Who's Irresponsible Now?

by Leigh Graham · 2009-03-11 12:00:00 UTC
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Tampa area county affordable housing programs have dramatically lower foreclosure rates than the region, an area absolutely pummeled by the mortgage crisis.  Why are the poor such responsible homeowners, you ask?  Well, the loans require extensive education and preparation, cannot exceed a certain percentage of income, are offered at fixed rates for 30 years, and are backstopped by foreclosure prevention assistance. The article goes on to venture: "In reality, low-income residents may be better prepared to handle the financial impact of a housing crisis coupled with a lagging economy."

Well, maybe they can teach all us irresponsible middle-class hedonists a thing or two about surviving on insufficient wages amidst skyrocketing costs and crashing property values.

The Arizona Community Action Association, a non-profit focusing on poverty prevention, is preparing to launch a campaign they have coined "The Changing Face of Poverty in Arizona."

The effort is aimed at creating awareness of the amount of middle-class families and individuals who have fallen into poverty or near poverty.

The formerly middle-class, a.k.a. the newly poor, have trouble asking for help, anti-poverty advocates say.  Apparently indulgent emotions such as pride or fear of stigma prevent us from stepping up and filling out the food stamp forms, or showing up to collect free groceries.  Service providers wish we'd realize this isn't about personal failure, but how can we buy that, when we've been busy demonizing the less fortunate among us for so long now?   It's through the looking glass to the food pantry for us!

(photo by makelessnoise)

Leigh Graham
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