Pisgah Legal Services published five recommendations in a brief, “Putting a Dent in Poverty in 2012.” It begins by saying Buncombe County’s poverty rate was 17.2%, which is more than double the current unemployment rate. The number of people receiving food stamps has doubled since 2008. The current number, 37,000, represents 16% of the population of Buncombe County, and is equal to over half the population of Asheville. Following are my opinions on their opinions:

  1. Stop More Unnecessary Foreclosures. Pisgah Legal Services has prevented 80% of foreclosures brought before them. They recommend, “Local, state and federal governments, foundations, United Ways, and individuals should fund more legal assistance for people who cannot afford legal counsel.” I disagree, as governments get their funds by taxing people and putting them closer to foreclosure. Persons more recently marginalized are perhaps not as likely to qualify for free legal assistance, and so their goose will be cooked.
  2. Create Construction Jobs. PLS recommends constructing more affordable housing in order to create jobs. On the surface, that demands a pot of magic money, as developers who cannot meet their price point due to legislated sale prices are going to have to cut costs somewhere, as in the number of hires or their wages. One cannot skimp on materials or floorplans, as that would likely violate codes, obsturb the sense of place of activists and elected officials, and stigmatize recipients of affordable housing. PLS, however, is on to this, so they call attention to the fact that, “Many cities in NC have passed multiple affordable housing bonds.” Looking at the supply side, which does not cease to exist because we refuse to look at it, the bonds will amount to future obligations to be drained from taxpayers, a number of whom are about to be marginalized into foreclosure.
  3. Invest in Programs That Work. PLS opines, “Local, state and federal governments should re-invest in social programs that work. Nonprofits, like Pisgah Legal Services, Homeward Bound, and others with a proven track record of resolving problems of poverty are a critical part of our community’s infrastructure, just as schools, roads and public utilities are.” They then enumerated a few economic multipliers. Well, that is just a plug for more PLS funding, from which I wouldn’t benefit as much as they.
  4. Reduce Domestic Violence. Hey! Here’s something on which we agree. I think this country was established to liberate the captives, including those held hostage by minityrants. To be extra clear, captivating the liberated was not part of the original intent for liberating the captives.
  5. More Weatherization to Save Money and Help the Environment. This is a great idea. I even helped Warren Wilson College with their programs to weatherize low-income homes. Heating bills for some drafty digs in these parts can be as high as $400/month. It would be swell for charities to intervene with stop-gap measures rather than blowing wads of cash to help people heat the outdoors. If PLS wants government to use tax dollars to outcompete the home weatherization industry, then I shall have to disagree.

All told, I must compliment PLS on one thing. They do not gouge people on the order of $200/hr like others in their profession.