This book investigates the multifaceted nature of homelessness within developing nations to determine its primary causes and the efficacy of current social interventions. A. Graham Tipple utilizes a comprehensive review of existing literature alongside original empirical research to construct a framework for understanding urban poverty. By analyzing the intersection of housing policy, social planning, and the lived experiences of marginalized populations, the author challenges prevailing assumptions regarding the scale and characteristics of homelessness in the global south.

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for students and practitioners in the fields of social policy and urban development. Readers frequently note the academic rigor and the practical utility of the case studies provided in the text.