Homelessness, hunger up in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. - According to a report, released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), U.S. cities have seen a sharp increase in the demand for hunger assistance since 1991, an increase in family homelessness and a decrease or leveling in individual homelessness. Twenty-seven cities were represented in the report presented at a press conference at USCM headquarters in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.

The City of Norfolk was the only city in Hampton Roads represented in the survey. City officials surveyed say the city has seen more and more people seeking food assistance over the past year due to layoffs and a decrease in employment and the city's homelessness rate is up 15 percent.

According to the report, the total number of requests for emergency food assistance has risen by 32 percent over the past year.

As a way to combat the growing number of hungry in the city of Norfolk, city officials noted that they need employment training programs, utility assistance programs and an increase in food stamp assistance.

The closure of the Ford manufacturing plant in 2007 left 2,000 people without jobs in the city of Norfolk, negatively impacting an already declining economy.

Over the past year, as noted earlier, Norfolk has reported a 15 percent increase in the total number of people experiencing homelessness.

The report says individual homelessness was up 18 percent and family homelessness rose seven percent.

City shelter providers have attempted to combat the growing number of homeless by allowing clients to sleep on overflow cots, chairs, and in hallways at local shelters.

City officials also said in the report that they've observed homeless people in neighborhoods where they have not typically been seen.

Norfolk officials plan to use the city’s $2 million dollars in Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) funding to develop efficient strategies to help persons obtain and maintain housing, the report said.

Sadly, the city of Norfolk is not alone. See how other cities fared in the report --   View the full report released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors by CLICKING HERE.

Also, see Andy Fox's 6 p.m. report on Norfolk's homeless to the left of this story.