To assess the status of hunger and homelessness in urban America during 1991, The U.S. Conference of Mayors surveyed 28 major cities whose mayors are members of its Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness. The survey sought information and estimates from each city on: (1) the demand for emergency food assistance and emergency shelter and the capacity of local agencies to meet that demand; (2) the causes of hunger and homelessness and the demographics of the populations experiencing these problems; (3) public attitudes toward homeless people; (4) the impact of state budget cuts and the recession on huger and homelessness; and (5) the outlook for 1992. City officials estimated that during the past year, requests for emergency food assistance increased by an average of 26 percent, with an average 17 percent of requests going unmet. Homelessness has also increased and all cities report that the recession has affected, and will continue to affect, hunger and homelessness. Employment-related problems led the list of causes of hunger. Recommendations to alleviate these problems center around increases and improvements to Federal programs, including full funding of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, a major source of funds for hunger and homelessness projects. Two tables and three figures illustrate the discussion. An appendix contains five supplemental tables and the survey questionnaire. (SLD)