Tom Joseph
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Fewer Pennsylvania families and veterans found themselves homeless in the past two years - a positive sign during rough economic times. But a new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness says that scenario is bittersweet.
Steve Berg, Alliance vice president for programs and policy, says at least some credit for those improving numbers goes to $1.5 billion in stimulus money for homelessness prevention and re-housing during the recession.
"All those underlying economic problems are still very bad, and the money that was part of the stimulus bill is running out in many communities, so we're still very concerned that the good news is not going to last."
Berg says one area where Pennsylvania saw a sizable increase was in the number of people "doubled up" - generally, low-income individuals living with someone else because they can't afford a place of their own.
Steve Berg, Alliance vice president for programs and policy, says at least some credit for those improving numbers goes to $1.5 billion in stimulus money for homelessness prevention and re-housing during the recession.
"All those underlying economic problems are still very bad, and the money that was part of the stimulus bill is running out in many communities, so we're still very concerned that the good news is not going to last."
Berg says one area where Pennsylvania saw a sizable increase was in the number of people "doubled up" - generally, low-income individuals living with someone else because they can't afford a place of their own.
"It went up 17 percent to over 200,000 people, just in this state. It doesn't take much for conflict to arise and the people are asked to leave, and the next thing you know, they're at a shelter or living in their cars."
Berg says maintaining some of the improvements Pennsylvania has seen on homelessness comes down to making a financial commitment to the programs that stimulus money kick-started.
"These programs actually save money by keeping people out of shelters, by keeping people out of emergency rooms of hospitals, by keeping people out of jail. It's a good investment - people just have to think to do it."
The Alliance report estimates that the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg metros alone have approximately 15,000 people with no place to call home.
The full report is available at www.endhomelessness.org.
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