MAYOR AND USCM ISSUE REPORT ON HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS

LOS ANGELES, CA – December 22, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Villaraigosa joined a news conference call with fellow US Conference of Mayor (USCM) counterparts to discuss the issues of hunger and homelessness in the United States. These issues remain major challenges in U.S. cities according to a USCM report on the status of Hunger and Homelessness in 27 cities in America (listed below) that was released today by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

For more than a quarter century, The Conference of Mayors has documented the magnitude of the issues of hunger and homelessness in our nation’s cities, as well as efforts cities are making to address these challenges.

“This year’s survey makes it clear that even working families are increasingly at risk for hunger and homelessness as a result of the crippled economy and rising unemployment,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “As mayors, it is our responsibility to create effective local programs and strengthen federal partnerships to help those in need.”

Every city surveyed reported that requests for emergency food assistance increased by an average of 24 percent across the cities over the past year. Among those requesting emergency food service, 56 percent were families and 30 percent were employed. When asked to report on the three main causes of hunger, respondents cited unemployment, housing costs and low wages.

Over the next year, 56 percent of surveyed cities expect a moderate decrease in resources for providing emergency food assistance; and another 8 percent expect a substantial decrease.  In fact, cities most frequently cited increasing demand and decreasing resources, particularly related to federal and state budget problems, as the biggest challenge to addressing hunger in the coming year.

To combat hunger, many cities have instituted programs to address the challenge over the long term.  Examples of successful initiatives include providing needy children with back-packs filled with non-perishable food in Asheville; a program that matches food cupboards with local gardeners to provide participants with locally-grown fresh produce in Philadelphia; and a comprehensive program in Los Angeles to raise community awareness about food stamp benefits (One E-App), help people to determine eligibility and assist individuals in navigating through the application process.

“At this time of historic economic crisis, the effects of hunger and homelessness are clearly evident in America’s cities and urban centers.  This is why mayors have been so proactive in implementing local food programs and why federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the food stamp program, are so critical,” said Asheville, NC Mayor Terry Bellamy who Chairs the USCM Hunger and Homelessness Task Force and participated in the press conference call.  “The SNAP program is an integral safety net support for hungry families in our cities.  Mayors want to ensure that the recent cuts made in the new Child Nutrition Act are restored, and we support the Administration’s efforts in this regard.”

In the area of homelessness, the number of unaccompanied individuals experiencing homelessness over the past year increased by two percent in the surveyed cities, and the number of families experiencing homelessness increased by an average of 9 percent.

For families, unemployment was the leading cause of homelessness in the surveyed cities; for individuals it was the lack of affordable housing.

Across the surveyed cities, an average of 27 percent of homeless persons needing assistance did not receive it because of a lack of resources.  When asked about the outlook for next year, officials were not optimistic:  in 72 percent of the surveyed cities they expect the number of homeless families to increase, and officials in 77 percent of the cities expect the number of homeless individuals to increase as a result of a decrease in resources to provide emergency shelter.

In the survey report, twenty-four of the surveyed cities described programs that have been effective in addressing problems of homelessness in their communities.  Many of these cited HUD’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program as the source of their funds for these programs.

“This report highlights the many factors that contribute to the issues of hunger and homelessness,” said Burnsville, MN Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, who is the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.   “Although the report surveys 27 cities, it  mirrors what is happening nationally.   At a time when poverty rate at a record high, and in many cities unemployment is in double-digits, mayors cannot handle these challenges alone.  We need all levels of government, as well as the private sector, to partner with us to assist growing numbers in our communities.”

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who was also featured on the call, spoke about the Administration’s efforts on the national level to combat these issues.  “Our nation’s mayors are on the front lines in the battle against hunger and homelessness.”

Prepared by City Policy Associates, the report contains individual profiles for each city in the survey including the median household income, the metro unemployment rate, the monthly foreclosure rate, the percentage of people in the city who fall below in the poverty line and contact information for specific service providers.  The report is based on data collected from The U.S. Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Information Questionnaire, completed by cities that reported on persons receiving food and shelter services over a one-year period from September 2009 to August 2010.  A copy of the report and survey questionnaire can be downloaded at The Conference of Mayors website at www.usmayors.org.  An audio file of the press conference call will be available at www.usmayors.org on Wednesday, December 22nd.

The 27 participating cities in this survey are members of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness and include the following:
Asheville, NC

Boston, MA

Charleston, SC

Charlotte, NC

Chicago, IL

Cleveland, OH

Dallas, TX

Denver, CO

Des Moines, IA

Gastonia, NC

Kansas City, MO

Los Angeles, CA

Louisville, KY

Minneapolis, MN

Nashville, TN

Norfolk, VA

Philadelphia, PA

Phoenix, AZ

Portland, OR

Providence, RI

St. Paul, MN

Sacramento, CA

Salt Lake City, UT

San Antonio, TX

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

Trenton, NJ*

Contact:
Rachel Brashier (213) 978-0741*