Homelessness growing problem: report

A new report says more Prince Edward Islanders don't have a place to live, and more are going hungry.

The annual report card from the P.E.I. Advisory Committee on Homelessness shows in 2010 more than 3,000 Islanders turned to food banks in the province for help, a 14 per cent increase over 2009. It also shows 276 Islanders spent multiple nights at a shelter, up 34 people from the year before.

Advisory committee member Frank Costa told CBC News Monday even with more affordable housing units and a proposed increase in the minimum wage, a permanent home could remain out of reach for some.

"There is homelessness here. It may not be the numbers that you see in large urban centres, but it's the same common circumstances.

"People who are struggling. They're working, but they're not earning a sufficient livable income."

The province says it does have some solutions on the way, but refuses to say what they are.