In 1988 officials in 27 major cities were surveyed on the following topics: (1) ability to meet demand for emergency food assistance and shelter; (2) causes and demographics of hunger and homelessness; (3) status of low-income housing; and (4) outlook for 1989. Summary findings included the following: (1) demand for emergency food assistance increased by 19 percent, emergency shelter by 13 percent, and low-income housing by 43 percent; (2) 15 percent of the demand for emergency food assistance, and 19 percent of the demand for emergency shelter went unmet; (3) demand for emergency food assistance and emergency shelter in 1989 is expected to rise in 23 cities, and demand for low-income housing is expected to rise in all; (4) the main cause of homelessness was lack of affordable low-income housing; and (5) 75 percent of the homeless population were children. None of the cities expected to be able to meet future demand for low-income housing because of the decline in federal funds. Comments from respondents and three tables of statistical data are included. The cities surveyed were Boston (Massachusetts), Charleston (South Carolina), Chicago (Illinois), Cleveland (Ohio), Los Angeles (California), Louisville (Kentucky), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Nashville (Tennessee), New Orleans (Louisiana), New York City (New York), Norfolk (Virginia), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Phoenix (Arizona), Portland (Oregon), Providence (Rhode Island), Saint Paul (Minnesota), Salt Lake City (Utah), San Antonio (Texas), San Diego (California), San Francisco (California), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Seattle (Washington), and Trenton (New Jersey). The appendices comprise a table of demographic data and a copy of the survey questionnaire. (FMW)