Number of Homeless Rising

This is so sad. To think you still hear the 'We're the richest country in the world' line...

The nation's financial crisis has plunged more Americans into a personal financial crisis that sees the number of homeless individuals and families rising nationwide.

In Massassachussets, a surge in homeless families has swamped shelters and caused state officials to house more than 500 families in hotels, versus the 27 it housed in hotels at this time a year ago, according to reports.

The usual culprits of unemployment and a shortage of affordable housing coupled with rising energy and food costs are driving more people into homelessness. But Massachussets officials have also begun tracking how many people are homeless because of foreclosure.

And it isn't just heavily populated states such as Massachussets that are struggling to cope with growing numbers of homeless families.

In Montana, homeless advocates put on a fundraiser this weekend to raise $30,000 to assist homeless families in getting back on their feet. Some 382 homeless children attended school in the Billings school district during the 2007-2008 school year.