"We're both laid off - no funds. Just trying to make it and make my family comfortable some kind of way,"

UPDATE 6:10AM: Channel 5 is reporting a flood of phone calls and donations to assist Jodie (Jerod from the story I posted last night) and his family! it would appear that for the time being, Jodie and his family are going to have a roof over their heads. Now if we can just get Jodie back to some fulltime work, he should be just fine. By the way, he's a pretty skilled carpenter, so if anyone needs some help, I'm sure Jodie would be more than happy to work for you! Thanks for the help Channel 5, you guys are the greatest! ****** More Families Becoming Homeless

Posted: March 16, 2009 09:57 PM

Video Gallery <1> More Families Out On The Street 2:36

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tough economic times are making families the new face of homelessness. When moms and dads lose their jobs an entire family often loses.

People typically think of homeless population as individuals - some down on their luck, others out on the street by choice.

In Nashville and across the country, more and more families are finding themselves without a roof over their heads.

As a struggling father of three, Jodie Jarvis is supposed to provide and protect his family.

"We're both laid off - no funds. Just trying to make it and make my family comfortable some kind of way," he said.

In December, Jodie and his wife lost their jobs, and then their home - which is why he has swallowed what pride he has left, and asked churches, public and private agencies for help.

"We're trying to stay together as a family. We don't want to be split up," Jodie said.

For four months the family of five has shared a corner room in the Congress Inn. On Tuesday morning, the money will run out.

"It's just like watching them sink in quicksand but no way to help them out. It's painful. It's a miserable feeling," he said.

The family's van will likely be their new shelter.

"It's a bad thing. I just don't know... I don't know," he said.

Jodie said he feels like he's letting daughters down, and making it hard for them to have hope.

"I'm praying someone, some agency - somebody knows that I'm out here trying - that would help me help myself," he said.

Jodie isn't asking to win the lottery, just maybe a little luck.

Managers at the Congress Inn said a number of their guests are families who are in similar situations.

Managers said there is only so much they can do. Their bills are also going up, their occupancy is down, and the motel is caught in the middle.

Local Salvation Army officials said their demand for financial and housing assistance has doubled over the last two years. On average they receive 1,000 calls for help.