I Study Homelessness. I Wish More Places Looked Like This Shelter.

In this audio essay, the sociologist Matthew Desmond interviews a resident of the Water Street Mission shelter in Lancaster, Pa., about what makes it so unique. “Here’s a place that is treating people in their full humanity,” Mr. Desmond says. “It’s looking past their hardships, past their addictions, past their homelessness to see people’s promise, to see people’s beauty. And wouldn’t it be amazing if that was the norm instead of the exception.”

Below is a lightly edited transcript of the interview. To listen to this piece, select the play button below.

I Study Homelessness. I Wish More Places Looked Like This Shelter.

Matthew Desmond takes you to a shelter designed with residents in mind.

Matthew Desmond: My name is Matthew Desmond. I’m a writer and a sociologist at Princeton University.

I research and report on poverty in America. That work has taken me to a number of homeless shelters across the United States. Shelters housed in decommissioned military bases, old hotels, church basements, you name it.

Homeless shelters are a vital part of the safety net. But they have a mixed reputation, I think it’s fair to say. Some are thought to be too strict, others too lenient. I wanted to hear from shelter residents themselves. So last year I visited Water Street Mission in Lancaster, Pa.

Water Street Mission is housed in an old cotton mill. It’s this kind of giant brick complex. There are places to sleep. But they also have family rooms. They have kids’ play spaces. And importantly, there’s a medical wing where people can receive medical care, psychological care and even dental care during their stay at Water Street.