Helping the Homeless

Will cuts in welfare spending cause hardships?

Introduction

Fifteen years after homelessness emerged as a national issue, experts still disagree on how many people are homeless, what causes homelessness and whether other Americans are losing sympathy for the homeless because of “compassion fatigue.” Local ordinances targeting the homeless suggest that sympathy is indeed declining. At the same time, opinion polls show strong support for publicly funded programs to help homeless people get back on their feet. The Republican-controlled Congress, meanwhile, seems intent on overhauling the nation's welfare system in ways that could add to the woes of the homeless. Some welfare-reform advocates argue that private caregivers could make up for reduced public aid. But churches and charities say their resources already are stretched to the limit.

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