Hunger and homelessness: America's badge of shame

One of the last things you would expect in a "booming" economy are reports that major cities are suffering from increased numbers of homeless people, and 50 percent of the homeless are Black. But according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, economic boom times haven�t curbed problems of hunger and homelessness.

America�s political leadership, at the federal level, needs to take heed of this report and see it as a call for action. The crisis of hunger and homelessness is a shame and an indictment of this society�especially this time of year, given the popularity of baby Jesus needing a place to stay with no room in the inn story. That biblical picture is not just for yesterday, but is a sign of today, where the most vulnerable are still often left without help or hope.

With their annual survey, released Dec. 14, the mayors group found increased hunger and homelessness in cities like Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, St. Louis as well as Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Charlotte, N.C., and Charleston, S.C.

Officials in 25 cities surveyed found an average increase of 17 percent for requests for emergency food assistance, with some cities seeing even higher increases. New Orleans says requests for food were up 25 percent, compared to last year.

Demand for emergency shelter increased by 15 percent, the survey found. It was the biggest one-year increase in 10 years and requests for shelter for homeless families was up by 17 percent, with two-thirds of cities surveyed seeing increased requests for such shelter.

The cities listed several reasons for the problem of homelessness: a lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, poverty, low paying jobs and welfare reform changes.

Of all the problems, the mayors pointed to a lack of affordable housing as the main cause of homelessness.

Public housing reform has meant tearing down often-dilapidated housing developments, but has not been accompanied by one-for-one replacement housing. Booming times have increased the value of much of this land, often located within a short distance of downtown business districts.

Likewise, the economic boom has increased housing costs, while low wage earners aren�t seeing more money in their pockets.

As the new president and new Congress take office with visions of tax cuts dancing in their heads, they must not turn a blind eye to the needs of the poor and working class across the country and the needs of urban residents.

The Republican Party isn�t known for its kindness to poor people, but scapegoating the poor ala Ronald Reagan isn�t necessary because welfare was gutted by New Democrat Bill Clinton. What remains is an opportunity for both parties to do something to help rescue a country already divided economically and politically.

The greatness of a nation isn�t found in its missile defense systems or state-of-the-art prisons, the greatness of a nation is found in its treatment of those who are most unable to help themselves.

Hopefully President Clinton�s Dec. 15 announcement of passage of a bipartisan New Markets and Community Renewal Partnership signals a move in the right direction. The White House touts the initiative as a mix of tax credits to spur investment in low and moderate income areas; venture capital experts who will help entrepreneurs; business mentors; Small Business Administration loans; more empowerment zones; low income housing tax credits, and other measures.

But the initiative should better lives, not just increase the bank accounts of well-connected individuals, or increase rhetoric from self-serving lawmakers. What people need is help, not more political gameplaying.