The Washington area has ridden the stability of federal jobs and government contracting to the lowest poverty rate of any major metropolitan area in America, according to the Census Bureau. When compared with areas like Fresno, Calif. — where 26.8 percent of the population lives under the poverty line — or McAllen, Texas, which at 33.4 percent has the highest poverty rate in the country, the Washington area, including counties in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, boasts relative prosperity with a poverty rate of 8.4 percent.

But homeless advocates say their battle against hunger and poverty in the District and its suburbs is far from over.