Feedback at 5:00- Homelessness - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Feedback at 5:00- Homelessness

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A new report shows that despite increased efforts both nationally and locally, the homeless rate remains mostly unchanged over the last year because of the struggling economy.

There has been a large increase in the number of beds available to the homeless across the country, now about 400,000. It's believed there are more than 600,000 people considered homeless in the United States.

The Housing and Urban Development department is spending about $1.9 billion a year to house the homeless. HUD says most people are only homeless for a few days or weeks at a time before finding something permanent.

The homeless tend to have other problems, including increased medical costs and difficulty holding a job. Many in public policy view ending homelessness as humane and a smart investment to help people contribute to society.

For tonight's "Feedback at 5:00," what do you think as a society, we can do to help stop homelessness?