Homeless Rate Rising in Iraq as well as the US.....

[leftchick]

Democracy and freedom, can't beat it.....



Iraqi women and children gather outside of their homes in protest against plans to evict them from the former Iraqi government residential complex in Baghdad, Iraq (news - web sites) Wednesday, March 23, 2005. The families have been squatting in a former Interior Ministry property since shortly after the U.S.-led invasion two years ago.(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

[chlamor]

1. It's all connected

I'd like to see the hard to accurately report stats on homelessness in US.

[ultraist]

3. It's difficult to get an accurate count on the homeless

But all of the estimates and studies show it is getting worse. We also know that the poverty rate is increasing. The US Census Bureau report that 1.5 Million more fell into poverty last year alone.

http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org/hunger.asp?id2=15770

Just last year, the national poverty rate rose to include 35.9 million Americans, 12.5 percent of the population. More than 36 million people were at risk of suffering from hunger in the United States, including 1 in 3 children. In addition, 3.5 million people were forced to sleep in parks, under bridges, in shelter or cars.

The number of people requesting emergency food at agencies is increasing.

• 74% of agencies surveyed reported an increase in requests for food assistance over the past year; on average, surveyed agencies reported a 28% increase in requests.

The number of people requesting emergency shelter at agencies is increasing.

• 65% of agencies surveyed reported an increase in requests for shelter over the past year; on average, surveyed agencies reported a 27% increase in requests.

Agencies reported that more people are experiencing hunger and homelessness in their communities than assistance is available.

• 24% of emergency food providers surveyed reported that they turned away requests for food this past year, primarily due to a lack of resources.

• 77% of emergency shelter providers surveyed reported that they turned away requests for shelter this past year, primarily due to a lack of resources.

Many agencies reported funding cuts over the past year; cuts from government sources were most frequent.

• 33% of agencies reported reduced income over the past year; 43% of agencies saw funding cuts from the state government and 35% from the federal government.

A significant percent of agencies that turned away requests for assistance reported a decrease in overall income in the past year.

• 39% of emergency food providers and 43% of emergency shelter providers that reported turning away requests for assistance also reported reduced income this past year

[chlamor]

4. Heartbreaking

Military budget at nearly a trillion when all totals are considered. WEALTHFARE at 815 billion for Corp. subsidies. Wealthiest nation my ass. Greediest maybe. Sometimes it is just too disgusting. But I won't turn away. We got to change it in our communities in our every day lives. If not for the turn of a friendly card...

Peace

[ultraist]

6. Wealthfare is exactly right!

No cuts to corporate welfare. We couldn't have CEOs making less than 20 million per year, plus tax exempt bonuses/stocks benefits.

The number of multimillionaires and billionaires in the US increased last year, while the number in poverty increased. Something is very askew in this system.

1 in 3 children in the US is in poverty. SHAMEFUL.

[Dr.Phool]

2. I guess when you bomb someones house

Or level their city, it creates a few homeless.

[chlamor]

5. Kick

http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org/hunger.asp?id2=157...

Just last year, the national poverty rate rose to include 35.9 million Americans, 12.5 percent of the population. More than 36 million people were at risk of suffering from hunger in the United States, including 1 in 3 children. In addition, 3.5 million people were forced to sleep in parks, under bridges, in shelter or cars.