NEW YORK - April 6, 2009 - Cities and counties are reporting a sharp increase in homeless families as the economic crisis leads to job loss and makes housing unaffordable.

In Seattle, 40% more people are living on suburban streets. In Miami, calls from people with eviction notices have quadrupled.

"The demand from families with children has increased dramatically," says Robert Hess of New York City's Department of Homeless Services. Each month since September, shelter requests have been at least 20% higher than they were a year ago.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a one-day count in January of people living on the street, in shelters or in transitional housing. National figures have not been compiled.

Of 56 places where figures were available, 35 reported an increase in homelessness; 12 had a drop.

"People who were on the edge can't hold on anymore," says Cathy ten Broeke, homelessness project coordinator in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. She says 1,251 families sought emergency shelter last year, up from 1,032 in 2007.

Several of the largest cities, including New York and Miami, say their increased efforts to find apartments or shelter beds have meant fewer people living on the street or in their cars.

Hess expects more people to need help this year and looks forward to a sharp increase in federal funding: $1.5 billion this summer is intended to help struggling people pay their rent, utilities or security deposits so they don't end up homeless.