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The decline of manufacturing in the city, decrease in the value of welfare payments, and entrenched poverty in communities like the Bronx had long-term consequences in New York. Due to these circumstances, family poverty as well as family homelessness would become part of life in the city. Even as overall economic conditions improved, a segment of the population continued to struggle.
Sixteen-year-old Shanna Fuller decided that it was best to keep her family’s homelessness a secret from her new boyfriend. “You don't know if you can trust him yet or whether he'll put your business out on the street,'' she explained. ''I told him I might be living with my aunt because she's lonely, but I didn't give him a specific location.” Her brother, 12-year-old Darian, had covered up the family’s situation by mentioning a possible move.
Over time the most concentrated areas of poverty in the city have shifted as have the areas with few poor persons.
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