The concept of poverty is often interpreted as a state of being “poor” or “not poor.” However, identifying one population as “poor” and everyone else as “not poor” oversimplifies the economic circumstances individuals and families face over the year. Poor living conditions like less desirable housing, limited job opportunities and lack of access to medical services are exacerbated when high poverty rates exist over time, affecting all residents whether or not they’re poor themselves. Government agencies seek to identify high-poverty areas as targets for increased levels of support.

Understanding the Context