PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Homelessness is on the rise in Philadelphia and across the country.

A new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness says the homeless population has grown in 31 of 50 states and at a fairly brisk pace.

Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder of Philadelphia’s Project Home, says locally and nationally, the poor economy has contributed to a sharp rise in joblessness. And, while many people, especially families were able to cope with help, now they’re starting to fall through the cracks.

“We’re seeing the fallout from the people that were on the margins,” she said. “They were doubled-up or in other precarious situations and then, over time, more people are experiencing homelessness.”

Sister Scullion says pushing up the homeless population are some of the people getting out of prison who are trying to re-integrate into society, and a number of young people who are aging out of the foster care system and forced to fend for themselves.

Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio