Number of homeless in Phillly increases

The number of homeless on city streets is up, but Philadelphia’s mayor says the numbers are lower than expected given the condition of the economy.

The number of homeless on city streets is up, but Philadelphia’s mayor says the numbers are lower than expected given the condition of the economy.

The number of people sleeping on the streets of Philadelphia is up by about 50 from a year ago.  Mayor Michael Nutter says the city is trying to get those people under roofs.

Nutter: Given the state of the economy and the hundreds of thousands of people who are losing their jobs and falling on hard times, this situation could have been a lot worse.

Working with the Housing Authority and other social service groups, about 700 formerly homeless people have been moved into transitional and permanent housing over the past year.  Paul Wilkins was one of them.

“They want to help you they want you to come into treatment.  And listen, the promise is true, I have my keys.”

Mayor Nutter says he’s committed to transitioning another 500 people into housing over the next year.