Advocates Worry Budget Cuts Add To Homeless Risk

The slumping economy has advocates for the homeless concerned the problem may intensity, and put a further strain on the state budget.

Linda Wood-Boyle, executive director of the nonprofit Homestart, says demand for her services are on the rise.

"Before in our prevention program we would see 1,500 to maybe 2,000 calls a year," she said. "That's up — over 3,000 at this point in calendar 2011."

Wood-Boyle says it costs the state $30,000 to keep a homeless family in a temporary shelter, but only $1,200 if that family is placed in permanent housing.

"So it just makes economic sense, nevermind sort of the moral imperative around keeping a family housed, the kids in their schools, with their neighborhoods and their friends," Wood-Boyle said.

Homestart helps homeless individuals and families find permanent housing and provides support services to help keep them there.