In Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond examines the lives of eight Milwaukee families facing housing insecurity, exposing systemic poverty and economic exploitation, earning a Pulitzer Prize in 2016.
1.1 The Book’s Premise
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond delves into the lives of eight families in Milwaukee, chronicling their struggles with housing insecurity and eviction. The book explores how eviction perpetuates poverty, trapping families in a cycle of instability. Desmond examines the intersection of economic exploitation and housing inequality, revealing how landlords profit from vulnerable tenants. By blending intimate storytelling with rigorous research, he humanizes the statistics, offering a vivid portrayal of life on the margins. The premise underscores eviction as a cause, not just a symptom, of poverty, challenging readers to rethink housing as a fundamental human right. Desmond’s work exposes the systemic failures that perpetuate inequality in America’s cities.
1.2 Significance of the Study
Evicted is a landmark study that sheds light on the often-overlooked crisis of housing insecurity and eviction in America. By immersing himself in the lives of Milwaukee’s poorest residents, Matthew Desmond provides a deeply personal and data-driven exploration of how eviction perpetuates poverty and inequality. The book’s significance lies in its ability to humanize statistics, offering a nuanced understanding of the systemic issues driving housing instability. Desmond’s work has sparked critical policy discussions and public awareness, earning widespread acclaim for its rigorous research and emotional depth. It has become a pivotal text in conversations about economic justice, housing rights, and the need for systemic reform.
Author Background
Matthew Desmond is a renowned sociologist and Princeton University professor, known for his groundbreaking work on poverty and housing insecurity. His Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Evicted, showcases his expertise in urban ethnography and commitment to social justice, earning him a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and widespread acclaim for his nuanced exploration of economic inequality and its impact on American communities.
2.1 Matthew Desmond’s Academic Credentials
Matthew Desmond holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing his degree in 2010. He later joined Harvard University as a Junior Fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows, further solidifying his academic expertise. Currently, Desmond is a professor of sociology at Princeton University, where he continues to research and teach on issues of poverty, housing insecurity, and urban inequality. His academic credentials are bolstered by his MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and numerous awards for his groundbreaking work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Evicted. His rigorous ethnographic research and commitment to understanding societal inequities have established him as a leading voice in his field.
2.2 His Research and Awards
Matthew Desmond’s research focuses on poverty, housing insecurity, and urban inequality, as detailed in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Evicted. His work has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Carnegie Medal, and the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award. Desmond is also a MacArthur Fellow and has received the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award. His research has significantly influenced policy discussions on housing and poverty, earning him a place among the Politico 50, recognizing individuals shaping the national political debate. Desmond’s contributions have made him a prominent figure in both academic and public discourse on social inequality.
Key Themes
Evicted explores poverty, housing insecurity, and economic exploitation, highlighting how eviction perpetuates inequality and deepens poverty, while emphasizing the human cost of America’s housing crisis.
3.1 Poverty and Economic Exploitation
In Evicted, Matthew Desmond reveals how poverty and economic exploitation are deeply intertwined, with low-income families spending most of their income on rent, leaving little for necessities. Landlords often exploit tenants, knowing housing demand exceeds supply, leading to a cycle of eviction and deeper poverty. Desmond highlights how systemic issues, such as lack of affordable housing and weak tenant protections, perpetuate inequality. The book exposes how eviction is not just a result of poverty but a cause, trapping families in a vicious cycle. By examining the lives of Milwaukee’s poorest residents, Desmond illustrates how economic exploitation exacerbates poverty, making it nearly impossible to escape. His work earned the Pulitzer Prize for its profound insight into this critical issue.
3.2 Housing Insecurity and Eviction
Evicted sheds light on the pervasive issue of housing insecurity and its devastating consequences. Matthew Desmond illustrates how eviction has become a routine part of life for many low-income families, perpetuating a cycle of instability. Through the stories of Milwaukee residents, he reveals how the threat of eviction looms constantly, forcing families to make impossible choices between housing and basic necessities. Landlords often prioritize profits over tenant well-being, exacerbating the crisis. Desmond’s work highlights the emotional and financial toll of eviction, which disrupts communities and deepens inequality. His Pulitzer Prize-winning research underscores the urgent need to address housing insecurity as a critical social issue.
