Vol. 72/No. 45      November 17, 2008

In September, 1,464 families sought refuge in the municipal shelter system, the highest one-month amount since the city began keeping records 25 years ago. This figure is 22 percent higher than in September 2007.

“Those seeking help include working-class families never in this position before,” stated Patrick Markee, of the Coalition for the Homeless. “It shows the economic impact of the recession upon low-income families struggling to pay rent,” Markee told the Militant.

After declining slightly over the past year, the number of those staying at city shelters each night has increased to more than 35,000 people. The coalition reports there are 9,300 families and 15,000 children in shelters as of the end of September. Uncounted are those not seeking shelter or who have given up on being admitted to these facilities.

“African Americans comprise 50 percent and Latinos 25 percent of those in the shelter system, a disproportionately high amount,” said Markee.

The number of homeless individuals and families is rising nationwide. In Massachusetts homeless shelters are filled to capacity so the state has put up more than 500 families in hotels and motels, compared to 27 last year at this time. In Billings, Montana, records show that 382 homeless children attended school during the 2007-08 school year, reported AHN Media.
 
 
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