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There are a number of questions to be answered when addressing the subject of homelessness in the United States. What are the primary causes of homelessness? What are the economic and socioeconomic factors that have an impact on homeless people? What demographic trends can be identified in homeless populations? Is the U.S. addressing the needs and concerns of homeless people adequately? Where are the areas with the highest homeless populations? What can be done to help homeless people who live with mental illness and/or addiction problems?
Homelessness in America: A Reference Handbook answers all of these questions and more. It thoroughly examines the history of homelessness in the U.S., shining a light on the key issues, events, policies, and attitudes that contribute to homelessness and shape the experience of being homeless. It places special emphasis on exploring the myriad problems that force people into homelessness, such as inadequate levels of affordable housing, struggles with substance abuse, and gaps in the U.S.' social welfare system. In addition, it explains why some demographic groups are at heightened risk of homelessness.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
February 18, 2022 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9798216098805
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9798216098805
- File size: 7419 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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May 1, 2022
In the preface to her helpful guide, sociologist Wakin (Ctr. for Urban Poverty, Bridgewater State Univ.) discusses the prevalence of homelessness in the United States, particularly surprising because it exceeds rates of homelessness and poverty in many less-affluent countries. In the rest of the book, she explains individual and societal factors that contribute to poverty and homelessness, and identifies demographic trends in populations of people who are homeless. The work also sheds light on systemic racism affecting access to housing and explores the history of homelessness in the U.S., with an emphasis on three critical eras: the Great Depression, the 1980s, and the Great Recession. The last three chapters contain primary-source documents (e.g., "The Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress"), print and online resources for further research, and a chronology of homelessness in the United States from the 1920s to the present. The resulting work is practical and invaluable: it will help clear up common misconceptions about homelessness and offers systemic solutions. VERDICT Wakin's concise but comprehensive guide is recommended for any reader who wants to understand homelessness in the United States.--Dave Pugl
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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