Matthew Desmond

Date of Birth: October 11, 1979

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Matthew Desmond is an American sociologist and urban ethnographer known for his groundbreaking work on poverty, housing, and public policy. He is the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and the principal investigator of The Eviction Lab, a research initiative that focuses on the causes and consequences of housing instability in the United States. Desmond rose to national prominence with his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” which explores the impact of eviction on poor families in Milwaukee. His work has been instrumental in reshaping discussions around housing policy and has earned him numerous accolades, including a MacArthur “Genius” Grant.

5 Interesting Facts about Matthew Desmond

1. Matthew Desmond’s book “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.

2. Desmond was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as a “Genius Grant,” in 2015 for his contributions to sociology and public policy.

3. He is the principal investigator of The Eviction Lab, which has created the first nationwide database of evictions in America.

4. Desmond earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010.

5. He has been a vocal advocate for affordable housing policies and has testified before Congress on issues related to housing and eviction.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Matthew Desmond

1. “Eviction is a cause, not just a condition, of poverty.”

2. “The home is the center of life. It’s where work begins and where children are raised. Losing a home sends families to shelters, abandoned houses, and the street.”

3. “We have affirmed through our policies that some lives are more valuable than others.”

4. “To understand poverty, you have to understand that it’s not just about money. It’s about people’s lives, their relationships, their dreams, and everything that gets shattered when they lose their homes.”

5. “Safe, affordable housing should be a basic right for everybody in this country. The right to a stable home is the right to live with dignity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As of the latest available information, Matthew Desmond’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, largely attributable to his book sales, academic salary, and speaking engagements.