The United States Conference of Mayors released its annual report on a survey of hunger and homelessness in selected cities. The 25 cities surveyed are members of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness. City officials are asked to report on the causes and extent of hunger and homelessness in their cities, as well as the emergency food assistance and homeless assistance provided between September 2013 and August 2014.
The 2014 report shows that 48% of the cities experienced an increase in homelessness. It identifies a lack of affordable housing as the leading cause of homelessness among families with children, followed by unemployment, poverty, and low-wage jobs.
The number of homeless persons increased an average of 1%. The number of families experiencing homelessness increased an average of 3%, with 43% of all cities reporting an increase. A lack of affordable housing is the lead cause of homelessness among families with children. Providing more assisted housing topped the list of actions needed to reduce homelessness. Thirty-nine percent of the city officials anticipate an increase in the number of homeless families.
Seventy-three percent of the cities reported that emergency shelters had to turn away homeless families with children due to a lack of available beds. Twenty-seven percent of the cities expected resources for emergency shelter to decrease, while 68% expected resources to remain the same.
Seventy-one percent of the cities reported increased requests for emergency food assistance. On average, emergency food assistance requests rose 7%. Low wages, poverty, unemployment, and high housing costs are the causes of hunger. Eighty-four percent of the officials expect requests for food assistance to increase.
The 2014 Hunger and Homelessness Survey is at http://usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/2014/1211-report-hh.pdf