In Silicon valley, "poor" means an individual earning $37,200/year, according to federal housing officials. Less than 30% can afford to buy a house, the median price of which is $410,000 - more than twice that for the rest of the country. The average two-bedroom apartment is $1700/month. Even people with decent full-time jobs are homeless. Some immigrants live ~25 to a house, each paying, say, $400.