JNN 20 Jan 2011 : The recession continues to take its toll on Americans, making more people homeless across the United States, a recent report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness says.

The report released on Monday indicates that the overall US homeless population grew by 3 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. Family homelessness, meanwhile, rose by 4 percent from 2008 to 2009.

The study names unemployment, foreclosures, lack of income and high housing costs as the reason behind the sharp increase.

The findings also indicate that the US states of California, Florida and Nevada are at the highest risk of increased homelessness in the future.

This comes against the backdrop of a housing crisis that is weighing down on the world’s number one economy.

Meanwhile, figures show that poverty is also on the increase in America, specifically in rural areas across the country.

According to a January 2010 report by the Census Bureau, 47.8 million Americans live in poverty — that is the highest number since 50 years ago.

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