Nearly 40 million people are living in poverty in America.

Individuals and families living in poverty face a wide variety of issues that push them to rely on government programs and local resources, though resources like shelters and public housing aren't always reliable solutions.

Those who are living on the street and in shelters face especially brutal conditions in winter months as food-insecure households face stretched-thin local resources.

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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.

See the different ways poverty affects Americans across the nation.