Economy driving more people to homeless shelters

The Valley's homeless population is growing, another casualty of the economic meltdown.

Mark Halloran of Central Arizona Shelter Services said the population at the shelter in downtown Phoenix has jumped from 550 a night to more than 1,000 over the last three years.

"Our numbers have grown probably 10 percent the last year alone," Halloran said, "and we think, absolutely, it's economy driven."

About 80 percent of those seeking services are single adults, many of whom have addiction and correction issues, said Halloran, adding that the big problem is finding low-income housing for them in the long run.

"The real problem I have right now is not serving people when they come in, but figuring out where they are going to go, because my job is to move them through the shelter system as soon as possible."

Halloran said he has to turn away homeless families every day because there's just no room.