Hunger and Homelessness Survey

In a survey of 25 cities, The United States Conference of Mayors reports an average increase in emergency food requests of 7 percent and an overall increase in people experiencing homelessness of 3 percent.  An estimated 47 million Americans live below the US standard for poverty.  Meanwhile, corporate subsidies amount to $90 billion per year while individuals on welfare cost a total of $59 billion per year.

A broken government and lackluster economic recovery probably have a lot to do with increasing hunger and homelessness in the United States.  But worldwide, extreme poverty has been reduced. The proportion of people living on less than $1.25 per day went from 43 percent to 22 percent during the period from 1990 to 2008.  Even a broader definition called the Multidimensional Poverty Index showed improvement in 18 of 22 countries.  Less extreme poverty doesn't necessarily imply a smaller gap between rich and poor.

Of course, the big question for future reductions in poverty will be how governments choose to respond (or not respond) to increasing inequality and climate change.

Update (January 2, 2016):  Even in a recovering economy, the need for help increases.