Homelessness on Decline in Providence

12/28/2015 – Providence Business News:   Providence was one of 22 cities that participated in the 33rd annual assessment of hunger and homelessness recently conducted by The U.S. Conference of Mayors. And while homelessness was on the decline in Rhode Island’s capital city over the year, the main causes behind homelessness for both families with children and individuals were a lack of affordable housing, unemployment and poverty. The report said that the number of homeless families decreased 15 percent and the number of homeless individuals declined 5 percent over the past year. “This report reflects what we already know to be true. Cities and their partnering agencies, along with local charities and volunteers, have worked extraordinarily well together to respond to the needs of those who are hungry and homeless. Yet, despite their efforts, these challenges persist in an economy that, while on the mend, is still lagging,” Santa Barbara, Calif., Mayor Helene Schneider, co-chair of the Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness, said in a statement. “We want to underscore that even with exemplary local programs in place to help those in need, the effects of hunger and homelessness are still felt by many families across the nation. Our federal policies must respond to the growing pressure that the national economy has placed on many localities.”  More