• Poverty is a state or condition in which an individual or community lacks the financial resources and basic necessities to provide a minimum standard of living.

  • Poor people and families may be left without proper housing, clean water, healthy food and medical care.
  • Poverty is both a personal problem and a broader social problem.
  • The US poverty threshold for a family of four is $26,500 per year.
  • Social security programs are used by governments to fight poverty.