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December 17, 2007 (LPAC)-- A new report released, this morning, by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, found that the major causes of hunger in American cities are poverty, unemployment and high housing costs. "The hunger crisis is exacerbated by the recent spike in foreclosures, the increased cost of living in general and increased cost of food," the report states. Sixteen of the twenty three cities responding to the mayors' survey reported that requests for emergency food assistance increased during the past year while availability of food assistance is declining. Los Angeles, for example, reported that the 500 food pantries served by its Regional Foodbank need an additional 9.8 million pounds of food annually to meet the current needs, and soup kitchens and shelter programs need an extra 1 million pounds. The shortage of available food means that the city is unable to meet 21 percent of the demand for food assistance.

Lack of affordable housing is listed as the primary cause of homelessness among families and ten cities in the mayors' survey responded specifically citing an increase in homelessness among families with children compared to 2006, with Detroit, St. Paul and Boston reporting increases of 15 percent, 14 percent and 13 percent respectively. Twelve of the twenty-three cities reported having to turn people away because of lack of resources and fifteen of the cities predict that requests for emergency shelter will increase in 2008, while all cities expect increases in requests from families with children, and cite the foreclosure crisis as well as other economic factors as the reasons.