The American Dream has long been associated with opportunity and success, but for many working and homeless individuals in today’s society, that dream seems to be slipping further and further out of reach. In his thought-provoking article, “The Housing Hunger Games,” author Brian Goldstone shines a light on the harsh reality of precarity and how it has become a profitable industry in America.
Precarity, or the state of being insecurely employed or without reliable income, has become a common experience for millions of Americans. With the rise of gig economy jobs and the decline of stable, well-paying jobs, more and more people are living paycheck to paycheck, constantly on the brink of financial instability. Goldstone points out that this precarity has not only affected individuals, but has also become a lucrative business for those who exploit it.
One of the most glaring examples of this is the housing market. As the cost of living continues to rise and wages remain stagnant, many individuals and families struggle to afford adequate housing. This has led to a rise in homelessness, with an estimated 553,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States. But instead of addressing this issue and finding solutions, the housing industry has capitalized on it.
Goldstone highlights the “Housing Hunger Games” that have emerged, where low-income individuals and families are pitted against each other in a competition for affordable housing. Landlords and property owners take advantage of the high demand for affordable housing by charging exorbitant rents, often well above what the property is worth. As a result, many low-income individuals are forced to live in substandard and overcrowded conditions, or even become homeless.
This housing crisis is not limited to just major cities. Goldstone discusses the case of Fresno, California, a city in the heart of the agricultural industry, where the housing market has been transformed into a “landlord’s paradise.” Landlords there have taken advantage of the large influx of low-wage workers and charged exorbitant rents for dilapidated and overcrowded housing. This has led to a cycle of poverty and exploitation, where individuals work tirelessly for low wages only to see a significant portion of their income go towards housing.
But it’s not just the housing industry that profits from precarity. Goldstone also focuses on the rise of the “corporate welfare state,” where large corporations receive tax breaks and subsidies while their low-wage workers struggle to make ends meet. This not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty and precarity, but it also shifts the burden onto taxpayers to fund programs such as food stamps and housing assistance for these struggling individuals.
The American Dream was built on the promise of hard work and opportunity, but for many, that dream has turned into a nightmare of struggling to survive. Goldstone’s article serves as a wake-up call to the realities of precarity in America and how it has become a profitable industry for those in power. But it also serves as a call to action, urging readers to demand change and hold those in power accountable for perpetuating this cycle of poverty.
We must address the root causes of precarity, including the lack of well-paying jobs and the unaffordability of basic necessities such as housing. We must also demand that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, rather than shifting the burden onto struggling individuals and families. And most importantly, we must come together as a society to support and uplift those who are most vulnerable to the effects of precarity.
In conclusion, Goldstone’s article sheds light on the disturbing reality of precarity and the profit that it brings to those in power. But it also serves as a call to action for readers to stand up for the rights of working and homeless individuals and demand systemic change. Let us work towards a society where the American Dream is attainable for all, not just a select few.
