The Nation - News from July 25, 1988

Welfare grants to poor mothers and their children are “grossly inadequate” and are driving an increasing number of families into homelessness, the National Coalition for the Homeless said in New York. The advocacy group, in its report entitled “Over the Edge,” said that families compose 30% of the estimated 3 million Americans who are homeless. The study criticized cuts in programs intended to ease the growing numbers of homeless as well as those living in poverty. It cited housing grants under the Aid to Families With Dependent Children, which now cover less than 50% of federally defined “fair market rent” in all but seven states. In more than 60% of the cities surveyed, inadequate welfare benefits contributed to homelessness, the survey said.