The high rates of unemployment and poverty in America were the main causes of hunger and homelessness in cities across the country, according to a new survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The poll of 25 cities found that there was continuing growth in the demand for emergency food and housing even as resources dwindled.
Among individuals, unemployment led the list of causes of hunger and was also seen as the main reason for homelessness. Among families with children, unemployment led the list of causes of hunger in the survey as well while poverty topped the list of causes of homelessness.
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to a five year low of 7.0% in November, down sharply from its recession peak of 10% but still above its normal range of about 4%-5%. In the wake of the economic downturn, the U.S. lost about 8.7 million jobs; so far the country has gained about 7.4 million of those positions back, according to CNN news.
“We’re pleased, of course, that the unemployment rate has continued to drop during 2013,” said Santa Barbara, Calif., Mayor Helene Schneider, “but there are still too many unemployed workers in our cities, and this continues to add to the stress on emergency assistance programs.”
The slow rate of recovery was also cited as a main reason for the continued rise in needs for assistance programs.
“There’s no question that the nation’s economy is on the mend,” Schneider said, “but there’s also no question that the slow pace of recovery is making it difficult - and, for many, impossible - to respond to the growing needs of the hungry and the homeless.”
The Federal Role
The report was released just as the federal government reached an agreement on the budget.
But the deal left out a number of items considered important in the overall budget debate: An extension of long-term unemployment benefits due to expire on Dec. 31 for about 1.3 million jobless Americans
“Dealing with growing needs in the face of dwindling resources is nothing new for mayors,” said Santa Barbara’s Mayor Schneider, “but this year we are seriously concerned about what could happen to our emergency food and shelter programs next year, and in the years beyond, if the federal budget being debated in Congress this week makes it harder, not easier, to meet our responsibilities to all of our people.”
“One thing is certain today,” said Schneider. “Until our economy improves for all Americans, programs to combat poverty, hunger, and homelessness need to be protected, not sacrificed, by this Congress.”
Tom Cochran, the conference’s CEO and Executive Director, echoed that sentiment.
“Until our economy gets stronger, programs to combat poverty, hunger, and homelessness need to be protected, not sacrificed, by this Congress.”
Findings on Hunger
All but four of the cities surveyed reported that requests for emergency food assistance increased and three of those four said that requests remained at the same level as the previous year.
Emergency requests rose by an average of 7% and officials said that more than one in five of the people needing assistance did not get it. Among those requesting emergency food this year, 58% were people in families, 43% were employed, 21% were elderly, and 9% were homeless.
In all of the cities, emergency kitchens and food pantries had to reduce the quantity of food that a person could receive at each visit or trimmed the amount of food offered in meals served at kitchens.
More than three-fourths of the cities had to lower the number of times an individual or family could visit a food pantry each month. Two-thirds of the cities’ facilities had to turn people away because of lack of resources.
Findings on Homelessness
Over the past year, the number of families experiencing homelessness increased by an average of 4%, with 64% of the cities reporting an increase and 8% reporting no change from the previous year. The number of unaccompanied individuals experiencing homelessness increased across the cities by an average of 4%, with 54% reporting an increase and 17% reporting no change.
An average of 22% of homeless people needing help did not get it in 2013, officials reported.
Because no beds were available for them, emergency shelters in 71% of the survey cities said they must turn away homeless families with children, and shelters in two-thirds of the cities must turn away unaccompanied individuals.
The 25 cities participating in the survey were Asheville, N.C., Boston, Mass., Charleston, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Des Moines, Iowa; Los Angeles, Calif.; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; Nashville, TN; Norfolk, VA; Philadelphia, Penn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Plano, Texas; Providence, R.I.; Saint Paul, Minn.; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco, CA; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Trenton, N.J.; and Washington, D.C.
The full report can be found here:
