Evicted,
by Mathew Desmond, has been an eye-opening introduction to complex world of
housing and evictions that has helped me better humanize people’s personal
stories and struggles. With housing, many parties are involved each with their
own goals and challenges. Housing is more than a roof and utilities, it shapes
the lives of people and can greatly affect their quality of life.
As Desmond says in the epilogue of his book, affordable housing is a human capital investment just as education is. To further complicate the issue, disadvantaged minorities have less access to assistance programs due to the qualification systems in place that may punish them for their misfortunes (such as past evictions or low credit scores). The latest economic crash saw some minority groups lose up to half of their total family wealth. Wither it’s a mover forced to move his own daughter’s evicted house, physical or psychological disabilities, or even losing a child to a negligent fire, this added pressure can only make it harder for families to get back on their feet. Arleen, one of the main people highlighted this book, has faced evictions and many unsuitable conditions for her children, but she maintains hope declaring that she will be looking back at these times laughing in the future. Another person (Scott) was struggling with a drug addiction, sexuality, and homelessness, but still kept a paper with a 5-year plan to return to nursing. But these people’s dreams might go unseen in our society, and only the actions of people like Larrine splurging her assistance money on expensive food and furniture is quoted to disprove their worthiness. But if you look deeper, you will see that these splurges are a cry for help as she had little in her life to be happy about. These victims have hope and drive just as any other group. Not only the tenants, but the landlords may be victims as well. One of the land-lords in the book (Sherrena) is in pursuit of the American dream just as any of her tenants but is referred to as a “slum lord” by some.
As Desmond says in the epilogue of his book, affordable housing is a human capital investment just as education is. To further complicate the issue, disadvantaged minorities have less access to assistance programs due to the qualification systems in place that may punish them for their misfortunes (such as past evictions or low credit scores). The latest economic crash saw some minority groups lose up to half of their total family wealth. Wither it’s a mover forced to move his own daughter’s evicted house, physical or psychological disabilities, or even losing a child to a negligent fire, this added pressure can only make it harder for families to get back on their feet. Arleen, one of the main people highlighted this book, has faced evictions and many unsuitable conditions for her children, but she maintains hope declaring that she will be looking back at these times laughing in the future. Another person (Scott) was struggling with a drug addiction, sexuality, and homelessness, but still kept a paper with a 5-year plan to return to nursing. But these people’s dreams might go unseen in our society, and only the actions of people like Larrine splurging her assistance money on expensive food and furniture is quoted to disprove their worthiness. But if you look deeper, you will see that these splurges are a cry for help as she had little in her life to be happy about. These victims have hope and drive just as any other group. Not only the tenants, but the landlords may be victims as well. One of the land-lords in the book (Sherrena) is in pursuit of the American dream just as any of her tenants but is referred to as a “slum lord” by some.
On a
personal note, I was moved by one story in specific where Vanetta faced
eviction due to her child pulling a fire alarm. When I was a naive child, I remember
once pulling the fire alarm in an enormous building causing a massive panic.
After the fire-trucks and ambulances left, I had gotten away with little to no
scolding. But in Vanetta’s case, one strike was all it took. This stark
difference shows how little of a chance some may have.