Research Methodology
Matthew Desmond employed an ethnographic approach, immersing himself in Milwaukee’s poorest neighborhoods for years, conducting extensive fieldwork and interviews to gather detailed insights into housing insecurity and eviction cycles.
4.1 Ethnographic Approach
Matthew Desmond’s ethnographic approach in Evicted involved deeply embedding himself within Milwaukee’s low-income communities. Over several years, he lived among tenants and landlords, observing daily struggles and decisions. This immersive method allowed him to capture the intricate dynamics of housing insecurity and eviction. By building trust and rapport, Desmond gathered raw, unfiltered narratives that humanized statistical data. His presence in trailer parks and inner-city units provided unparalleled access to the lives of those affected, offering a vivid, firsthand account of poverty’s complexities. This approach not only validated the experiences of his subjects but also highlighted the systemic issues driving housing instability in America;
4.2 Data Collection Methods
Matthew Desmond employed rigorous data collection methods in Evicted, combining embedded fieldwork, interviews, and statistical analysis. He spent years living in Milwaukee’s poorest neighborhoods, conducting hundreds of interviews with tenants, landlords, and social workers. Desmond also gathered extensive data from court records, eviction filings, and financial documents to quantify the scale of housing insecurity. His immersive approach allowed him to document daily struggles, while systematic data collection provided a broader context. This dual methodology ensured a comprehensive understanding of eviction’s impact, blending personal narratives with empirical evidence to create a nuanced portrayal of poverty and housing exploitation in America.
Main Characters
Arleen, a single mother, and Scott, a struggling addict, represent tenants’ plight, while Sherrena and Tobin, landlords, illustrate the economic dynamics of housing insecurity in Milwaukee.
5.1 Arleen and Her Family
Arleen, a single mother, is one of the central figures in Evicted, struggling to raise her children while navigating poverty and housing instability. Her story highlights the harsh realities of living on the margins, as she relies on welfare and faces constant threats of eviction. Desmond vividly portrays her resilience and the difficult choices she must make to survive, such as sacrificing basic needs for rent. Through Arleen’s journey, the book exposes the systemic failures that trap families in cycles of poverty, emphasizing how housing insecurity perpetuates inequality. Her narrative serves as a powerful illustration of the human cost of economic exploitation in America’s inner cities.
5.2 Scott and His Struggles
Scott, a former nurse turned heroin addict, is another pivotal character in Evicted, illustrating the intersection of addiction and housing insecurity. Once a successful professional, Scott’s life unravels due to his addiction, leading to eviction and homelessness. Desmond portrays Scott’s struggles with empathy, showing his attempts to rebuild his life despite systemic barriers. His story highlights the cyclical nature of poverty and addiction, as well as the lack of support systems for those battling both. Through Scott’s narrative, the book underscores the human cost of addiction and the challenges of recovery in the face of housing instability and economic hardship, offering a nuanced view of his resilience and vulnerability.
5.3 Sherrena and Tobin: The Landlords
Sherrena and Tobin are portrayed as landlords navigating the complexities of low-income housing in Evicted. Sherrena, a Black woman, owns multiple dilapidated properties, while Tobin manages a run-down trailer park. Desmond reveals their motivations, showing they are not heartless but operate within a system that prioritizes profit over tenant welfare. Sherrena justifies her strict policies as necessary for survival, while Tobin struggles with the moral implications of his role. Their stories humanize the landlords, illustrating the economic pressures they face and the ethical dilemmas inherent in their business. Through their narratives, Desmond exposes the flawed housing market and the difficult choices landlords and tenants alike must make in a system rigged against both parties.
Landlord-Tenant Dynamics
In Evicted, Matthew Desmond explores the power imbalance and economic exploitation inherent in landlord-tenant relationships, revealing how these dynamics perpetuate poverty and housing insecurity in America.
