December 19, 2011 | Spotlight on Poverty
This summer, the debt ceiling debate revived the Reagan-era argument that government is the problem, not part of the solution. This focus on reducing the size of government has obscured the cost-saving successes of targeted, collaborative federal anti-poverty programs.
A great example of this approach, and a model for other programs, is the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), which provides a pathway out of poverty while ultimately reducing government spending. It’s time to follow the lead of this initiative, and begin focusing on integrated programs that save taxpayer dollars while improving outcomes for family economic security. [...]