zimv20
Dec 19, 2003, 12:48 AM
link (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=718&e=9&u=/ap/20031218/ap_on_re_us/hunger_homelessness)
WASHINGTON - Hunger and homelessness increased in many of America's largest cities this year, with growing demand for emergency food supplies for families with children, the elderly and even people with jobs, a survey by U.S. mayors finds.
The report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, released Thursday, found that requests for emergency food assistance rose 17 percent overall from last year in the survey of 25 large cities. Requests for emergency shelter assistance increased by 13 percent, the report showed.
Most of the cities expected that requests for emergency food assistance and shelter would rise again over the coming year, the study said.
Food needs for the poor grew in nearly nine out of 10 of the surveyed cities.
_Fifty-nine percent of the people requesting emergency food assistance were members of families.
_Thirty-nine percent of the adults requesting emergency food assistance were employed.
_Requests for shelter by homeless families alone increased by 15 percent.
_People remain homeless an average of five months — longer than before, in most cities.
_Single men comprise 41 percent of the homeless population, families with children 40 percent, single women 14 percent and unaccompanied youth 5 percent.
WASHINGTON - Hunger and homelessness increased in many of America's largest cities this year, with growing demand for emergency food supplies for families with children, the elderly and even people with jobs, a survey by U.S. mayors finds.
The report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, released Thursday, found that requests for emergency food assistance rose 17 percent overall from last year in the survey of 25 large cities. Requests for emergency shelter assistance increased by 13 percent, the report showed.
Most of the cities expected that requests for emergency food assistance and shelter would rise again over the coming year, the study said.
Food needs for the poor grew in nearly nine out of 10 of the surveyed cities.
_Fifty-nine percent of the people requesting emergency food assistance were members of families.
_Thirty-nine percent of the adults requesting emergency food assistance were employed.
_Requests for shelter by homeless families alone increased by 15 percent.
_People remain homeless an average of five months — longer than before, in most cities.
_Single men comprise 41 percent of the homeless population, families with children 40 percent, single women 14 percent and unaccompanied youth 5 percent.
