The worst of the housing problem: Homelessness

As we try to understand the growing problem of homelessness, many people quite naturally look at the homeless themselves and wonder what caused them to fall into this situation. Was it an addiction, mental illness, unemployment, poverty, or some other characteristic that caused this problem? Scholars Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern, studied this question in detail and recently published their results in a fascinating new book, HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM. The authors' approach to homelessness is national in scope and analyzes possible explanations both individual and structural. It is very well researched with adequate statistical support for their conclusions. They ask such provocative questions as why is it that wealthy cities such as San Francisco and Seattle have much higher rates of homelessness than poorer cities such as Chicago and Detroit. No, the obvious answer (weather) does not hold up under scrutiny.

The South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee has selected this book for our annual book discussion on Tuesday, April 30th from 7:00 to 8:00 in the South Burlington Public Library. It is being sponsored by the Affordable Housing Committee and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity in collaboration with the Library. Copies of the book are available at the Library courtesy of CVOEO. Jess Hyman of the CVOEO and Sociologist Vince Bolduc of the AHC will lead the discussion. Please join us for what promises to be an excellent conversation.

By the way, don't be intimidated by the graphs as each one is adequately explained in the narrative. Our discussion will focus on the last chapter which provides the authors' suggestions for tackling the problem.

Questions about this program may be directed to the Library at 802-846-4140.

Event Info

Nov 27, 2024, 10 to 11 AM

Dec 1, 2024, 5 to 7 PM

Dec 3, 2024, 5 to 8 PM