The JPB Foundation engaged the Urban Institute to provide background on the problem of
deep and persistent poverty in the United States. This paper summarizes the history of US
antipoverty policies, synthesizes existing knowledge about poverty and deep poverty, and
presents a framework for understanding the complex and multi-faceted landscape of
antipoverty efforts today. It also draws on interviews with over 30 experts, philanthropists,
and thought leaders in the field to review and distill the most current thinking about …

Today, the constellation of antipoverty efforts in the United States is vast, complex, and
fragmented. A multiplicity of programs and initiatives provide various forms of assistance or
support to different groups of poor people at different points in their lives. In the case of
federally funded programs, one study documents over 80 need-based programs that provide
cash benefits, food assistance, medical benefits or insurance, housing, education, child
care, job training, energy aid, and a wide variety of other services. Table 1 provides a …