How many people in America are living in poverty? What are safety net programs? Why are suburbs also experiencing poverty?

Around 40 million people in America are living in poverty. President Lyndon Johnson declared unconditional war on poverty in the 1960s, creating a safety net with a variety of programmes. These measures included boosting both social security benefits for the elderly and food stamps, which help low-income families purchase food. Suburbs are experiencing poverty due to rising housing costs.