More than 1.5 million children experience homelessness in a year.

More than 38 million Americans live in poverty

“... to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.”—Micah 6:8

Poverty USA & the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)

Poverty USA is an initiative of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and was created as an educational resource to help individuals and communities to address poverty in America by confronting the root causes of economic injustice—and promoting policies that help to break the cycle of poverty.

The domestic anti-poverty program of the US Catholic Bishops, CCHD helps low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities—and nurtures solidarity between people living in poverty and their neighbors.

Encounter

It takes all of us together to make a difference. Do you have something to say about living in Poverty USA, or finding a way out? Share your ideas and commitment with your friends and community.

Stories of Hope

wide shot of smoke stacks of a polluting factory

Supporting Environmental Justice in Portland, OR

One of our many efforts is supporting the work for environmental justice. CCHD supports community organizations throughout the country, working to tackle many dimensions of the complex social and environmental crisis facing our world. But in order to understand the solution, it's necessary to understand the problem.

A History of Discrimination, Redlining, and Affordable Housing Work in Washington, D.C.

For 50 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has promoted systemic change to address poverty’s root causes throughout the United States. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we wanted to highlight the impact of some of the organizations we’ve funded over the last five decades.

Protesters kneeling and holding their hands in the air

Resources For Racial Justice and How to Get Involved

Recently, the US has seen nationwide protests as a result of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. It is sadly not the first time such a disturbing event has occurred in recent memory. It is, however, a grim result of racial tensions between police and citizens, particularly those in the communities of color.

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Multimedia

The Web of Poverty

In the United States, tens of millions of people live in a web of poverty. This video offers a unique insight into the complexity of poverty, how it connects to everything that we do and the factors that keep so many people and families entrapped.

Poverty USA

Learn more about the reality of poverty in the United States and find out how PovertyUSA.org can help you to join the work to address its root causes.

Two feet of Love in Action

As missionary disciples, we are called to respond to God’s love through both Charitable Works and Social Justice. This video on the Two Feet of Love in Action is perfect for sharing on social media and in your networks.

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Learn

The key to solving a problem? Understanding it. Listen to real stories about people living in poverty, learn the facts about poverty in the United States, understand the root causes, and—just as important—how people are helping themselves and others out of Poverty USA.

Last year, 1 in 7 American households were food insecure.

Act

There are lots of ways to take action. You can spread the word about poverty in the United States, advocate for change, find and support organizations in your community, give time or resources or contact local representatives.