The media have been arguing about who should get credit for the “booming” economy: Trump or Obama. But if the economy is “booming,” then:

Why are so many people living paycheck to paycheck?—78% of workers according to a recent report.

Why are seven million Americans three months behind on their car payments? 

How do you explain how the government shutdown affected the finances of federal workers? 62% of federal workers depleted all or most of their savings. 42% took on debt, 25% tapped their retirement accounts, and 25% visited a food bank.

Clearly, the economy boom applies to only a small slice of Americans.

Virginia Poverty Law Center works for economic justice so that everyone benefits from a thriving economy. We’re working for a fair marketplace, to protect the rights of renters, for fair access to housing, for utility rate fairness, and to protect those in economic distress from predatory lenders and student loan servicers.

Poor Americans are being left out of the narrative—it’s time for us to listen to these stories.

Join us in our mission to lead and coordinate efforts to seek justice in civil legal matters for lower income Virginians—learn more, volunteer, or donate.