Suggested Readings
This is a list of articles, podcasts, movies, books, and more that have inspired us at the Accessing Home to work in the nonprofit sector. If you have any materials you would like to add to the list, please send them to Mecca at .
The Guardian, Web Article: “Poor People Don’t Plan Long-term; We’ll Just Get Our Hearts Broken”
NeighborWorks “Eviction Prevention Best Practices”, PDF:
This American Life, Podcast, House Rules: “Where you live is important. It can dictate quality of schools and hospitals, as well as things like cancer rates, unemployment, or whether the city repairs roads in your neighborhood. On this week's show, stories about destiny by address.” ep.512
Documentary about America’s War on Drugs, The House I live In, Film: For the past 40 years, the war on drugs has resulted in more than 45 million arrests, $1 trillion dollars in government spending, and America’s role as the world’s largest jailer. Yet for all that, drugs are cheaper, purer, and more available than ever. The House I Live Incaptures heart-wrenching stories of those on the front lines — from the dealer to the grieving mother, the narcotics officer to the senator, the inmate to the federal judge — and offers a penetrating look at the profound human rights implications of America’s longest war
Trailer
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Excerpt: “Based on years of fieldwork and data, this masterful book transforms our understanding of extreme poverty and economic exploitation, while providing fresh ideas for solving a devastating, uniquely American problem. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible.”
The New York Times, “Mapping America: Every City, Every Block”, Data Map: What does poverty look like in your neighborhood? This website allows you to look at Census data at a neighborhood level.
Family Budget Calculator, Tool: This resource looks at how much a family needs to get by in your community. For the type of family you enter — for example, one parent and two children — you’ll learn how much a family needs to spend for basic necessities. This total is converted to an annual amount, which indicates how much income a family needs to make ends meet