Introduction:

Will Smith's new movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness," tells the true story of a single father struggling to stay above the poverty line who ends up homeless.   This film draws attention to the national issues of poverty and homelessness.  

Experts and Credentials:

Dr. Roberta Iversen

  Associate Professor, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania

 * Researched poverty in the U.S., finding nearly 25% of American workers with two full-time working parents in the household do not earn enough to support their families

 * Author of "Jobs Aren't Enough: Toward a New Economic Mobility for Low-Income Families"

 * Well-respected, highly credible authority in wage disparities, insufficient wages, the minimum wage and low-income families

Dr. Dennis Culhane

  Professor, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania

 * Nationally recognized expert in homelessness and housing policy

 * Research has been instrumental in a national shift in how society addresses homelessness

 * Has worked with the City of New York to better understand its homeless issues and how the lack of affordable housing can lead to homelessness