Economic chaos creates surge in homelessness

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CNN.com

The number of homeless families in Massachusetts has surged -- a spike that has overwhelmed the state's shelter capacity and forced it to again place homeless families in motels.
The number of homeless families living in Massachusetts motels skyrocketed in September 2008.
The number of homeless families living in Massachusetts motels skyrocketed in September 2008.
Driving the increase is the sour economy, rising energy costs, escalating unemployment and shortage of affordable housing. For the first time, the state is tracking how many families are winding up homeless due to foreclosures.
"You're seeing a perfect storm," said Robyn Frost, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.
The upswing is also putting pressure on a landmark initiative by Gov. Deval Patrick to virtually end homelessness in Massachusetts in the next five years.
In just the past 12 months, the number of homeless families living in Massachusetts motels has skyrocketed from 17 in September 2007 to 550 in September 2008. That's on top of another 1,800 or so families in shelters.
The Department of Transitional Assistance first began placing families in motels in 1999 when its shelters reached capacity. Over the next five years, the state used 97 motels around the state to house families.

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