Tough economy helps fill homeless shelters

OGDEN (AP) — Advocates for the homeless say a weakening economy is leading to overflowing homeless shelters with families and women either evicted from their homes or fleeing domestic violence.

Davis County's shelter for battered and homeless women says it's becoming difficult to find space for everyone who needs it.

The Road Home shelter in Salt Lake City is putting an average of 15 families on cots in the board room and hallways every night.

It has more than 70 families on its waiting list.

St. Anne's Center in Ogden and the Ogden Rescue Mission say they have similar problems. Staff at the shelters say higher living costs, stalled wages and threats of foreclosure are putting stress on families.