BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China released the human rights record of the United States on Thursday which pointed out that hungry and homeless people had increased significantly in U.S. cities.

    The report quoted figures released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last November that at least 35.5 million people in the United States, including 12.63 million children, went hungry in 2006, an increase of 390,000 from 2005.

    The report was released by the Information Office of China's State Council, or cabinet, which has been prepared to help people around the world understand the real situation of human rights in the United States.

    Results of the 2007 Hunger and Homelessness Survey released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors showed that 16 of the 23 polled cities reported increased requests for emergency food assistance, the report said.

    Among 15 cities that provided data, the average increase was 12 percent. In 13 surveyed cities, 15 percent of households with children were not receiving emergency food assistance they requested. In 20 surveyed cities, 193,183 people applied for emergency shelter or transitional housing, it said.

    The number of residents applying for government rent subsidies surged by 30 percent in Baltimore County in 2007, the report quoted a news coverage by the Baltimore Sun last December.

    It is estimated that 750,000 people are homeless on any given day in the United States, another proof found in a news story by the Washington Post.

    The report exposed the human rights situation in the United States with more evidences chosen from news coverage by newspapers:

    Los Angeles County has more than 73,000 homeless people. Phoenix has 7,000 to 10,000 homeless people and another 3,000 who were not sheltered by the government. New Orleans has 12,000 homeless people. California has about 50,000 veterans living in streets.

    The report also worried about the health conditions of the homeless in the United States.

    Research shows one-third to half of the homeless have a chronic illness. The life expectancy for a homeless person ranges between 42 and 52 years, the report quoted the Washington Post as saying.

    Among sexual offenders in many U.S. cities, the homeless account for a high proportion. In Boston, nearly two-thirds of 136high-risk sex offenders lack permanent addresses. In New York City, more than 100 sex offenders are registered at two homeless shelters, the report added.

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