Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

In an era marked by rising inequality and the widening chasm between the rich and the poor, housing has become an increasingly contested battleground. The American Dream of homeownership is slipping further out of reach for countless families, while the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise. At the heart of this crisis lies eviction, a legal process that forces tenants out of their homes.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

by Matthew Desmond

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2938 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	403 pages

FREE

"Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond, a sociologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, delves deep into the hidden world of eviction, exposing its devastating consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities. Through the intimate accounts of eight families living in Milwaukee, one of the most segregated cities in the United States, Desmond paints a vivid and heartbreaking portrait of the human toll of eviction.

The Faces of Eviction

Meet Arleen, a single mother of two, who struggles to pay rent while working two minimum-wage jobs. After being evicted, she and her children are forced to live in a homeless shelter, where they face constant fear and uncertainty.

Lamar, a young father, is unjustly evicted after being falsely accused of damaging his apartment. Ashamed and desperate, he resorts to selling drugs to make ends meet, ultimately landing in prison.

Sherrena, a wheelchair-bound grandmother, is evicted from her subsidized housing after a minor violation. With nowhere else to go, she is left stranded on the streets.

These are just a few of the countless stories that Desmond shares in "Evicted." Through these personal accounts, he lays bare the systemic injustices that disproportionately affect low-income families of color. Poverty, racial discrimination, and predatory lending practices converge to create a cycle of evictions that perpetuates poverty and destabilizes entire communities.

Profiting from Misery

Beyond the human toll, Desmond exposes the economic incentives that drive the eviction industry. Landlords, often operating as small businesses, rely on evictions to generate income. In some cases, they use aggressive tactics to push out tenants and increase their profits.

The book also shines a light on the role of government policies in perpetuating the eviction crisis. Desmond argues that housing subsidies, intended to help low-income families, often fall short of their intended goals and can actually contribute to instability.

A Call to Action

"Evicted" is not merely a work of reportage; it is a call to action. Desmond urges readers to confront the systemic injustices that drive eviction and to demand meaningful solutions. He proposes a range of policies, including expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and providing financial assistance to families at risk of eviction.

By bringing the hidden world of eviction to light, "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" challenges us to confront our nation's deep-seated inequalities and to work towards a more just and equitable society.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in social justice, urban poverty, housing policy, or the human condition, "Evicted" is a powerful and timely book that will leave a lasting impact on its readers.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

by Matthew Desmond

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2938 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	403 pages

FREE