Monday, August 20, 2001 Donna Terek / The Detroit News The Rev. Levi Williams and his wife Rita almost lost their home when they were persuaded to take out a second mortgage for $14,000 to put in new windows. Lenders exploit poor's few assets Elderly, minorities often targets Part 2: Equity in home Part 3: Many ways to lose Poor victimized by high car loans Complaints surge against firms getting high auto loan rates Car loan tips How to recognize predatory lending Sunday, August 19, 2001 Families in poverty pay more to survive Expensive groceries, credit sap resources Donna Terek / The Detroit News Payday lending is a booming business across the country and is unregulated in Michigan. Borrowers sometimes pay as much as 900 percent interest. Payday loans trap borrowers High fees, interest snare disadvantaged in a vicious cycle Part 2: High interest or fee? Part 3: Uncertainty in Michigan Part 4: Bill has critics Part 5: Payday lending defended How payday loans work Less expensive alternatives Tips for avoiding financial trouble State considers some regulation Sunday, March 25, 2001 Photos By Donna Terek / The Detroit News Lori Denton, 36, and her three children wound up at a homeless center when she was fired because unreliable transportation caused her to be late for work. Solving the transportation problem is integral to the success of welfare-to-work programs. Off welfare, still broke Although employed, poor lose out on economic boom and still struggle No car, no bus means no job 2-hour ride strains mom Mother of 6 faces long daily bus trip in attempt to get ahead Finding a lift proves major hurdle No transportation limits job choices for Novi mother Working poor eke out living Good times rolled by. Now what? Donations of cars, van pools offer relief Private sector could play key role in filling transportation gaps for the working poor S
