Homelessness is primarily a problem of poverty. The persistence of poverty in the United States reflects much more than a simple aggregation of individual failings. Structural factors, such as how we understand and define poverty, the inherent features of our economic system that produce income inequality, social inequality, and our policy responses to these problems shape current trends. Economic changes are those most closely associated with trends in overall rates, regardless of how poverty is measured. Poverty rates are high among minority groups, children and female-headed households (Iceland, 2003). According to Professor Iceland's research, rates of extreme poverty are highest among children and African Americans and lowest among whites, Asians and the elderly. Among families with children, married couples were less likely to be poor (6.9%) than single-parent men (17.5%) and single-parent women (35.3%). Many factors can lead to homelessness, but this research will focus on two main reasons, insufficient economic resources and affordable housing. Other causes include lack of education, domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, etc. Insufficient Economic Resources The root cause of homelessness is largely explained by economics: people who become homeless do not have sufficient financial resources to obtain or maintain housing. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) show that 75 percent of households at or below the poverty line face severe housing costs. Unexpected financial crises would jeopardize housing stability and lead to an increased risk of homelessness. New York has the 25th highest poverty rate in the United States. According to Ameri...... middle of paper ... those who live in poverty, those who do not have sufficient economic resources, those who do not have affordable housing, those who have health problems and those who face unjust racial prejudice. (criminal justice system). We also looked at the domestic situation of the homeless and the educational situation of minorities. If these racial disparities and inequalities are not addressed at all levels, including employment, housing, health, criminal justice, mental health, domestic violence, as well as other disparities that exist in this society , there will continually be a higher number of minorities. who are homeless in New York. There are many other factors that lead to homelessness besides those mentioned above, but for this research two factors will be examined:; insufficient economic resources and lack of affordable housing.