Economics
The Other America
Poverty
In America during the 1950's 40 million people lived in poverty, 1 out of every 4 people. The poverty line in 1959 was $2,973. The National Housing Act of 1949 was created to tear down old run down neighborhoods to build low income housing, that people could afford, The majority of people who lived there included; elderly, single women with children, African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.
National Housing Act
These are some of the affordable houses built to replace run down neighborhood.
Poverty Line
In twentieth-century America the history of poverty begins with most working people living on the edge of destitution, periodically short of food, fuel, clothing, and shelter. It ends with poverty greatly reduced, its components reshuffled. It is a story of both malleability and resilience – of poverty reworked by great economic, cultural, and political forces, and of poverty stubbornly resistant to rising affluence and productivity.
Upper Class
The wealthy Americans lived in suburbs and could afford the latest trends, and other luxury items.