In Des Moines, Iowa, you have to WANT to be utterly destitute and homeless. There's about 200 homeless people living by the river but 90% of them want to live the way they do. My church outreaches to them often. Here, employment levels are at record highs. You can buy a low-end house for 50 grand or less; and with less than 10% down. Property taxes are low. Average personal income is 36k a year. The community will give you a house if you cannot afford one and want one. If you are low or no income, the hospitals will treat you because the state will give you insurance. If your house needs repair or weatherization and you can't afford it the county will do it for you. If you need food, there are food banks that are like grocery stores with item limits, but you can pick what you want. They don't have just canned and dry foods. It really is like a grocery store. It's amazing. I know 'poor people' here and I know 'poor people' I've met through global travel and let me tell you the only poor people here in Des Moines are poorly connected because of wonderful community sponsored resources that are available. It's a lovely place to live.