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Another Hungry and Homeless X-mas
Most Americans were probably too busy shopping until they dropped to notice, but the U.S. Conference of Mayors just released its latest findings on hunger and homelessness in America. It's not full of holiday cheer. It also doesn't tell you anything you don't already know. Unless you've been comatose for at least the last decade. According to the report, more people were hungry and homeless in this country in 2006 than they were in 2005. Over the past several years, the number of people in need has been steadily rising.
It's not going to improve. The mayors' group, which has been releasing studies of this sort for more than 20 years, predicts that things will only get worse in 2007. "Peace and goodwill to men" may be the order of the day, but food, affordable housing and universal healthcare would go a lot further. Mary ended up giving birth to Jesus in a manger, but America's homeless won't even have that much this xmas.
Among the many disturbing statistics of this year's report: 25% of the residents in emergency shelters were children. One-third of hungry adults were employed. In 86% of the cities, homeless folks had to be turned away from emergency shelters due to a lack of resources. About 74% of the cities saw a marked increase (7%) in the need for emergency food assistance. Over 23% of the requests for emergency food went completely unfilled. The length of time that someone remained homeless increased in 32% of the cities.
While many cities have plans in place to tackle homelessness, they are not meeting the tremendous need that exists. It's no wonder: With six years of Bush administration cuts to social services, including HUD funding, people in America are needier than they've ever been.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=4033#more
Among the many disturbing statistics of this year's report: 25% of the residents in emergency shelters were children. One-third of hungry adults were employed. In 86% of the cities, homeless folks had to be turned away from emergency shelters due to a lack of resources. About 74% of the cities saw a marked increase (7%) in the need for emergency food assistance. Over 23% of the requests for emergency food went completely unfilled. The length of time that someone remained homeless increased in 32% of the cities.
While many cities have plans in place to tackle homelessness, they are not meeting the tremendous need that exists. It's no wonder: With six years of Bush administration cuts to social services, including HUD funding, people in America are needier than they've ever been.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=4033#more
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