Homelessness up as families on the edge lose hold

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-05-homeless_N.htm

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.

Read more...

Obama's aunt fights deportation from U.S.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1503959,w-obama-immigration-aunt-033109.article


The public housing complex in South Boston where President Obama's aunt reportedly lives.

BOSTON---- Barack Obama's Kenyan aunt lost her bid for asylum more than four years ago, and a judge ordered her deported. Instead, Zeituni Onyango stayed, living for years in public housing.

Now, in a case that puts the president in a tough position both personally and politically, Onyango's request is being reconsidered under a little-used provision in U.S. immigration rules that allows denied asylum claims to be reheard if applicants can show that something has changed to make them eligible.

Such as the ascension of her nephew to the presidency of the world's most powerful country.

"If she goes back to Kenya, she is going to be much more in the limelight, and that, in and of itself, could put her at a greater risk. The chances of her going back and keeping a low profile are gone at this point," said Boston immigration attorney Ilana Greenstein.

Onyango, 56, the half-sister of Obama's late father, moved to the United States in 2000. Her first bid for asylum was rejected, and an immigration judge ordered her deported in 2004; she continues to live in public housing in Boston.

Read more...