The Visible Poor: Homelessness in the United States - Softcover

Blau, Joel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195083539 ISBN 13: 9780195083538

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1993

Synopsis

Taking an in-depth look at the causes of homelessness in the U.S., Blau debunks the convenient myths that most homeless are crazy, drug addicts, or lazy misfits who brought their suffering upon themselves. He argues that current government policies at every level are mired in pointless headcounting and quick-fix solutions that don't deal with the underlying causes.

About this title

About the Author

Joel Blau is Assistant Professor, School of Social Welfare, State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Review

"Blau is an exemplary member of a group of scholars who are reclaiming the study of social policy from compartmentalization of both subject and method....This is a book that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every political scientist with a primary or even occasional interest in the
dynamics of health policy....More important, this book should become part of the general knowledge of people who want to acknowledge the benefits that flowed for twenty-five years from 'health services research' and who now want to move on to take account of race, class, gender, and greed in
studying health policy."--Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law

"Blau's book is bound to contribute to a better understanding of the problem of homelessness. That in itself is a step toward solution."--The Threepenny Review

"Blau's book adds significantly to the growing literature on the contemporary homeless in America."--American Journal of Sociology

"An important contribution to the homelessness debate....An excellent account, offering a thorough analysis of homelessness. The book is well structured, with broad general discussion supported by detailed case study material, and can be recommended to all who are interested in the wider
issues underlying contemporary homelessness."--Housing Studies

"This illuminating work makes sense of the grim changes overtaking American society, incisively tracing the evolution of U.S. homelessness over the last 20 years."--Publishers Weekly

"This is the best overall book available on the subject of homelessness. It is indispensable for scholars, policy makers, public officials, and serious students. It is the book we will all put on our reading lists in courses on social problems and social policy."--Alfred J. Kahn, Professor
(Emeritus), The Columbia University School of Social Work

"Joel Blau's work The Visible Poor combines the best of public policy analysis with a commitment to the poor in America. I will assign it to future Political Science classes when I go back to teaching and do my beset to assign it now to every United States Senator."--Senator Paul
Wellstone

"The Visible Poor offers a comprehensive look at one of America's most blatant social injustices. Providing a much-needed context, this book takes a broad perspective, analyzing homelessness as a social problem rather than an individual aberration.... Illuminates the socio-political causes of
homelessness, while also persuasively arguing for broad-based remedial policies....Thoughtful and provocative."--Maria Foscarinis, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

"[Blau] provides a comprehensive and fresh analysis of the complex causes of homelessness, and a detailed set of recommendations about how to address it. What he proposes is entirely consistnet with the adopted policies of The U.S. Conference of Mayors."--U.S. Mayor Conference
Newsletter

"This book is intended for the intelligent lay reader as well as for professionals from a wide range of mental health specialties. The author is a social policy advocate who not only documents the scope and context of the homelessness problem but also has the courage to offer a solution that
will not make him popular in conservative circles." --Readings

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0195083539
• ISBN 13: 9780195083538
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256