“A dire shortage of affordable housing”: Jerusalem Demsas on the structural causes of homelessness

Every day, over half a million Americans are homeless. What has led to this crisis? In this essay, writer Jerusalem Demsas critiques the way homelessness is often framed as an individual’s “personal failure,” with little attempt to recognize or rectify its underlying root causes. She argues that the lack of affordable housing is at the center of the homelessness problem in many U.S. cities and communities.

Jerusalem Demsas, "The Obvious Answer to Homelessness," Atlantic, 12 December 2022

 

1. Demsas writes, “Homelessness is best understood as a ‘flow’ problem, not a ‘stock’ problem” (paragraph 12). Explain this statement in your own words. How does this understanding of homelessness differ from common assumptions about who experiences homelessness and why?
   
2. Some push back on Demsas’s claims, arguing that other factors, such as a rise in mental health issues, high rates of drug addiction, or a favorable climate can explain why certain cities have higher rates of homelessness. Find one place in Demsas’s essay where she introduces and answers one of these objections. What evidence does she use to respond to this naysayer? Do you find her response persuasive? Why or why not?
3. Paragraph 9 begins with an arresting example of metacommentary: “I want to be precise here.” What does this statement do for Demsas’s readers? How does it affect the tone of the essay and how you perceive the author? Identify one other place where the author uses metacommentary effectively. Refer to chapter 10, which explains how writers use metacommentary in their arguments.
4. According to the author, what prevents communities who are experiencing high rates of homelessness from implementing policies and programs that could address these root causes? What is the history of this resistance? Who benefits from “enforced scarcity”?
5. Do some research on how policymakers and administrators are addressing homelessness in your community or on your campus. Do these programs criminalize homelessness, merely making it less visible? Or do they address some of the root causes of homelessness, such as Houston’s “rapid rehousing” program that moves people into temporary apartments? What kind of program has the most potential for making a positive impact in your community, especially for those who are most vulnerable?

Comments

[shAMIKA]

I totally agree with this essay because houses and apartments are expensive now a days and alot of people cant afford to pay those type of monthly rents.
1. yes it is definitely a flow problem because there are so many homeless people due to drugs, no jobs, family violence , and etc.
2. when she says personal failure . when she states about the drug addiction and etc. i do find it to be persuasive because these are true statements
3.becuase she is stating that she want to be specific and provide facts. it affects the tone becuae she is trying to get her point across.
4. not having as many affordable communities or programs for the homeless. less places mpre homeless people. the homeless
5. i think the address the root problem to a certain extent. houston rehousing programs helps to a certain extent but if a person is a drug addict it doesnt address the root problem.

[poop]

poop

[Poop]

poop Goes where?????? This article is factually incorrect. Poop comes out of the anus and starts in the mouth with food. Then travels down the esophagus into the stomach which then goes into the intestine ready to spit out the backside. There are many harmful reasons why this article is incorrect.

[maria]

I agree with what has been stated in the essay. Personal failure is one of the major reasons that are known for homelessness but many don't look at the causes for this which is the cost of housing. Due to the high priced housing many are not able to afford and this leads to homelessness. By ‘’flow it is meant that there are a number of causes leading to homelessness. It is caused by something which leads to homelessness. This is different than what is commonly assumed because there are a number of underlying factors and usually people don't start off the same. She answers these objections by mentioning personal failure and experiences affecting these outcomes. She also talks abut drug addiction and find them to be persuasive because these are major reasons that people become homeless.This statement lets the reader know that they are providing detailed facts. It is in a more serious tone and perceives the author in a more serious and professional matter. There are not enough awareness and programs. I think in my community, homelessness is addressed and people are moved into apartments foe needs but not as much as it should be.