The Economist

Many commentators argue that the diminishing supply of single-room-occupancy (SRO) units—modest one-room apartments with low rents—has led to an increase in homelessness. In the following viewpoint, The Economist, a weekly political magazine, maintains that new SRO developments offer a safe, inexpensive housing option for the homeless. A New York City SRO development, which allocates half of the units to the extremely poor and half to low-income working families, has proven a success.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How is the city of New York helping nonprofit agencies create new SROs, as stated by the author?
2. What evidence does the author provide that SROs are cheaper than the alternatives?
3. According to The Economist, what are the benefits of mixed-income housing?

If it seems at first glance that the hall...