Armbruster 1

Zoe Armbruster
Ms. Stinnett
English12- Period1
21 September 2016
Annotated Bibliography: The Wage on Homeless
Research Question: Does minimum wage contribute to homelessness?
Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By In America. New York, NY, Henry
Holt and Company, 2001.
Summary: Author, Barbara Ehrenreich, writes about her personal struggles and unforgettable
experiences as she took on the role of living with a minimum-wage income. Ehrenreich shares
that she lived just like thousands of other people do, in order to spread awareness and change
towards the minimum-wage issue. Over the course of her experiment, Barbara met several
people, whom all had similar issues in regards to their unstable state of employment. She recalls
that many of her co-workers carry only one source of income at minimum-wage rates and
struggle to survive. Barbara strictly argues throughout her book, that minimum-wage jobs are far
from being minimum-skilled. Both Barbara and her co-workers work every day on minimumwage, and their lives demonstrate how minimum-wage does not begin to defeat unaffordable
living and housing in America.
Evaluation: Nickle and Dimed puts together all the elements of a minimum-wage income. The
author describes in every detail her challenges when under these circumstances. Although, the
topic of homelessness is never experienced by the author, unaffordable housing is addressed and

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Barbara discusses this as she sees it first-hand. As this is a personal narrative, bias does exist, and
is expressed. The book gives a real insight into the life of low-income families, which cannot
compare reading an internet article. Barbara serves to tell her story by addressing real world
problems that need attention. Her book moved to the idea that a connection between minimumwage and homelessness might exist.
Glasser, Irene. Homeless Families. Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family. Global issues in
context. 2003. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.
Summary: Overall this source focuses on homelessness within families. It gives critical insights
and statistics on the lives of parents who struggle for themselves and their children. There is a
large focus on the causes, prevalence, and adaptations to family homelessness. This source
proves that the loss of a job or having a low-income is a top cause to homelessness. It is
mentioned that one individual must work at least 80 hours a week (in 2003) in order to afford a
two-bedroom apartment. Along with other sources, Glasser speaks on the thousands of shelters
that house many homeless families. However, these types of organizations cannot save families
when minimum wage jobs cant either.
Evaluation: This source supports the idea that minimum wage cannot allow families to survive
easily in todays high cost of living. There is no doubt the author presents an unbiased viewpoint.
Irene Glasser manages to keep his opinions out of his writing and only serves to inform on all
aspects of homelessness. The author continues to site many different truths on homelessness
throughout the article. The data/statistics prove the reliability of this source and the authors
dedication to the topic. The source is very easy to read, as it is organized into many sections,
which all discuss different subjects related to family homelessness. However, all sections draw

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attention towards the lack of affordable living and housing. This strategy keeps the main
connection between homelessness and unaffordable prices prevalent throughout the whole
article.
Homeless numbers increase in survey: Austin-area tally of shelter less grows for the first time in
five years. Austin American-Statesman. 10 March 2016. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.
Summary: This source highlights the 20% increase in the amount of homeless specifically in
Austin, Texas. Research proves that for the first time since 2012, the numbers of homeless
individuals have been increasing and will continue. The economy does not support or allow
enough of what low-income people need. Executive director Ann Howard describes that the
population growth in Texas contributes to the affordability crisis of housing, which is the central
cause for homelessness within the state.
Evaluation: This article provides much background information regarding how homelessness
affects a community and an entire state. The author focuses on the lack of affordable housing
being the major cause of homelessness, next to substance abuse and unemployment. The authors
purpose is to draw awareness to the increasing number of homeless. The author also wants
readers to recognize the issue of homelessness around them, and form a movement or persuade
others in supporting homeless individuals. This source is very reliable as it sites statistics and
personal references. It also pinpoints that the economy will continue to provide more
unaffordable living prices. This idea sways to portray the economy as the antagonist of the
article and the enemy to homelessness. Evidence within the article answers the question and
proves that minimum wage across America cannot support an individual, let alone support an
entire family.