Philadelphia Grapples With Highest Deep Poverty Rate Of US Large Cities

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 22: John, who is homeless and is struggling with alcohol addiction, has a cigarette outside of a church which serves as a shelter in the evenings on October 22, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The program for homeless men is run by the Bethesda Project which serves more than 2,500 homeless and formerly homeless men and women each year at 14 sites throughout Philadelphia. One of the nation's largest and most historic metropolitan areas, Philadelphia has become the poorest big city in America. It also has the highest rate of deep poverty in America - those with incomes below half of the poverty line - of any of the nation's 10 largest cities. While much of downtown Philadelphia is vibrant with exceptional restaurants, museums and nightlife, many areas immediately outside the center are mired in multi-generational deep poverty. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)