Poverty Ebooks on Extreme Poverty, Low Income & Homelessness

Feed a Family on a Budget

Information Pack

This resource looks at how families can lower their food budget to help reduce household expenses during difficult times.

Published: 2022
Pages: 19

Price: £1.19

The main source of global information on extreme poverty is the World Bank, which is part of the United Nations.

Measuring Poverty

It is difficult to measure poverty across the world because income levels, prices and the cost of living differs from country to country and therefore the definition of poverty varies from one society to another.

According to the World Bank, a staggering 1 in 10 people globally are estimated to be living in extreme poverty — almost one in five live on less than $4.20 per day and nearly half the global population lives on less than $8.30 per day,

These shocking figures should, at the very least, make us think about ways these issues should be addressed.

Where is the Poverty Line?

We regularly hear reports of people living ‘below the poverty line’, especially with the current cost of living conditions. The poverty line is the minimum level of income required to secure life’s basic necessities.

To measure poverty on a local, national and international level, a number of adjustments need to be made.

Most societies agree that a person is regarded to be living in poverty if they do not have enough money or resources to meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter. This level of poverty affects an individual’s life in many ways including:

Education
Health
Employment opportunities
Social status
Relationships

Destitution

People living below the poverty line are regarded as ‘destitute’. Destitution is an extreme form of poverty where, as mentioned above, people cannot even afford essentials like:

Food
Clothing
Toiletries
Utilities
Shelter

Homelessness

Someone can be considered homeless for a number of circumstances which include sleeping rough, experiencing domestic abuse or at risk of losing their home. In England, some reasons you can be classed as legally homeless are:

Residing in an overcrowded property
Dealing with poor living conditions
Unable to gain entry to your home

When somebody doesn’t have a permanent place of residence they are often referred to as ‘couch surfing’ or having ‘no fixed abode’. These terms can, but not always, mean they are considered homeless.

Every person’s situation is different and their homeless status can only be determined after seeking help and advice.

Help and Advice for Homelessness

Information Pack

Measuring Poverty

Where is the Poverty Line?

Destitution

Homelessness

Help and Advice for Homelessness

Shelter England:

Shelter Scotland:

Shelter Wales:

Housing Rights (Northern Ireland):

Focus Ireland:

Homeless Link: