The “feminization of poverty” describes the growing global trend of women disproportionately living in poverty compared to men. In the US, 11.6 percent of women and girls experience poverty compared to 9.6 percent of males. For single mothers, this disparity is even more pronounced, with 28 percent living in poverty, while single fathers only have a 15 percent poverty rate. Racial inequality further compounds these challenges for Black, Hispanic, and Native American mothers who experience much higher rates of poverty compared to white mothers. At Housing Up, this is more than data; it’s the lived experiences of many of the families we serve. The majority of the families are led by Black and brown single mothers, with some of our affordable housing communities, like Partner Arms II, being made up solely of mothers and children. In recognition of National Women’s History Month in March, we’re examining how systemic barriers and societal attitudes contribute to higher poverty rates among women. The feminization of poverty is not an inevitable consequence of women’s reproductive roles; it is the direct result of deeply entrenched inequities and a pervasive failure to recognize, compensate, and value women’s contributions. 

Why Do Women Experience Poverty at Higher Rates? 

In childhood, boys and girls experience poverty at relatively similar rates. However the gap becomes more prominent in early adulthood due to intersecting factors like the gender pay gap, occupational segregation, overrepresentation in single-parent households, and higher rates of domestic violence. Although the gender pay gap has narrowed over recent decades, women in 2024 still earned only 81 cents for every dollar men earned. Women also tend to be concentrated in lower-wage, undervalued sectors, such as early childhood education and home health care. This pattern of occupational segregation is predominantly driven by social attitudes, like the belief that women are “natural caregivers”. Other financial hurdles, including debt and predatory lending, disproportionately affect women. Women hold two-thirds of the US student loan debt, with Black women graduating with the highest debt burdens of any group. A 2025 study also found that single women are almost 30 percent more likely than men to be denied a mortgage, and when approved, face higher borrowing costs. In the short and long term, these economic barriers constrain women’s ability to accumulate wealth and achieve lasting financial stability. 

Another key driver of the feminization of poverty is single motherhood. Women are significantly more likely to head single-parent households than men; in DC, 88 percent of adults in families experiencing homelessness are women. Despite the fact that single mothers are more likely to be employed and work multiple jobs compared to married mothers, workplace and government policies often provide inadequate support. The US is one of the few advanced economies that does not guarantee paid maternity, sick, and medical leave. For working mothers, a sick child or a pregnancy can mean the difference between being able to pay rent or afford basic necessities like groceries. At the same time, childcare is extremely costly, with families in DC paying some of the highest rates in the country. In our conversation earlier this year, Housing Up resident Ms. Long, who is a single mother of two, shared the primary obstacles she faced in securing stable housing:

“Working minimum-wage jobs–that was the number one reason. Then I had young children, so it was hard for me to keep a job because they would always get sick at daycare…And we just really didn’t have the resources.” -Ms. Long, affordable housing resident at Housing Up 

Investing in Women, Empowering Communities 

Investing in women and girls has profound impacts; the World Bank estimates that closing the gender pay gap could help end poverty and increase global economic gains by $160 trillion. However, no country in the world offers equal economic opportunities to women. Gender inequality is not a women’s issue; it undermines the progress, well-being, and prosperity of society as a whole. During a time in the US when inequity and prejudice are being celebrated on a national stage, it is crucial that we actively combat this rhetoric. 

Housing Up is a women-led organization that serves predominantly women and their families. We recognize that not all women face the same barriers to stability—Black women, in particular, experience “double jeopardy,” the compounded impact of racism and sexism. Providing women with safe and affordable housing is the first step to creating equity. Once families have a place to call home, we provide them with support services like employment counseling, financial literacy classes, and educational assistance. Home is more than a roof over a family’s head; it is the foundation for stability, opportunity, and transformation.