Far from being
overcrowded, poor Americans have more living space in their home than the
average non-poor person in Western Europe. Some 42 percent of all poor households actually own their
own homes; on average, this is a well-maintained three-bedroom house with one
and a half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.
According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, only 4 percent of poor children were hungry for even
a single day in the prior year because the family could not afford food. By its own report, the average
poor person had sufficient funds to meet all essential needs and was able to
obtain medical care for his family throughout the year whenever needed.