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.