6.1 Power Imbalance
In Evicted, Matthew Desmond reveals a stark power imbalance between landlords and tenants, with landlords holding significant control over housing access and conditions. This dynamic often leads to exploitation, as tenants, desperate for shelter, accept substandard living conditions to avoid homelessness. Desmond highlights how landlords like Sherrena and Tobin profit from tenants’ vulnerability, perpetuating cycles of poverty. The imbalance is further exacerbated by limited legal protections for tenants and the scarcity of affordable housing, leaving many with no choice but to comply with unfair terms. This power disparity underscores the systemic inequities that trap low-income families in a cycle of instability and economic hardship.
6.2 Economic Motivations
In Evicted, economic motivations play a central role in the dynamics between landlords and tenants. Landlords like Sherrena and Tobin operate with a profit-driven mindset, often prioritizing financial gain over tenant well-being. Desmond illustrates how they exploit vulnerable tenants by charging exorbitant rents for substandard housing, knowing that alternatives are scarce. The landlords’ business models rely on maximizing income while minimizing costs, even if it means neglecting property maintenance or evicting tenants who fall behind on payments. This economic exploitation perpetuates poverty, as tenants are forced to spend disproportionate amounts of their income on housing, leaving little for other necessities. The pursuit of profit thus deepens inequality and instability in low-income communities.
Policy Analysis
Evicted highlights the failure of landlord registration programs and government agencies to address housing insecurity, often creating more tenant-landlord conflict rather than resolving systemic issues.
7.1 Landlord Registration Programs and Government Agencies
In Evicted, Matthew Desmond critiques the ineffective implementation of landlord registration programs in Milwaukee, which aimed to regulate substandard housing. Despite initial positive results, state-level interference, such as bans on these programs, undermined local efforts. Government agencies often resorted to code enforcement, which disproportionately penalized tenants and reinforced the power imbalance between landlords and renters. Desmond illustrates how these policies failed to address the root causes of housing insecurity, instead perpetuating a cycle of eviction and displacement. The book highlights the systemic failures of policy interventions, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive and tenant-centered approaches to housing reform.
Impact and Reception
Evicted won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award, praised for its profound insight into poverty and housing. It was named one of The New York Times’ best books, significantly influencing national conversations on housing reform and economic inequality.
8.1 Critical Acclaim
Evicted received widespread critical acclaim for its profound portrayal of housing insecurity and poverty. It won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Carnegie Medal, solidifying its impact. Critics praised Desmond’s vivid storytelling and meticulous research, with Barbara Ehrenreich calling it a “new standard for reporting on poverty.” The book was named one of The New York Times’ 100 best books of the 21st century, further cementing its legacy. Readers and scholars alike hailed it as a groundbreaking work, with many noting its ability to humanize systemic issues. Its emotional depth and academic rigor made it a pivotal read, sparking national conversations on housing reform and economic inequality.
8.2 Public and Policy Maker Response
Evicted sparked significant public and policy maker response, with many hailing it as a call to action. The book was praised by former President Barack Obama and featured on numerous “best of” lists, including The New York Times. Policymakers began reevaluating housing laws and eviction processes, inspired by Desmond’s findings. The book’s success led to the creation of The Eviction Lab, a national database tracking evictions. Desmond’s work influenced policy debates, emphasizing housing as a human right. Public discourse shifted, with increased awareness of housing insecurity’s role in perpetuating poverty. The book’s impact continues to drive advocacy for housing reform and social justice initiatives across the U.S.
Critical Reviews
Evicted received widespread acclaim for its insightful portrayal of poverty and economic exploitation, earning a Pulitzer Prize. Critics praised its vivid storytelling and sociological depth, though some found its tone condescending toward the homeless.
