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meemabeema's review against another edition
4.0
Kinda long coulda been shorter the first two chapters were useful
sirgrumpsalot's review against another edition
3.0
Would give it more like 3.5*
Pretty clear analysis, but would have loved to see more solid policy proposals. Subverting the current housing system requires actual steps that can be taken by governments at any level, and the more concrete the steps are the easier it is to pressure officials to adopt them.
The chapter on the history of housing policy in NYC was interesting, but some might want to skip it since it is very specific to NYC, and might not be of interest to someone that does not care about NYC.
Like plenty of left-wing analyses, gives you plenty of arguments against the current system, but lacks a positive argument for the alternative. But critique of the current system is done pretty well.
Pretty clear analysis, but would have loved to see more solid policy proposals. Subverting the current housing system requires actual steps that can be taken by governments at any level, and the more concrete the steps are the easier it is to pressure officials to adopt them.
The chapter on the history of housing policy in NYC was interesting, but some might want to skip it since it is very specific to NYC, and might not be of interest to someone that does not care about NYC.
Like plenty of left-wing analyses, gives you plenty of arguments against the current system, but lacks a positive argument for the alternative. But critique of the current system is done pretty well.
pattytims's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
ethorwitz's review against another edition
2.0
A disappointment. An unfocused collage of New York housing rights movements and the negative psychological effects of homelessness marketed as the definitive manifesto of the universal housing guarantee. What it does go into it doesn't do so enough, giving only a cursory overview. The good stuff, the prescription, the way forward, is crammed at the end. If someone could please recommend me a book on public housing with vision I'm all ears.
lizmart88's review against another edition
3.0
This book blends theory and action, with more emphasis on history and theory. It outlines how we got to the housing situation we are in nationally, showing the privatization of housing and how corporate interests began to trump public good.
The book is focused on NYC and most examples are drawn from there, but it also encompasses most of the cities in America. It doesn't have too much relevance for rural areas since the issues are often different.
Definitely an eye opening read challenging why housing shouldn't be set up the way 21st cities do. It also challenged me to think bigger about solutions. He outlined three types of reforms: efficiency reforms, system reforms, and transformative reforms. We need to fight for the last kind that will change the entire system.
His main point is that housing is not used as real estate and to further corporate and individual profits rather than as a place to live. Is this the best solution for the majority of our residents? Or is just good for the rich?
Also, he quotes widely from Marx and communist theory! Definitely a socialist /communist bent, but within a framework of capitalism.
The book is focused on NYC and most examples are drawn from there, but it also encompasses most of the cities in America. It doesn't have too much relevance for rural areas since the issues are often different.
Definitely an eye opening read challenging why housing shouldn't be set up the way 21st cities do. It also challenged me to think bigger about solutions. He outlined three types of reforms: efficiency reforms, system reforms, and transformative reforms. We need to fight for the last kind that will change the entire system.
His main point is that housing is not used as real estate and to further corporate and individual profits rather than as a place to live. Is this the best solution for the majority of our residents? Or is just good for the rich?
Also, he quotes widely from Marx and communist theory! Definitely a socialist /communist bent, but within a framework of capitalism.