Mayors Admit Homelessness and Hunger Is Increasing

The US Conference of Mayors released a survey several months ago revealing that homelessness and hunger increased dramatically in their cities during the 2007 year. It was a survey of 23 cities around the country.

“Requests for emergency food increased in four of every five cities. Among 15 cities with quantifying data, the median increase in requests for food was 10 percent and in some cities it was much higher. Detroit and some other cities reported seeing more working poor among those seeking food.

“The survey found that nearly one in four unduplicated shelter stays were by members of family groups. The ratio of family members to singles was found to be roughly equal in homeless counts compiled elsewhere that document sheltered homeless on any given individual night.

“In general, cities reported actual increases in households with children in their transitional or emergency housing over the past year. Nine in 10 cities said that more permanent housing was needed to mediate the problem of homelessness.

“Thousands of beds to house the homeless were added in the surveyed cities, yet half the cities reported they turn people away some or all of the time. In Phoenix, 7,000 to 10,000 are homeless on any given night and 3,000 cannot be sheltered due to lack of beds.”

In looking at this, it is difficult evaluate the state of homelessness in our country when some are saying homelessness is decreasing and others are saying it is increasing.

I would say that if mayors (who, as politicians, typically want to show how good their cities are doing) are admitting that homelessness is increasing… then there is some truth to it.

(Pic from www.heartworkcamp.com)