In urban areas, the low wages and high unemployment led to homelessness. Those who could not afford rent or repayments were evicted. Makeshift shanters emerged, and these were nicknamed 'Hoovervilles' because many people blamed Herbert Hoover - the President - for the Depression. Others deliberately committed crimes so that they could be arrested, allowing them to stay in a police cell with a bed and food.
In the countryside, farm income was decimated, and in some cases, the cost of transporting animals to auction was greater than the value of the animals themselves.
