JOBLESSNESS LEADS TO MORE HUNGRY & HOMELESS FAMILIES IN U.S. CITIES

Mayors Issue Annual Report Including 29 Major Cities; Highlight Local Responses

In the area of homelessness, 42 percent of the cities reported an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness by an average of seven percent. Among families, the number experiencing homelessness increased by an average of 15 percent with 58 percent of the survey cities reporting an increase.

As with hunger, unemployment led the list of causes of homelessness for families. This was followed by lack of affordable housing and by poverty. Unemployment also led the list of causes of homelessness among individuals, followed by lack of affordable housing, mental illness and lack of needed services, and substance abuse and lack of needed services.

When asked for suggestions to combat homelessness, respondents called for providing more mainstream assisted housing, rather than shelters. They also called for more permanent housing for people with disabilities and more or better-paying employment opportunities.

Read/Download the full report here.