In the nineteenth century, urban poverty was a huge issue and today it still is an issue. I believe the reason urban poverty has been such a difficult subject for Americans to discuss is because of how devastating it is. In the 1890s, there was a huge difference between the rich and the poor. While the rich were flaunting their fabulous wealth, the working men and women, lived hard lives on low salaries also living in crowded and unpleasant places. These people have to different sides to the situation. As Jacob Riis wrote “ the half that is on top cares little for the struggles, and less for the fate of those who are underneath so long as it is able to hold them there and keep its own seat.” The housing was one of the most visible aspects of
