The following developments and reports provide further information about the impact of societal distress in the United States. Please visit the main pages of this website for core data, which document the prevalence of specific indicators and have undergone more extensive analysis by the VCU Center on Human Needs. The core data are based on surveys conducted in previous years and do not reflect changes that have occurred during the current economic recession. The following postings provide more recent data about “proxies” for societal distress, such as utilization of food stamps and unemployment rates, which capture current trends. These data have not undergone extensive analysis by the VCU Center on Human Needs but are provided as a resource for users.
New Survey Results on Hunger in the U.S. (Food Research and Action Center, January 26, 2010)
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has released a report, with data collected by Gallup on Hunger in America. Data on hunger were gathered from more than 530,000 households, providing estimates on hunger in every Congressional District and 100 of the country's largest metropolitan areas through December 2009.
Categories: Food Security
The Number of People Living on Food Stamps with No Other Income Has Increased Dramatically (New York Times, January 2, 2010)
About six million Americans receiving Food Stamps (SNAP) report no other income, an increase of about 50% over the past two years.
Categories: Food Security, Income
As SNAP Usage Soars Across The US, Many Become First-Time Recipients (New York Times, November 29, 2009)
A new analysis of county-level SNAP (Food Stamps) usage across the country shows widespread change. With more than 36 million recipients, the program is expanding at a rate of about 20,000 people per day.
Categories: Food Security
Interactive Map of SNAP Usage by County (New York Times, November 29, 2009)
The SNAP program (Food Stamps) now helps feed 1 in 8 Americans and 1 in 4 children across the United States. Nonetheless, there are wide disparities across states in the percentage of eligible people receiving aid.
Categories: Food Security
Foreclosure Activity Increased 5% in the 3rd quarter of 2009 (RealtyTrac, October 15, 2009)
Foreclosure filings in the 3rd quarter of 2009 were up 5% from the previous quarter, and 23 from the 3rd quarter in 2008. One in every 136 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing during the quarter.
Categories: Housing
A Closer Look at Homelessness by Geography (National Alliance to End Homelessness, September 29, 2009)
An analysis of Continuum of Care homelessness data by the National Alliance to End Homelessness looks at the geographical distribution of homeless families, non-chronically homeless individuals, and chronically homeless individuals, and their status as sheltered or unsheltered.
Categories: Housing
Food Insecurity in Households with Children (USDA, September 21, 2009)
A new report by the USDA Economic Research Service highlights the prevalence of food insecurity in households with children and the characteristics food insecure households.
Categories: Food Security
Poverty Rate Increased in 2008 as Median Income Declined (U.S. Census Bureau, September, 2009)
A newly released report from the Census Bureau presents data collected in 2009 related to income, poverty and health insurance coverage. The findings reflect the impact of the current recession on American households in 2008.
Categories: Income
Surge in Homeless Pupils Strains Schools (New York Times, September 5, 2009)
Large increases in the number of homeless students has led school districts to make extraordinary efforts to keep kids in school, from providing special transportation to helping families locate temporary shelters.
Categories: Education, Housing
The Number of People Receiving Food Assistance Continues to Rise (USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, September 4, 2009)
The monthly number of people receiving SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) has risen in almost every month since February 2007, from 26.2 million to 35.1 million in June 2009. The number of households receiving SNAP has increased from 11.6...
Categories: Food Security
Disparities in Rural Health are Increasing (USDA Economic Research Service, August 17, 2009)
Research from the USDA Economic Research Service finds that the gap in mortality, disability, and chronic disease between metro and non-metro areas has increased since 1989.
Categories: Health
Another Measure of Food Insecurity Among Children (Children's HealthWatch, August 2009)
Data collected in the Children's HealthWatch sample shows an increase in food insecurity among families with young children from 18.5% in 2007 to 22.6% in 2008. They also find that children who are food insecure are 30% more likely to be hospitalized, 90% more likely to be in fair or poor health, and nearly twice as likely to have iron deficiency anemia.
Categories: Food Security
The New Face of Homelessness (Washington Post, August 15, 2009)
An article in the Washington Post highlights the increase in homelessness as a result of the economic downturn, which has left homeless many families and individuals who previously had steady jobs and housing. Women now make up 81% of adults...
Categories: Housing, MI
A Study Funded by the USDA Finds That the School Breakfast Program is Utilized by the Most Vulnerable Children (USDA, July 2009)
Children utilizing the School Breakfast Program tend to be among the most vulnerable, yet some 38% of food insecure children do not participate. The program appears to enhance food security among families at the margin and increases the probability that low-income children will eat breakfast.
Categories: Food Security
The Number of Homeless Families Increased 9% in Urban Areas and 56% in Rural and Suburban Areas Between 2007 and 2008 (Washingon Post, July 12, 2009)
The total number of homeless individuals remained relatively stable during this time period, but homelessness increased among families. HUD administration officials point to the current economic crisis as the cause of the rise in homelessness among families.
Categories: Housing