An annual survey of municipal officials in 29 large U.S. cities found unemployment at the top of the list of homelessness causes, according to a recent report from the The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness. Respondents were asked to provide information on emergency food assistance and homeless services provided between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011.
Unemployment led the list of causes of homeless families, followed by a lack of affordable housing and poverty. Unemployment also led the list of causes of homelessness among individuals, followed by a lack of affordable housing, mental illness and lack of needed services, and substance abuse and lack of needed services.