Economic crisis increasing homelessness

WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- Homelessness levels are rising throughout the United States as a result of the economic crisis and only stable housing will help stem the tide, experts say.

Experts said the best way to reduce homelessness nationwide is assistance for displaced individuals to help them find a permanent home that will give them a new lease on life, Stateline.org said Wednesday.

"You need a lot of cash to help these families pay for housing because they're so poor and rents are still very high and many need a year or more to find jobs," Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Director Robyn Frost said.

The National Coalition for the Homeless told Stateline.org the government stimulus package due from U.S. President Barack Obama's administration is instead focused on preventing homelessness.

"The emphasis is on prevention, because helping people facing eviction or foreclosure stay in their homes and keeping kids in the schools they're enrolled in will save states money on healthcare and corrections in the long run," coalition Director Michael Stoops said.

Stateline.org said some officials said the $1.5 billion in stimulus funds tabbed to fight homelessness is insufficient to help the millions of families currently in need of stable homes.