Number of Homeless Families on the Rise

(CBS)  There are signs the economy is turning around, but not fast enough for the many Americans left homeless by the recession and the foreclosure crisis.

The government says that the number of homeless nationwide is holding steady at more than 1.5 million. But that number now includes more people who are part of homeless families - 44,000 more.

CBS News correspondent Seth Doane has the story of where one desperate family ended up.

Julie Barnes gets dressed each day in the same uniform for the same steady job at FedEx she's held for three years. What's different is what she notices on her way to work.

"You see homeless people out on the street, but it didn't connect in here," she said, putting her hand on her heart.

It connects now, because when her ex-husband lost his job Julie and her three kids lost their house - with weeks of school still to go.

"I wanted them to stay and finish the year," she said. So they ended up living in the car. The trunk became their closet.

The family kept its secret, even driving to the same bus stop each morning, but 17-year-old Miya's falling grades were starting to give them away.

"It's hard to focus on school and homework projects and everything when you don't even have a house to do homework in," Miya Barnes said.

They held on through the end of the school year, then became part of what's called a "summer surge" of homelessness.

"We were just crumbling and I had to do something and I just didn't know what to do or where to go," Julie Barnes said.

In Toledo - where Julie lives - with its 14 percent unemployment rate they've seen a 25 percent increase in requests for emergency shelter over the last year. Requests for housing at one family shelter are at an all-time high.

Tammy Holder runs the shelter - and has run out of room.

"Just today - I believe it's almost 4-o'clock - and we've already turned away almost 25 households," she said.

There was room for the Barnes' - a single room.

Still, it's called "the beach house family shelter" and it looks and sounds more like a bed and breakfast than a homeless shelter. The idea is to offer comfort to those with little left.

"I was so ashamed that I ended up there," Barnes said. "I felt so bad for my kids."

But getting into the shelter got the Barnes family into the system and in touch with resources that helped get them back out.

"I think it's important to share my story to give someone else hope - the hope that's been given to me," Barnes said.

Hope, and just last week the news they've been waiting for - a new home. A local non-profit group is subsidizing one for two years. For Julie Barnes, it's a new start.

But now it's the beach house shelter itself that needs a helping hand. With donations down, they're running out of funds and may have to close their own doors soon.

[John_Merritt]

What I believe would be a great idea is if Congress would pass a bill that would allow a deduction for any family to take in another family, until they can get back on their feet. Or maybe stipends or food stamps, etc. for the 'samaritan' family.

It can't be any worse, and actually would be better for many, if something like this could be adopted. It could possibly assist two different families and allow some stability and acceptance for the children involved. That is what I call a teachable moment. What do you all think?

[John_Merritt]

The reason I suggest this is the psychological impact of anyone who has been displaced in life cannot always be quantified, especially in children. Parents have better coping skills but children are very resilient if they have been provided the proper stimuli.

In Florida with all the foreclosures it is not uncommon to see families of 4-6 living out of one motel room. If they were given an option to move in with a family member somewhere within the U.S. and the donor family was given impetus to take in their family or friends, it would create boundless opportunities as well as stability.

With school starting fairly soon, the children need to be around a stable environment to better assimilate positive things in the short term. It also provides them an environment where they could possibly be surrounded with love and understanding from an extended family.

Of course we do see these type of arrangements already, but if we had a more wholesome and wide scale approach to 'family' involvement, the psychological impact can be a positive experience. Many people, especially men, are too proud to ask for help and they will try to shoulder the burden of responsibility themselves.

By allowing them an avenue of 'escape' it provides everyone with a morale booster that is better for the long term. Children are resilient but with rather limited ability to problem solve to the extent adults do. They need lessons of 'value' to be taught at each avenue of their life. This is something they will carry with them for the remainder of the life, and if we can create a positive out of an negative, we have a win situation.

[ianlou]

What did I here about loosing the home with an ex-husband?
Same old story, when money problems come in the front door, love goes out the back.

The truth is, they would have been better off working together to survive their tough times.

[gunz911]

I think CBS has forgotten their duty to Obama and the democrats of suppressing negative news, They could at least prefaced by saying BUSH was really resposible, youboys are not going to get the plum spots theinformation ministry.

[tautomer]

Obamanomics at work!!!! It only gets worse from here.

[brooke50]

This was a story about only one family - all it takes is ONE thing to go wrong, be it a major health issue, working accident, or unemployment - these type stories will be increasing -

And yet, Obama proclaims the recession (sorry worst recession since the Great Depression) (sorry, again, Bush handed over the worst recession since the Great Depression and said fix it -) is almost over! Wow, I want a pair of whatever "rose colored" glasses he is wearing!

The recession is far from over - and yes, it wil have its ups and downs well into 2011 or possible 2012 -

[Benton09]

Eli Manning just signed a $97 million contract with the Giants to throw a football. America....great for a few.

[wyodutch]

Come on... These homeless people could join the military.

[kathryn1936]

I believe the segment about a homeless family was cut due to time constrictions. It made the story incomplete. When this happens you should advise viewers they can get the whole story online.