Unfortunately, our nation's unprecedented prosperity is not reaching a lot of our own. Driving the increased food problems are low-paying jobs, unemployment, high housing costs, poverty, substance abuse and changes in the food stamps program. Some city officials have told us that a booming economy can drive up housing costs and reduce supply. This may explain why requests for emergency shelter increased by 12 percent in 1999, the largest increase since 1994. Sixty-nine percent of the cities slightly less than last year's finding reported that demand had increased.
Causes of homelessness are diverse and complex .
Affordable housing leads the list as a main cause of homelessness, followed by substance abuse, low-paying jobs, domestic violence, mental illness, poverty, and changes and cuts in public assistance. The composition of the homeless population has changed little in recent years, with single men, at 43 percent, continues as the largest group seeking help, and families with children, at 37 percent, continuing to represent a significant portion of the population. We estimate that substance abusers constitute 31 percent. No cities expect demand for food or shelter to be lower. Agriculture Secretary Glickman during his remarks announced a partnership between his department and the Conference of Mayors to ensure that more of the nation's 36 million Americans who are hungry or on the brink of hunger can access food stamps.