The major theme in this book is that people are homeless because of structural arrangements and trends that result in extreme impoverishment and a shortage of affordable housing in U.S. cities. It explains the economic and historical causes of homelessness with accounts of individuals and families.

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS: Preface Part I: POVERTY IN THE UNITED STATES Poverty in the United States and the Sociological Imagination The Extent and Distribution of Poverty in the United States The Sociological Imagination Notes and Suggestions for Further Reading Part II: THEORIES OF POVERTY: WHY ARE THE POOR POOR? Chapter 1: Theories of Poverty: Who or What Is to Blame for Poverty? Jackie Spinks: Poverty or At Home in a Car Steven VanderStaay: The Armstrongs: An Oral History of a Homeless American Family Nikkie Thompson: Feeling Trapped Robert D. Bullard: No 40 Acres and a Mule: An Interview with a Displaced Black Farmer Brian K. Fair: Notes of a Racial Caste Baby Part III: POVERTY AND VULNERABILITY Chapter 2: One Step Away Ron Kovic: A Veteran Speaks of the Forgotten Wounded of Iraq Janis Johnston: On the Margins: The Lack of Resources and the Lack of Health Care Emma Dixon: Personal Voices: An Unnatural Disaster Sharon Hays: The Domino Effect Part IV: LIVING ON THE ECONOMIC MARGINS Chapter 3: Survival and Finances Susan Sheehan: Ain't No Middle Class David K. Shipler: The Working Poor Chapter 4: Discrimination/Racism/Stigma Robin Rogers-Dillon: The Dynamics of Welfare Stigma Allan Berube with Florence Berube: Sunset Trailer Park Toby F. Sonneman: Migrants and the Community Charlie LeDuf: At a Slaughterhous Chapter 5: Parenting in Poverty Tamicia Rush: The Empty Christmas Steven VanderStaay: Karla Greg Halpern: Vinela Tejada: Custodian, Vanderbilt Hall, Harvard Medical School Part V: THE IMPACT OF SOCIETAL INSTITUTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL LIVES Chapter 6: Housing/Homeless Shelters/Neighborhoods Bobby Burns: Shelter Susan J. Popkin, Victoria E. Gwiasda, Lynn M. Olson, Dennis P. Rosenbaum, and Larry Buron: The Residents of Rockwell Gardens Chapter 7: The Welfare System Jason DeParle: Money: Milwaukee, Summer 1999 Alejandra Marchevsky and Jeanne Theoharis: Trapped in the Double-Bind of Welfare Chapter 8: Schools and Schooling Delphia Boykin: Seventh Grade Disaster Luis Rodriguez: Always Running Chapter 9: Work and Working Toby F. Sonneman: Looking for Work, Waiting for Work An Interview with Linda Lord: Chicken Run Lisa Liu: The Story of a Garment Worke Greg Halpern: Frank Morley: Custodian, Littauer Center for Public Administration Part VI: INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE AGENCY AND EMPOWERMENT Chapter 10: Changes from the Bottom Up Hazel Johnson: Surviving Chicago's Toxic Doughnut Dottie Stevens: Welfare Rights Organizing Saved My Life David Bacon: Josefina Flores: A Veteran of the War in the Fields David Swanson: How Predatory Lending Victims Fought Back and Won