– There are more impoverished people living in the suburbs than there are in the urban areas they border, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution.  Between 2000 and 2008, the poverty rate in U.S. suburbs increased 25% — much faster than the national average.  The report says suburban population growth and the housing slump mean the suburbs now contain the country’s biggest and fastest-growing population of poor people.  Click here for more.

– More low-income residents in Prince George’s County will receive help buying homes.  The County Council passed a bill yesterday that will triple the amount of money low-income residents can receive to help them make down payments on houses.  A county official said the original amount — $20,000 — wasn’t enough assistance.  The cap has been raised to $60,000.  Click here for more details on the program.

The latest news, analysis and opinion on the state of low-income women and their families from Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, is excited to collaborate with The Women’s Foundation to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.  Spotlight is the go-to site for news and ideas about fighting poverty.

– Needy D.C. residents have been camping out for days at some service centers that process welfare and other aid applications.  The centers are so understaffed, and the need is so great that some D.C. Council members are calling the long lines a crisis.  Click here to read more.

– One of the politicians behind the King Holiday and Service Act says the holiday “has a long way to go.”  Click here to learn why.

– A D.C. couple has turned community activism into a successful business.  Click here to read about how they changed their neighborhood and started their own company.

Bob McDonnell at the Carpenter’s Shelter
in Alexandria.  Photo Credit: Hank Silverberg/WTOP

– Virginia’s governor-elect, Bob McDonnell, is wrapping up a week of service.  His most recent stop was at a homeless shelter in Alexandria, where he admitted that private charities will have to pick up the slack to make up for Virginia’s budget shortfalls.  Click here to listen to more about his visit.

The latest news, analysis and opinion on the state of low-income women and their families from Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, is excited to collaborate with The Women’s Foundation to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.  Spotlight is the go-to site for news and ideas about fighting poverty.

– CNN reports on what it’s like for a single mom to unexpectedly lose her job and home — a rising trend around the country:

My initial introduction to mentoring started with my own experiences with my mentors over 20 years ago.  Two decades later, I still have strong relationships with both of my female mentors.  Those relationships have inspired me to continue to make mentoring an important part of my life.  I have formed new mentor/mentee relationships in the areas of professional development and personal finance, and for several years I’ve been mentoring young girls.  Some are family members, some are girls I meet through programs, but most of them are from the metro DC area, so I can relate to many of the issues and challenges they face growing up in DC.

– The District government and the National Institute of Health are tackling the city’s HIV/AIDS epidemic with a $26.4 million initiative.  The money will go to expanding testing and treatment.  Click here to read more details in the Washington Post.