"Beyond Homeless is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the truth of why cities created incentives, and removed consequences, for some of society’s most vulnerable mentally ill people to suffer and die on the streets."
Description
Entire neighborhoods in cities across the United States have become open-air asylums, drug markets, and impoverished wastelands—where death, misery, crime, addiction, encampments, fires, disease, and even human waste aren't just tolerated but normalized. How is this possible when billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled into homelessness initiatives such as "Housing First"?
The truth is that the money poured into this issue from taxpayers, non-profits, and private charities alike has mostly made homelessness worse overall. And governments' failures haven't just wasted taxpayer dollars—it has cost lives and undermined human dignity.
This isn't just incompetence.
It's immoral and unjust.
And it must end.
In Beyond Homeless: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes, Transformative Solutions, Mary L. G. Theroux, Lawrence J. McQuillan, Adam B. Summers, and other scholars present a better approach rooted in proven solutions. This groundbreaking new book, based on years of research, is exactly what's needed to address the crisis.
With forewords from acclaimed addiction medicine specialist and TV host Dr. Drew Pinsky, and licensed master social worker Scott Ackerson, the book gathers experts on every aspect of homelessness to present a stirring condemnation of the status quo—and an inspiring vision for the future. Drawing on real-life stories, cutting-edge research, and alternative programs with metric-driven successes, they make the case for individualized, holistic interventions that actually work.
Discover:
- How "Housing First" initiatives have become governments’ default response to homelessness—and why they fail
- Why permanent supportive housing (PSH) isn't just ineffective but dangerous
- How political interests fuel the homelessness-industrial complex resulting in ever-increasing spending while falling further behind
- The inspiring success of real alternatives such as Haven for Hope in Texas and Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles
- Policy changes that would truly ease the crisis for the unhoused and housed alike—without breaking the bank
- The difference between responsible and irresponsible forms of harm reduction
- And much, much more…
At the heart of this crisis are real people—those experiencing homelessness and the residents who see their neighborhoods crumble. Both have paid a high price for failed policies. Both deserve better.
The good news? We can do better. Beyond Homeless: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes, Transformative Solutions shows us how.
Reviews
"Beyond Homeless should demonstrate to those few remaining doubters that America cannot tackle homelessness without confronting pervasive substance abuse and untreated mental illness. Although housing will always be part of the solution, this book shows how the current 'Housing First' model neglects the real root causes of chronic homelessness and encourages more irresponsibility and substance abuse. With an impressive array of scholars and data, Beyond Homeless should be essential reading for those curious about how to change course on homelessness."
"I have learned a great deal by watching Mary Theroux through the years, and I highly recommend this excellent evidence-based and -filled book."
"A must-read for everyone frustrated by America’s homelessness crisis. Solutions exist, and Beyond Homeless lays out the blueprint for communities to implement. What are we waiting for?"
