In this engaging conversation, anthropologist Brian Goldstone, author of *There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America*, sheds light on the unsettling reality that a significant portion of homeless individuals are employed yet cannot afford housing. He discusses the myths surrounding homelessness and the flawed perceptions that underestimate its complexity. Goldstone emphasizes systemic issues like wage stagnation and the inadequacies of current data, advocating for viewing housing as a fundamental right instead of a luxury.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Working Yet Homeless Reality
A man with a full-time office job still couldn't afford housing and was homeless.
40 to 60 percent of homeless people in America are working despite housing insecurity.
insights INSIGHT
Invisible Homelessness Underestimated
The visible homeless population is only the tip of the iceberg; many are hidden in motels, cars, or couch surfing.
Official counts miss millions, potentially underestimating homelessness by six times.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Family Caught in Hotel Trap
Maurice and Natalia, a working Black family, were priced out of their home and forced into costly, squalid extended stay hotels.
They paid more than double rent monthly and struggled to escape this "hotel trap."
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Published in 1939, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a powerful and poignant novel by John Steinbeck. It tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma tenant farmers who are forced to leave their home after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The novel follows their arduous journey along Route 66 to California, where they face numerous hardships, including poverty, exploitation, and the loss of family members. The book explores themes of family, survival, and the struggle for human dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity. It also delves into the broader social and economic issues of the time, highlighting the conflict between the powerful and the powerless. Steinbeck's work is known for its vivid portrayal of the human condition and its impact on American literature and society[2][4][5].
There is No Place for Us, Working and Homeless in America
There is No Place for Us, Working and Homeless in America
Working and Homeless in America
Brian Goldstone
Brian Goldstone's "There is No Place for Us" explores the growing issue of working homelessness in American cities. The book delves into the lives of individuals who work but still struggle to afford housing, highlighting systemic failures and economic disparities. Goldstone examines the challenges faced by these individuals, including lack of affordable housing, stagnant wages, and inadequate social safety nets. The book offers a critical analysis of the current economic landscape and its impact on vulnerable populations. It serves as a call to action, urging readers to consider the complexities of homelessness and advocate for policy changes.
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Andy Weir
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Poverty, by America
Matthew Desmond
In 'Poverty, by America', Matthew Desmond uses history, research, and original reporting to expose how affluent Americans, both knowingly and unknowingly, contribute to the persistence of poverty. The book details how corporate and governmental policies exploit the poor, driving down wages and forcing them to overpay for essential services like housing, cash, and credit. Desmond argues that the root of poverty lies not in the behavior of poor people but in the systemic exploitation by the wealthy. He also emphasizes the intersection of race and poverty, particularly affecting Black Americans, and calls for readers to become 'poverty abolitionists' to build a more economically just society[1][3][4].
Evicted
Matthew Desmond
Enrique Maldonado Roldn
In 'Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,' Matthew Desmond provides a detailed and compassionate look at the lives of eight families in Milwaukee who are struggling to maintain stable housing. The book explores the intersection of poverty, housing, and profit in the United States, highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to eviction and its consequences on families and communities.
Having a full-time job doesn’t guarantee a roof over your head. While many Americans still equate homelessness with unemployment, the reality is that 40 to 60 percent of unhoused people in this country are working. This week, Adam sits down with anthropologist Brian Goldstone—author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America—to examine the harsh truths behind America’s narrow understanding of homelessness. Find Brian's book at factuallypod.com/books
About Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.
Factually! with Adam Conover 
