Cities and counties are reporting a sharp increase in homeless families as the economic crisis leads to job loss and makes housing unaffordable.
In Seattle, 40% more people are living on suburban streets. In Miami, calls from people with eviction notices have quadrupled.
"The demand from families with children has increased dramatically," says Robert Hess of New York City's Department of Homeless Services. Each month since September, shelter requests have been at least 20% higher than they were a year ago.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a one-day count in January of people living on the street, in shelters or in transitional housing. National figures have not been compiled.
Of 56 places where figures were available, 35 reported an increase in homelessness; 12 had a drop.
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