. After all, you’ll be a landlord and that brings a whole lot of logistical issues.
A snippet:
Joe Iacona, who [...]

This story is on page 2A of today’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News. No, the agency did not include specific income amounts in its announcement – call for details if you think you may qualify. If you looked into this program previously, it may be easier now than it has been in [...]

This post is part of my Downsized Budget series. For an introduction and links, go to The Downsized Budget: How and Where to Cut Back.
In the Crown Financial Ministries household budget system that I’m using as a reference point, housing expenses include mortgage or rent, gas, electric, maintenance / repair, trash pickup fees if you [...]

The following article is on page 1A of Friday’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News:
Homeowners are being sought by Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.
The local non-profit group is accepting applications for a Habitat house through January.
According to Executive Director Deborah Wykes, the local Habitat is anticipating the contruction or rehabilitation of approximately [...]