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| US homeless numbers expected to rise as spending cuts deepen | US homeless numbers expected to rise as spending cuts deepen |
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| More than 630,000 Americans, equivalent to a city the size of Boston, are homeless, according the latest national estimate. | More than 630,000 Americans, equivalent to a city the size of Boston, are homeless, according the latest national estimate. |
| Federal stimulus funding helped keep the figure flat year-on-year, but the National Alliance to End Homelessness, which published the report, said it expected a steep rise as a result of the current squeeze on government spending and growth in poverty. | Federal stimulus funding helped keep the figure flat year-on-year, but the National Alliance to End Homelessness, which published the report, said it expected a steep rise as a result of the current squeeze on government spending and growth in poverty. |
| The national total of 633,782, based on the most recent official data for 2012, is calculated from the number of people sleeping rough or in shelters on a given night, meaning that far more people are likely to experience a bout of homelessness over the course of a year. In 2011 the equivalent figure was 636,017. | The national total of 633,782, based on the most recent official data for 2012, is calculated from the number of people sleeping rough or in shelters on a given night, meaning that far more people are likely to experience a bout of homelessness over the course of a year. In 2011 the equivalent figure was 636,017. |
| Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia saw a rise and there was also 10% jump in the number of people sharing homes with other families – seen as a precursor to future homelessness. | Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia saw a rise and there was also 10% jump in the number of people sharing homes with other families – seen as a precursor to future homelessness. |
| Improvements came among the long-term homeless and veterans, but Nan Roman, president of the Alliance, said the US sequester – designed to to cut $85bn from federal spending this year – was forcing the closure of a number of projects that supported these groups. | Improvements came among the long-term homeless and veterans, but Nan Roman, president of the Alliance, said the US sequester – designed to to cut $85bn from federal spending this year – was forcing the closure of a number of projects that supported these groups. |
| "Homelessness is a lagging indicator, and the effects of the poor economy are expected to increase it over the next the few years," she added. Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Missouri and the first African American mayor of Kansas City, said the figures showed grounds for hope that the problem could be tackled effectively by government intervention. | "Homelessness is a lagging indicator, and the effects of the poor economy are expected to increase it over the next the few years," she added. Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Missouri and the first African American mayor of Kansas City, said the figures showed grounds for hope that the problem could be tackled effectively by government intervention. |
| "More than five years after worst financial crisis since the the Great Depression, we are finally beginning to see signs of recovery, and the improvements in long-term and veterans' homelessness indicate that we can address this problem," he told reporters at the report's launch event. | "More than five years after worst financial crisis since the the Great Depression, we are finally beginning to see signs of recovery, and the improvements in long-term and veterans' homelessness indicate that we can address this problem," he told reporters at the report's launch event. |
| He also criticised congressional indifference to the problem, citing his experience of growing up in a shack with no water or electricity: "If becoming depressed that I see some homeless person on a freezing cold night means that I am some commie pinko, then that's what I am. | He also criticised congressional indifference to the problem, citing his experience of growing up in a shack with no water or electricity: "If becoming depressed that I see some homeless person on a freezing cold night means that I am some commie pinko, then that's what I am. |
| The event also heard from a former homeless US Coast Guard veteran turned activist called Shelley Gilbert, who spoke of her time sleeping rough in Baltimore after losing her job. | The event also heard from a former homeless US Coast Guard veteran turned activist called Shelley Gilbert, who spoke of her time sleeping rough in Baltimore after losing her job. |
| "I want to break the stereotype that it is only men who become homeless," she said. "It hits everyone and it can happen at any time. It takes away your dignity, and no one should have to live like that. You feel broken inside." | "I want to break the stereotype that it is only men who become homeless," she said. "It hits everyone and it can happen at any time. It takes away your dignity, and no one should have to live like that. You feel broken inside." |
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