Homelessness is on the rise
As unemployment hits a twenty-six year high, the demand for services is rising across the state. The number of homeless are increasing and will continue to increase as the economy continues to deteriorate.
Two recent articles underscore this dilemma.
On July 5, 2009, the Star-Ledger published Somerset and Hunterdon Counties see rise in demand for public assistance.
The article stated: Statistics provided by Hunterdon and Somerset counties show since 2006, social service cases have increased between 30 and 60 percent — depending on the type of service — in the state’s two wealthiest counties. But as county budgets shrink, social service departments are struggling to meet the growing demand.
Between 2006 and 2008, Somerset saw a 47 percent increase in applicants for long-term assistance such as medical coverage and food stamps. For residents seeking temporary assistance — such as getting electricity turned back on or making a mortgage payment — requests have increased by nearly 150 percent, according to county statistics.
Social service officials in both counties said while certain categories of need — like home care and adult protective services — remain stable, increases in other categories show the immediate effects of a severe recession.
To read the full article click here.
The New York Times on July 7, 2009, published Summer Brings a Wave of Homeless Families.
The article stated: Many New Yorkers view summer as a time for vacations, camp and lazy days at the beach. But city officials have been preparing for quite a different summer ritual: the swelling of the population of homeless families.
They call it the summer surge, and say that this year could be the worst yet.
To read the full article click here.
