"Hunger and homelessness stalk U.S. cities" - Family Homelessness up 9%

[defendandprotect]

Hunger and homelessness stalk U.S. cities

By Joseph Picard | December 22, 2010 12:05 PM EST

EXCERPTS

"This year's survey makes it clear that even working families are increasingly at risk for hunger and homelessness as a result of the crippled economy and rising unemployment. As mayors, it is our responsibility to create effective local programs and strengthen federal partnerships to help those in need," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

According to the survey, for families, unemployment was the leading cause of homelessness, while for individuals, it was the lack of affordable housing.

Across the surveyed cities, an average of 27 percent of homeless persons needing assistance did not receive it because of a lack of resources, the mayors found.

"Although the report surveys 27 cities, it mirrors what is happening nationally," said Burnsville, MN Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, who is the USCM president. "At a time when the poverty rate is at a record high, and in many cities unemployment is in double-digits, mayors cannot handle these challenges alone. We need all levels of government, as well as the private sector, to partner with us to assist growing numbers in our communities."


http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/94695/20101222/hunger-and-homelessness-stalk-u-s-cities.htm


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"Great Recession" -- ? Looks more like a Depression --

100 cities face default on their municipal bonds --
Mayors Conference cites need for federal help and private sector

In cities surveyed -- homelessnes is up by 2% -- Family homelessness up 9%

America needs jobs -- that means overturning the trade agreements which are making the

rich richer and Americans poorer.

The "stimulus" was only 25% of what economists told Obama was needed -- and billions of

that went to contracts for business.

We need to also make clear that NO private assistance is equal to the task -- it takes

GOVERNMENT ACTION to stop homelessness and the impoverishment of citizens!

[ixion]

1. What we're going through will make the Great Depression look like a walk in the park

in my opinion. Why?

- More people.

- More people who are out of shape, and don't know a thing about obtaining food beyond the grocery store.

- More people, who have no skill at crafting the things they need to survive.

- And the scope of this one is much larger, overall.

[w8liftinglady]

2. I agree.I know few people who can cook from scratch and improvise

It is really sad.I have seen the amount of homelessness in my area increase exponentially

[OregonBlue]

3. Talk to your parents and grandparents. This doesn't even begin to compare with the Great Depression.

[ixion]

6. I have diccussed with them and others... extensively. And I agree it's not as bad... yet

it's just getting started.

[defendandprotect]

9. True in many ways .....

but we may have the potential for even greater disaster --

first considering the hedge funds/derivatives -- 56 Trillion seems to be

the lowest figure mentioned --


PLUS some economists find 2009 "more troubling" --

debt in stocks, but also millions of homes, property, local governments, entire nations --

US is now a debtor nation -- and more households in US are in far greater debt.


and I'd add that a century and a quarter or more after the Industrial Revolution we have

total pollution of our environment -- and Global Warming threatening our existence on our

planet.

[eridani]

10. True. but that was because there were no safety nets at all back then

Repukes and Obama are busy trashing the ones we have in the name of deficit reduction.

[defendandprotect]

11. k/r

[defendandprotect]

5. k/r

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[DFW]

7. This video pretty much says it all

I was just about to post it as an OP, but it seems appropriate here as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNmC-26gNMM

[Forkboy]

8. K&R