Homelessness is a Housing Problem

How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns

De: Gregg Colburn, Clayton Page Aldern

Narrado por: Adam Verner

In Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern seek to explain the substantial regional variation in rates of homelessness in cities across the United States. In a departure from many analytical approaches, Colburn and Aldern shift their focus from the individual experiencing homelessness to the metropolitan area. Using accessible statistical analysis, they test a range of conventional beliefs about what drives the prevalence of homelessness in a given city—including mental illness, drug use, poverty, weather, generosity of public assistance, and low-income mobility—and find that none explain the regional variation observed across the country. Instead, housing market conditions, such as the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a far more convincing account. With rigor and clarity, Homelessness Is a Housing Problem explores United States cities' diverse experiences with housing precarity and offers policy solutions for unique regional contexts.

©2022 Gregg Colburn and Clayton Aldern (P)2023 Tantor

It’s in the details.

As someone who is curious about systems and solutions when it comes to housing, Homelessness is a Housing Problem was exactly what I needed to hear. It doesn’t just talk numbers, but about the systems and their fragility, and potential sustainable solutions. For a reality many are not shielded from it was refreshing to not be left with doubt, but more so optimism that improvements can be made in a sustainable way. Great read! Especially for those who plan to make an impact. * The narration flowed well, and felt conversational.

Good explanation

Best explanation I have read so far of homelessness:
It is high in areas which have a *low rental vacancy rate* - below 4%. Homelessness in areas with rates over 5% have lower homelessness.
It’s that simple.

Other factors (such as levels of addiction) do not explain homelessness variations from geographical area to geographical area - only the percentage of rental units which are vacant.
Simple. But not simple to fix.

Gives the extremely successful program to end veteran homelessness, led from the federal level, as a template for what can be achieved if the country wants to.

Bad narration

The narrator sounded like AI. It was very distracting. The information was good and would have been easier to take in with better narration.

A must listen

Everyone and anyone who cares about homelessness, poverty, equality, economics should listen to this audiobook.

NO PDF! NO CHARTS!

it's a very interesting and thoughtful book but relies on data so it is unconscionable not to include links to charts that are often referred to. this is the first audible book that refers to charts that HASN'T included such an option. Shame on the publisher.