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and God replied, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers you did it to me* (Matthew 25:35)

Seven out of 10 Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless. "There is much suffering in the world - physical, material, mental. The suffering of some can be blamed on the greed of others. The material and physical suffering is suffering from hunger, from homelessness, from all kinds of diseases. But the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience." -- Mother Teresa The average family earning minimum wage spends 141 percent of their income struggling to meet basic needs - food, shelter, clothing.

EVEN IN THE FACE OF 1990s ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, homeless statistics show the number of homeless has remained stubbornly high. Between five and six hundred thousand people are considered "homeless" at any given time - without a permanent, safe, decent, affordable place to live.Homelessness in America persists in part because many urban areas remain economically depressed, housing costs have risen rapidly in the past decade, and wages for lower skilled workers have remained stable

On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless

According to a December, 2000 report of the US Conference of Mayors:

single men comprise 44 percent of the homeless, single women 13 percent, families with children 36 percent, and unaccompanied minors seven percent. the homeless population is about 50 percent African-American, 35 percent white, 12 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Native American and 1 percent Asian.

According to the 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC):

single homeless individuals in 1996 reported an average income of $348 during the last 30 days, about 51 percent of the 1996 federal poverty level of $680/month for one person. 28 percent said they sometimes or often do not get enough to eat, compared with 12 percent of poor American adults. 44 percent did paid work during the past month. 21 percent received income from family members or friends. 66 percent of the homeless have problems with alcohol, drug abuse, or mental illness. 22 percent have been physically assaulted. 7 percent have been sexually assaulted. 38 percent say someone stole money or things directly from them. 30 percent have been homeless for more than two years.

Five myths about America's homeless

1. Homelessness is usually a long-term condition. 2. Most of the homeless have a severe mental illness. 3. Homeless people don't work. 4. Shelters are a humane solution to homelessness.

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/526/homeless-facts.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVtZBaA8msn