Podcast Summary: The Stacks, Ep. 368 - "The Homelessness Myth Doesn’t Match Reality" with Brian Goldstone

Release Date: April 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 368 of The Stacks, host Traci Thomas engages in a profound conversation with Brian Goldstone, a respected journalist and author of the recent book, There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. This episode delves deep into the often-misunderstood realities of homelessness in the United States, particularly focusing on the phenomenon of the "working homeless."

Brian Goldstone and His Book

Brian Goldstone introduces his book, which explores the lives of individuals and families who, despite holding full-time jobs, struggle to afford permanent housing. By following five families in Atlanta over two years, Goldstone uncovers the systemic issues that drive people into homelessness, challenging prevailing narratives and shedding light on a hidden crisis.

Notable Quote:

[01:04] Brian Goldstone: "There is no city or county in the entire United States of America where someone earning the local minimum wage can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment."

Defining Homelessness

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the definition of homelessness. Goldstone distinguishes between "literal homelessness" (living on the streets or in shelters) and the broader experience of housing insecurity experienced by working individuals who may stay in extended-stay hotels, with family, or in other temporary accommodations.

Notable Quote:

[08:22] Brian Goldstone: "No single person answered with housing... housing was missing from the conversation entirely."

Historical Context and Policy

Goldstone provides a historical overview, tracing the roots of mass homelessness in America back to the 1980s under the Reagan administration. He highlights how the administration deliberately shaped public perception, attributing homelessness to personal failings like mental illness and addiction rather than systemic issues like housing affordability and policy failures.

Notable Quote:

[09:28] Brian Goldstone: "Reagan's administration... made a concerted attempt... to shape the public perception... making people believe that homelessness was the product of mental illness and addiction."

Researching and Building the Book

Goldstone shares his rigorous process of researching and selecting the families featured in his book. He emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships and the challenges of gaining trust from individuals facing acute hardships. The discovery that the working homeless are largely overlooked in official counts motivated him to give visibility to their stories.

Notable Quote:

[20:15] Brian Goldstone: "This is not specific to a handful of cities. It's a nationwide phenomenon... the sprawling tent encampments... are only the tip of the iceberg."

Ethical Considerations

The conversation delves into the ethical dilemmas Goldstone faced while interacting with the homeless families. Balancing his role as a journalist with his desire to provide immediate assistance posed significant challenges, leading to difficult decisions about when and how to help without compromising his research integrity.

Notable Quote:

[30:21] Brian Goldstone: "It's incredibly hard... Any reporter, researcher, journalist who is writing about people who are struggling in this way... is not kept up at night by this question."

Choosing the Title

The book's title, There Is No Place for Us, originates from a poignant statement by one of the mothers featured in the narrative. Goldstone discusses the significance of the title, emphasizing its authenticity and the reflection of the families' voices rather than an externally imposed perspective.

Notable Quote:

[45:55] Brian Goldstone: "I was actually brainstorming the ideas for the chapter with my wife and I had that quote in my notes and I said it out loud and I was like, I wonder if that could work. That's the title of the book."

Representation and Diversity

Addressing questions about the homogeneity of the families featured in his book, Goldstone explains that while he initially aimed for demographic diversity, the reality of Atlanta's homeless population predominantly comprises Black families. He underscores the importance of representing the true demographic makeup to provide an accurate portrayal of homelessness.

Notable Quote:

[47:42] Brian Goldstone: "93% of the families experiencing homelessness in Atlanta are black... This didn't just emerge over the last few years... the racialized dimension is super important."

Challenges Faced

Goldstone recounts various obstacles encountered during his research, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual cancellation of his book launch event due to DEI-related issues. These challenges underscore the fraught landscape journalists navigate when addressing sensitive social issues.

Notable Quote:

[60:51] Brian Goldstone: "If a book about housing insecurity and homelessness is now deemed subversive or threatening, it just underscores the urgency of having that conversation."

Solutions and Hope: Social Housing

Towards the end of the episode, Goldstone shifts the discussion to potential solutions for the homelessness crisis. He advocates for social housing, drawing examples from countries like Finland and Austria, where housing is treated as a fundamental human right rather than a commodity. He emphasizes the need for massive public investment to ensure stable and affordable housing for all.

Notable Quote:

[56:44] Brian Goldstone: "My hope lies in social housing... it's about housing treated as a basic human necessity, funded accordingly."

Recommendations and Further Reading

Goldstone recommends several books that align with the themes of his work, offering listeners avenues to deepen their understanding of homelessness and housing policies.

Books Recommended:

• Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc
• Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
• Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott
• Evicted by Matthew Desmond
• We Were Once a Family by Roxanna Asgardian
• Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

Notable Quote:

[63:16] Brian Goldstone: "These are all writers who... have narrative ambition and writerly ambition, but who are also deeply connected to a kind of moral and political sensibility."

Closing Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, Goldstone expresses his desire for readers to feel outraged and motivated to demand systemic change. He emphasizes that meaningful progress will emerge not just from top-down policies but from grassroots movements advocating for the rights and dignity of the homeless.

Notable Quote:

[64:48] Brian Goldstone: "I just want the people listening to this to read the book... and I want them to be so angry that they start caring about their neighbors who are experiencing this and demanding... policy change."

Conclusion

Episode 368 of The Stacks offers a compelling exploration of homelessness beyond the commonly perceived narratives. Through Brian Goldstone's insightful research and heartfelt storytelling, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the systemic failures contributing to housing insecurity and the urgent need for comprehensive social solutions.

Links and Further Information:

• Visit www.thestackspodcast.com for more details and upcoming book club picks.
• Support the podcast through Patreon or subscribe to Tracy Thomas's Substack newsletter.