The following information is taken from Habitat’s Environmental Scanning Report (2005): In the United States, 36 million people live in poverty, according to government definitions. An estimated 920 million people are in need of improved housing conditions in cities throughout the world. The number is expected to rise to 2 billion by 2030. Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 million Americans are homeless, and 2 million live in substandard housing. Why can’t people in poverty afford decent housing? In the United States, 95 million people are in housing need. One-third spends more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Another 13 percent spends more than 50 percent.
