HOMEWOOD | Alicia Smith has been bouncing from state to state trying to find a decent place to live.

Evicted from her apartment, she found her way back to Markham with her two sons, age 8 and 10. Smith knew she needed a place for her boys to lay their heads down at night and feel protected.

"I didn't have any confidence then," said Smith, 33. "I just kept thinking ... what am I going to do ... where am I going to go?"

On June 30, Smith and her family found a local PADS - Public Action to Deliver Shelter - facility.

Smith is reflective of the growing number of homeless. Illinois officials suspect the numbers are expected to grow as long as the economy worsens.

Smith reflects a newer trend -- families seeking shelter.

She tells about her family arriving at the shelter in the evenings just in time for dinner. They would eat and she was always in bed by 9 p.m. preparing herself for the next day's events.

Mornings, the family would wake up early, have breakfast and then head to summer camp for her boys.

Once the boys had arrived at camp, Smith would take the afternoon to look for employment, fill out paper work, visit the aid office and complete doctor's visits.

Once the boys arrived home for camp, Smith would sit with them while they played on the computer.

"They were scared at first," said Smith. "But they grew to know everyone here and we all became a family. The boys played with the other kids that were here, too."

In late August, Smith received notification she would be moved into the Transitional Housing Program. Before long, she would have her own furnished apartment.

On Sept. 4, Smith woke up early and sent her kids on their way. She had a busy day planned. It was her son's birthday and her and another guest had a party planned for him that evening.

"We cooked a nice dinner for him and had a party, "said Smith.

But Smith says the best birthday present for her son, and her as well, was when South Suburban PADS Executive Director, Mike Wasserberg told her it was time to go home to their new apartment.

"My boys were so excited," said Smith. "They couldn't wait to use the bunk beds."

Now that Smith is in the Transitional Housing Program, she says she is optimistic about their future.

"My confidence level is way up," she said. "Even though I am in my own apartment, if I need anything or want anything I just come here and I can get the assistance I need."

Scenarios like Smith's are becoming more common due to the current state of the economy.

According to a recent report by Housing Action Illinois, 71 percent of state-funded shelters saw an increase in the number of homeless.

"There are many people who are experiencing a loss of jobs and those same individuals are having a hard time finding affordable housing," said Bob Palmer, policy director for Housing Action Illinois. "I know of some service providers who are turning people away."

Although South Suburban PADS is not turning people away. They, too, have seen a drastic increase in people seeking shelter.

"From October to December of 2007 we served 8,534 shelters nights," said Wasserberg. "During that same time period this past year we served 12,378 shelter nights. That's up 41 percent from just one year ago."

"It's a result of the economy layered on top of normal situations that lead people to homelessness," he said.

Wasserberg, Palmer, and Smith all agree. In order for things to turn around in their community there has to be one thing; jobs.

"These people want to be employed. They want to get up in the morning and have that sense of self worth. They want jobs, they want to be productive. They want an opportunity that will lead to bigger and better things.They want to live the American dream," Wasserberg said.

Smith says she can't wait to see what the new president will bring to the table. She hopes he will provide a brighter outlook on the future.

"I think that if we give him a chance he will pull us out of this," she said. "Maybe not this year and maybe not next, but before his term ends I believe we will be back where we used to be and the job market will be better, too."

For now, her next step is to find a stable employment. She hopes to work in cleaning services.

"If you put your mind to it, you can be anything you want to be. I know, no matter what, my boys will make it."