Broadcast Schedule

In most cases homelessness is a temporary circumstance, not a permanent condition. In addition, many studies count only the number of those staying in shelters or using soup kitchens. This leaves some people uncounted - such as those temporarily sharing space with friends and relatives or living in cars or other makeshift housing. Nevertheless, one generally accepted estimate is that 700,000 men, women and children in the United States are homeless on any given night, with up to two million homeless during one year. An estimated seven million people experienced homelessness in the 1980s according to "Priority Home! The Federal Plan to Break the Cycle of Homelessness" issued by the federal government. The figures above illustrate that a wide spectrum of Americans are at risk of homelessness, especially those without savings or adequate health insurance. One missed paycheck, a health crisis, or another short-term emergency can push poor families over the edge. This is even truer for low-wage families who are paying a disproportionate amount of their total income for housing. A recent Housing and Urban Development (HUD) study found that 5.3 million unassisted, very low-income households were paying more than 50% of their income for rent, while HUD estimates that this figure should be no more than 30%. Such families are especially vulnerable to eviction and homelessness in the event of a financial setback. Opinion polls show that the majority of Americans support public policies to end homelessness. According to experts in the field accomplishing this goal requires addressing three fundamental issues. Lack of Affordable Housing Today, fewer than 30% of those eligible actually receive low-income housing. The private stock of extremely low-rent units fell by 478,000 units between 1985 and 1993, and federal housing programs have been slashed by over 75%. Lagging Incomes Incomes for the poorest Americans have not kept pace with rising housing costs. As a result, millions of workers are shut out of the private housing market. Cuts in Social Services and Government Assistance While earned income for the poor was decreasing, assistance programs were severely cut, most significantly in 1996, when Congress enacted comprehensive welfare reform. Sources National Law Center On Homelessness and Poverty National Coalition for the Homeless Fact sheet #2, February 1999 Home | The Story | Poverty in America | The Filmmakers | Talkback | Resources | ITVS