Skip to content

Becomes Quote by Matthew Desmond

“When you meet people who are spending 70, 80 percent of their income on rent, eviction becomes much more of an inevitability than the result of personal irresponsibility.” quote by Matthew Desmond
Download Open image
“When you meet people who are spending 70, 80 percent of their income on rent, eviction becomes much more of an inevitability than the result of personal irresponsibility.”

Matthew Desmond

About This Quote

Source Book: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, 2016

Housing cost burdens make eviction a structural issue, not merely personal failure.

In simple terms: High rent leads to eviction.

Key Takeaway

Address affordable housing and income inequality.

Themes

housing poverty economics policy social justice

Mood

concerned urgent empathetic

Type

sociological economic policy

When to use this quote

  • policy reform
  • tenant advocacy
  • community support
  • financial counseling

Key Concepts

rent burden eviction cycle income inequality urban policy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What policies could reduce rent burdens?
  • How can communities support at‑risk renters?
A Different Perspective

Market forces alone cannot solve housing crises.

4.7 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Matthew Desmond

Explore all 230 Matthew Desmond quotes

More Becomes quotes

Browse all 1,096 Becomes quotes