South Sound personal bankruptcy filings continue to rise

Vegas is not the only place where people are in trouble. Personal bankruptcy has spiked in the southern suburbs of Olympia, WA:

Thurston County filings rose 16 percent to 349 from 300 in the same period last year, while filings in Pierce County rose less than 1 percent, the data show. Although the percentage change in filings for Pierce County wasn't as dramatic, the total number of filings was much higher. Pierce County filings rose to 1,237 in the first quarter from 1,229 in the same period last year, the data show.

50,000 New Low Income Housing Units Added to Online Database

In an effort increase access to affordable housing in the US National Low Income Housing Authority have launched a free online database.

The web site is an easy-to-use free online tool that offers valuable information, resources, and tips on how to find and apply for low income housing programs, affordable housing programs, and other similar government assistance programs. Those who are going through a financial crisis can use the site to find an affordable place to live, to be informed about what their options are, and to be encouraged that there is help available.

This online market place is designed to property owners and people seeking access to affordable housing. This reduces one of the biggest current barriers.

1 in 8 Americans have either filed or considered filing for bankruptcy

We do not needed to be reminded that time are tough. Even as the stock market recovers and businesses start hiring again, there are still a lot of people struggling just to make ends meet.

A new study from Findlaw.com seems to bare this out:

The FindLaw.com survey found that people between the ages of 35 and 54 are 50 percent more likely to have considered filing for bankruptcy than people ages 18-34 or 55 and older. The group least likely to have considered filing for bankruptcy remains people of retirement age (65 and older) at 7 percent.

With so many people considering personal bankruptcy as a solution, we need to start thinking about this problem in a new way. This is not people living beyond their means. This is about a systemic problem about how we, in the US, relate to commerce.