Despite working full-time, many Americans, like Celeste Walker, face homelessness due to the widening gap between wages and housing costs.
Systemic flaws in housing policies, illustrated by Britt's struggle with a Section 8 voucher, obstruct access to necessary assistance for those in need.
Deep dives
The Misconception of Homelessness
Many working people in America face homelessness despite holding jobs, highlighting the misconception that employment guarantees stability. For instance, Celeste Walker, despite undergoing treatment for cancer, found herself living in inadequate conditions with her children after losing housing. Upon seeking assistance at a local organization, her situation was dismissed because she did not fit the strict definition of 'literal homelessness.' This reflects a broader issue where individuals who are struggling yet employed are overlooked in prevailing conversations about homelessness.
The Stark Reality of Housing Affordability
The gap between wages and housing costs continues to widen, contributing to an escalating homelessness crisis across America. Since 1985, rents have risen significantly faster than incomes, making it impossible for many working families to find affordable housing. Reports indicate that no full-time worker earning minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment in any part of the country. This challenge is compounded by the fact that many individuals, especially those on fixed incomes, face insurmountable barriers due to stagnating wages and rising living costs.
Challenges with Housing Assistance Programs
Many individuals face significant obstacles when trying to access housing assistance programs, as seen through Britt's experience with a Section 8 housing voucher. After successfully entering the lottery for a voucher, Britt struggles to find a landlord willing to accept it, ultimately losing the opportunity when it expires. This highlights the systemic flaws in housing policies that fail to account for the realities of the rental market, where stigmas against voucher holders prevent them from securing stable housing. The disconnect between available assistance and actual access reflects a deeper issue in the housing landscape across America.
The Impact of Private Equity on Housing Stability
The role of private equity in the housing market often exacerbates the precariousness faced by working families, as illustrated by Maurice and Natalia's story. After being priced out of their apartment, they encounter a corporate landlord who prioritizes profit over tenant stability, leading to swift evictions for minor rent delays. This dynamic reveals how institutional investors are reshaping the housing market, making it difficult for families to secure long-term housing solutions. The trend toward corporate ownership of rental properties contributes to the ongoing housing crisis, where working families are increasingly at the mercy of profit-driven entities.
Millions of Americans cannot afford housing despite working full-time jobs. They live in cars, shelters, or extended-stay hotels and often don’t qualify for assistance programs. Journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone follows five Atlanta families who are stuck in this cycle in his new book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Goldstone reveals how these parents and children are prevented from securing housing by steep rents, red tape, and predatory schemes. He spoke with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about how this crisis arose and ways to address it. Listen to the full interview on Apple Podcasts.
Correction: A previous version of this episode misstated when the federal minimum wage was last raised. We have removed that line from the interview. The last federal minimum-wage raise was in 2009, not the 1990s.
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