9.1 Positive Feedback
Evicted has received widespread acclaim for its vivid storytelling and sociological depth. Critics praise Matthew Desmond’s ability to weave statistics with personal narratives, making the book both eye-opening and impactful. Many reviewers highlight its role in changing the national conversation about poverty and housing insecurity. The book’s Pulitzer Prize win and inclusion on the New York Times’ list of 100 best books of the 21st century underscore its significance. Readers appreciate its accessible writing style, which balances academic rigor with emotional resonance. Desmond’s ethnographic approach is lauded for humanizing the struggles of Milwaukee’s poorest residents, offering a fresh perspective on systemic inequality. The book is often described as a “must-read” for understanding America’s housing crisis and its broader social implications.
9.2 Criticisms and Controversies
While Evicted has been widely praised, some critics argue that Matthew Desmond’s conclusions oversimplify complex issues. Marvin Olasky, for instance, criticized the book as “condescending” toward the homeless, suggesting it dismisses personal responsibility. Others argue that Desmond’s portrayal of landlords like Sherrena and Tobin is overly negative, ignoring the financial challenges they face. Some reviewers feel the book focuses too narrowly on eviction as a cause of poverty, rather than addressing broader systemic factors. Additionally, a few critics question the representativeness of Desmond’s Milwaukee-based study, arguing it may not fully capture the national housing crisis. Despite these criticisms, the book remains a powerful exploration of housing insecurity and its societal impact.
Comparisons with Other Works
Evicted is often compared to works like Savage Inequalities and Behind the Beautiful Forevers, as it similarly explores poverty and inequality, yet uniquely focuses on housing insecurity and eviction.
10.1 Similar Studies
Matthew Desmond’s Evicted draws comparisons to other seminal works on poverty and inequality, such as Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol and Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. These studies, like Evicted, delve into the systemic causes of poverty and the struggles of marginalized communities. While Kozol focuses on educational disparities and Boo explores life in a Mumbai slum, Desmond’s work uniquely centers on housing insecurity and eviction. All three books share a commitment to immersive storytelling, blending detailed narratives with rigorous research. Desmond’s approach, however, stands out for its focus on the eviction crisis and its role in perpetuating poverty. His work has been praised for its ability to humanize statistics, much like these other influential studies. Together, they form a critical body of literature on inequality and social justice.
10.2 Literary Comparisons
Matthew Desmond’s Evicted is often compared to the works of Charles Dickens for its vivid portrayal of poverty and inequality. Critics praise Desmond’s ability to weave compelling narratives, akin to Dickens’s character-driven storytelling. The book’s immersive style, blending detailed research with personal stories, has drawn comparisons to other literary giants like Barbara Ehrenreich and Jesmyn Ward. Desmond’s prose is described as both haunting and hopeful, capturing the resilience of his subjects while exposing systemic injustices. The emotional depth and moral urgency of Evicted have solidified its place alongside classic works of social justice literature, making it a modern masterpiece in the genre.
Matthew Desmond’s Evicted reveals the devastating cycle of eviction, perpetuating poverty, and advocates for systemic reform, emphasizing housing as a fundamental human right.
11.1 Summary of Findings
Matthew Desmond’s Evicted reveals the profound impact of eviction on perpetuating poverty and inequality in America. Through ethnographic research in Milwaukee, Desmond documents the lives of eight families, exposing how eviction deepens economic hardship and instability. The book highlights the exploitative practices of landlords and the systemic failures that trap low-income individuals in a cycle of displacement. Desmond’s findings underscore the urgent need for housing reform, advocating for policies that recognize housing as a human right. His work has garnered widespread acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of poverty and its call to action for systemic change.
11.2 Call to Action
Matthew Desmond’s Evicted concludes with a powerful call to action, urging policymakers and society to recognize housing as a fundamental human right. He advocates for comprehensive reforms, including rent control, legal aid for tenants, and increased funding for affordable housing. Desmond emphasizes the need to address the root causes of eviction, such as poverty and inequality, through systemic change. His work challenges readers to engage in efforts to dismantle exploitative housing practices and support vulnerable communities. By fostering a national conversation, Desmond hopes to inspire collective action toward creating a more equitable society where housing insecurity is no longer a defining issue.