Though poverty has slightly declined in recent years, the US Census Bureau found last year that nearly 40 million people are living in poverty in America. Poverty affects almost every area of life for Americans in every state and city across genders, ages, employment, and education.

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Though those living on the street are the most noticeable, homelessness is just one issue Americans in poverty face.

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People in a variety of circumstances rely on government programs and local resources to aid in their struggle to support themselves and their families, working long hours on small incomes.

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Those who are homeless in cities resort to public spaces instead of shelters because of strict rules and eligibility requirements.

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Those who live on the streets are at the mercy of weather conditions, law enforcement officials, and finding small available spaces.

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Some cities create additional shelters for colder months. When a homeless woman was found with a stillborn infant at a Portland bus stop last year, the city set up beds on a shelter’s spare floor space.

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There’s been controversy in cities with overwhelmingly large homeless populations, as local officials have ramped up the physical removal or prevention of homeless settlements. Though officials in Seattle are supposed to offer a move to a shelter and 72 hours notice, that only happened around 60% of the time as of August.

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To manage the number of people who need shelter and immediate services, massive temporary shelters provide a stable place while authorities can prepare more permanent arrangements.

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Some in cities find small supplemental incomes collecting cans out of recycling bins and turning them into profit. Though this could offer some relief, the collecting takes time and confronting competition.

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Those who work but do not earn specified income rates miss out on federal healthcare benefits. In recent years, clinics by mobile medical groups have been on the rise to provide free dental, vision, and medical care to isolated and poverty-stricken communities.

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There are 40 million Americans who struggle with hunger, including more than 12 million children.

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