10 Must-Reads

by Shannon Moriarty

Published October 06, 2008 @ 07:04AM PT

Whether you're a morning paper person, a bookworm, or a blog junkie, there is plenty of enlightening material about homelessness for you to consume. Happy reading!

1. Street Newspapers

In Chicago it's Street Wise, Bostonians have Spare Change, and San Francisco has Street Sheet. Over 40 street newspapers are published across the US and Canada. Oftentimes, these newspapers address issues related to homelessness and poverty and are sold by poor or homeless vendors. Typically, the self-employed street vendors keep a large portion of the newspaper cost (usually $1). Find out if your community publishes a street newspaper... and start supporting your local street vendor today!

2. The Homeless Guy Blog

Kevin Barbieux has been chronically homeless since the age of 21.  On his blog, he provides candid commentary on his personal struggles, trends in the field of homelessness, and the world in general.  According the header of this blog: "There is more to homeless people than being homeless." Here's an excerpt:

When people ask me, "What's it like to be homeless?" I cringe - mostly because it's a thoughtless question. If anyone would take even a moment to think about it, they would come to the conclusion that homelessness sucks. They certainly don't need me to tell them that.

3. Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women by Elliot Liebow

Through an anthropologist's eyes, this book paints a very real picture of homeless women in shelters throughout Washington, DC as they struggle to find work, shelter, and dignity.  After such an intimate portrayal of these women's experiences, you can't help but agree with the author's conclusion: "homeless people are homeless because they do not have a place to live."

4. Five Fundamentals to Prevent & End Homelessness

Read this toolkit to become a better-informed advocate for the homeless. This report, published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, clearly lays out five steps policy-makers and advocates can take at the local level to end homelessness. In addition to the report, this toolkit also provides sample letters, press releases, and action alerts.

5. Finding Grace: The Face of America's Homeless by Lynn Blodgett

For those who have difficulty envisioning the estimated 672,000 homeless people in America,  Blodgett's stunning, powerful portraits will help to humanize some of our country's homeless. According to the introduction by Danny Glover, these images forces the reader to confront their "pain, dignity, innocence and sadness."

6. LA's Homeless Blog

Joel John Roberts brings a nonprofit CEO's perspective to the discussion of homelessness on his popular blog. As an innovator in the field, he provides entertaining and informative commentary on issues affecting the homeless in LA and across the country.

7. Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street, U.S.A.

Since 2002, the number of crimes against the homeless has increased by 281%. During this time, deaths among homeless people have also risen by 67%. This report, published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, examines hate crimes and violence against the homeless in an effort to bring these detestable acts into the public discourse.   

8. The Working Poor: Invisible In America by David K. Shipler

Prepare for everything you think and know about poverty to be challenged. Shipler thoroughly examines the problems of the working poor in America and then offers pointed recommendations for change. According to Publisher's Weekly, "This guided and very personal tour through the lives of the working poor shatters the myth that America is a country in which prosperity and security are the inevitable rewards of gainful employment."

9. Street Roots Blog

If you haven't bookmarked Street Roots yet, do it... now. As the blog of Portland, Oregon's street newspaper, it contains many of the stories on poverty and homelessness published in the print edition (for those of us who can't pick up a copy of Street Roots) but with plenty of additional informative, compelling content.

10. Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America by Jonathan Kozol

As the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, we must understand the issues affecting homeless families if we really wish to end homelessness in America. This highly readable book features conversations with homeless families and insight into their personal stories and struggles. This book will make you feel uncomfortable, disturbed, and compelled to  create change.