Report shows US homeless rate held steady amid recession

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Dec 10, 2012

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Report shows US homeless rate held steady amid recession

A federal report out today shows homeless rates held steady over the last year, despite the recession. But the report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development also raises doubts that the federal government can reach its goal of ending chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015.

A homeless man named Bob waits for donations from passing motorists on October 11, 2012 in Camden, New Jersey. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Camden, New Jersey is now the most impoverished city in the United States with nearly 32,000 of Camden's residents living below the poverty line. Camden, which sits just over the bridge from more affluent Philadelphia, also has a chronic crime problem with 48 recorded homicides this year alone. A lack of jobs has been a feature of life in Camden since the city lost most of its manufacturing base in the late 60's and 1970's. While the state unemployment rate is about 9.9 percent, Camden's is estimated at 19 percent.

A federal report out today shows homeless rates held steady over the last year, despite the recession. But the report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development also raises doubts that the federal government can reach its goal of ending chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015.