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A review by girlnouns
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
5.0
I really should have read this book in high school, it really summarizes how systematic cycles of poverty are. It's crazy that calling the police to report domestic violence can result in an eviction. Also crazy that some people reviewing the book sympathize with the landlords that are not only in the uppermost bracket of wealth, but evict tenants on a whim, don't keep up their properties, and penny-pinch their tenants while they enjoy their unearned wealth.
While Matthew Desmond does his best to offer solutions, I think his recognition that it is not just a housing problem but a healthcare (opioid addictions, rehab programs, insurance)and legal (court system/police) problem should be addressed. One thing I had a problem with is that he didn't pay the people he interviewed, while I'm sure he was an invaluable resource for rides + phone calls + child care, I think they deserve pay or compensation in some sense.
I hope that the laws and policies have changed since the time the book was written but from what I gather unemployment has been a useless safety net to prevent evictions and I'm sure some of the other services like reduced housing has been affected due to COVID as well.
While Matthew Desmond does his best to offer solutions, I think his recognition that it is not just a housing problem but a healthcare (opioid addictions, rehab programs, insurance)and legal (court system/police) problem should be addressed. One thing I had a problem with is that he didn't pay the people he interviewed, while I'm sure he was an invaluable resource for rides + phone calls + child care, I think they deserve pay or compensation in some sense.
I hope that the laws and policies have changed since the time the book was written but from what I gather unemployment has been a useless safety net to prevent evictions and I'm sure some of the other services like reduced housing has been affected due to COVID as well.