Annual Count Finds More Homelessness

[MountainLaurel]

In the DC metro area, mainly related to housing costs:

The Washington region's homeless population rose again for the fifth straight year, and the numbers include many working families who can no longer afford a place to live in the costly suburbs, according to results of an annual survey.

This year's total -- 15,439 -- reflects thousands of parents and children, low-wage workers, and people with mental and physical disabilities, addictions and AIDS.

A majority of the people counted across the region on that single day in January rely on a network of shelters, food pantries and social services to help them. But in one hopeful note, slightly more than a quarter, 4,020, are considered "permanently supported homeless" -- meaning they have found their way to housing programs that support their disabilities and other needs.

snip

The count showed that in several suburban counties, at least half of the heads of homeless households are working. In Loudoun County, 79 percent of homeless adults in families have jobs.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/11/AR2005051101758.html

[Sugarbleus]

1. WaPo did this article? Wow...

Glad they did. I read a thread in the Articles Forum where NYT is doing a piece on classism in America.

We've all wondered why the MSM almost NEVER runs stories on the growing underclass, poverty, costs of living, and beyond.

Great post ML :hi:

[MountainLaurel]

2. Surprising, isn't it

But the Post only does these sorts of things on a local basis -- I've never seen them tie these issues on a national level: to the lack of healthcare (especially mental health) for a majority of Americans, housing costs that have far outpaced salaries, child care issues, and this country's DISGRACEFUL minimum wage.

[Sugarbleus]

3. I can't argue with your assessment at all...

You are right; this needs to be on EVERY channel (or newspaper) in every community and done so more than ONCE a year!

I'm reading some VERY disturbing headlines concerning the working class, working poor, poor, and issues that may even affect the lower middle class. Every few days or weeks the admins policies get "worser and worser".

ALL of US domestic policy is DISGRACEFUL now. How very disturbing these times are. :scared: