Obama Discusses Homelessness During His Second Prime-time Press Conference

I was very excited Tuesday night when President Obama was asked a question about homelessness during his second prime-time press conference. Earlier this month the National Center on Family Homelessness (http://www.familyhomelessness.org/), located in Newton, MA, released a report that found 1 in 50 U.S. children experience homelessness at some point. This report also ranked Massachusetts as 8th best in its response to child homelessness. The reporter asked the President what he would say to those homeless families, and especially the children who are facing uncertain times.

President Obama ackowledged the value of the work that is happening now, and all that still needs to be done. He said that he expected a shift in thinking so that everyone in Washington and beyond would agree that "it is not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours."

Check out the video clip on necn.com.

There clearly is a lot more work that needs to be done, as we see the numbers of homeless families continuing to grow as the economy has worsened. However, we have proven solutions in our arsenal, and it's now a matter of public and political will to put the necessary resources behind ending homelessness for good. Each night when we turn on the tv and check out what's happened on Wall St. remember that if we don't act now on behalf of these families, when will we? If we can't see the urgency now, will we ever?