All it takes is one blip to send many hard-working Americans over the edge into poverty. Such is the case of the Rev. Joe Louis and his wife, Maria, who live in Enka, N.C.Because of a medical condition, Maria Louis became disabled and the couple found themselves with more than $25,000 in home equity loans in a year's time and medical bills that they can't pay. Many Americans find themselves on a dangerous precipice - teetering between just getting by and real poverty. An unexpected medical condition, an injury at work, a layoff, a pay cut or an interest-rate hike may be enough to push them over the edge.
According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Louises' story is not uncommon. "Relief agencies say hard workers -- because of bad luck and bad timing are falling behind. Increasingly, area agencies are seeing people who could be called "the new poor."
