Homelessness frequently evokes urban images of men sleeping in doorways or pushing shopping carts down the street. Rural homelessness evades radar like a stealth fighter. It becomes hidden by overcrowding a relative's home when hard luck hits. Families frequently sleep in campgrounds or in their cars while in transit looking for work. At least 20 percent of the homeless school-aged children are not in school, because they move too frequently or lack proper clothing or have unmet health needs or have emotional problems or need to care for a sibling. Women and children swell the ranks of the rural homeless when violence, divorce, or economics disrupt their lives.

Andy and Norma worked the flea markets selling crafted items they made in their small woodworking shop. Having no credit, they went to a rent-to-own business to buy their major purchases. For $70 a month they took home a nineteen inch TV and a VCR. After a number of months the rent-to-own designated them as preferred customers and invited them to purchase an additional appliance. Norma chose a washer. Soon the financial burden began to strain their budget. They finally returned all the merchandise with only three payments left, and lost their entire investment.

People without credit have few economic options. Unable to get a bank loan they frequent check cashing outlets and rent-to-own businesses that charge usurious interest rates. They must buy every major purchase on time. The slippery slope of debt easily allows them to fall behind on rent and utilities. Shopping at Wal-Mart becomes a luxury. Instead, they buy cheap household items at dollar stores and thrift shops or go without.