The Enduring Legacy of Bushenomics – Part 3

Homelessness

A few facts, that speak for themselves, without commentary:

According to a 2007 study by the US Conference of Mayors (prior to the housing meltdown and foreclosuremania):

12 of 13 cities surveyed turned people away due to overcrowding in homeless shelters

10 cities reported increases in households with children seeking shelters

The average length of stay n a homeless shelter was 70 days for families

Families with children comprise 23% of the US homeless population

In 2008, the Conference of Mayors reported:

19 of the 21 cities responding reported an increase in their homeless populations during the year.

16 of the 25 reported increases in the number of families becoming homeless

Of the 19 cities that collect data on employed people whoa re homeless, 11 cities reported an increase in this number

All 21 cities with available statistics reported increases in the numbers of people seeking food aid for the first time.

New York City reported an increase in the length of time of shelter stays for families to almost 12 months up from 5 months in the 1990’s.

The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that:

There are 200,00 homeless vets on any given night, and approximately 400,000 vets experience homeless during a twelve month period.

1.35 million children experience homelessness in a twelve-month period, with 200,000 homeless on any given day.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports:

From 1999-2006 the annual funding for pubic housing declined by 25%

From 1997-2007, as much as 170,000 units of public housing were lost due to deterioration

From 2004-2007, housing vouchers for low-income families were reduced by 150,000

There are more then 15.8 million families eligible for federal housing vouchers, but only one in nine receive these vouchers.

Between 2004-2007 federal funding for affordable housing and community development was reduced by over $14 billion