Economy ups local public housing requests

Georgia's poorest families, hit hard by a slowing economy and shrinking job market, are turning in growing numbers to long waiting lists for public housing and putting new burdens on shelters around the state. From Athens to Albany and beyond, public housing directors say their waiting lists are swelling as jobless households search out alternatives to rent they can no longer afford. Shelters, meanwhile, say they're seeing more families turn up and staying for more than twice the normal period because of a dearth of affordable housing. Macon Housing Authority recently closed the waiting list for one of its 2,216 public housing units. Vacancies in the Albany Housing Authority's 1,085 public housing units have dipped from past highs around 5 percent. And in metro Augusta, while families aren't pouring into public housing, officials say they also aren't leaving. Macon housing director John Hiscox says people are having a hard time finding jobs and it's impacting their housing situations.

(Associated Press)