Poverty is relative. Compared to billionaires we all live in poverty. True poverty is not being able to attain food or shelter. Indeed many who are considered fabulously wealthy by neolithic standards are not able to find shelter or are barred from it by society (getting run off by police from public areas, national parks etc).

Define poverty as something than just income from wages. Can you "fix" poverty? Compared to my living standards I know people who I consider living in poverty but to them it is just life and they are used to government help. While a noble or laudable effort, giving them money holds them back.

In general, welfare benefits cement or create a lower class. I think our view of poverty is really just class guilt and fear.