Helpful and generous in resources to help. Good overarching resource on homelessness in America.

An incredibly moving and heartbreaking book that dives into the complexities of homelessness. Everyone should read this book, but especially Christians who want to do something about people experiencing homelessness, law makers, and community leaders who interact with these people regularly.

When We Walk By is easily one of my favorite nonfiction reads this year. Homelessness is a topic I’m deeply passionate about, and this book does a phenomenal job building a bridge of connection by sharing the real-life stories of people experiencing homelessness. It’s not just about storytelling, though—the authors take it a step further, debunking common misconceptions and challenging the way we approach conversations about homelessness and the individuals impacted by it.

I’ve always felt strongly about this issue, partly because I’ve seen how easily someone’s life can take a turn. I’ve had friends who’ve faced homelessness, and while I’ve been fortunate to have a support system, I know how thin that line can be for so many. This book captures that fragile reality beautifully. It reinforces the idea that homelessness isn’t a moral failing or a reflection of someone’s worth. It’s often a result of circumstances—an accident, an illness, a lost job—that could happen to anyone.

The authors delve into the narratives and policies that shape our understanding of homelessness, including how certain measures criminalize those who are simply trying to survive. They also explore programs designed to reconnect unhoused individuals with family members they’ve lost touch with. These moments of reconnection were some of the most powerful parts of the book for me, highlighting the importance of human connection and the dignity of being seen and heard.

Admittedly, there were times when the reflections and quotes felt repetitive, but I didn’t mind—it only emphasized the central message: these are people, not problems to be solved or ignored. The reflections at the end of each chapter were especially impactful, encouraging readers to think critically about what they’ve read and to consider actionable steps to address homelessness in their own communities.

In a world where material success and homeownership are often equated with value, this book is a sobering reminder of what truly matters: humanity, compassion, and the morality we seem to be losing. With so many people living paycheck to paycheck, When We Walk By is a crucial read and a call to action to care about something beyond ourselves. It’s books like this that remind me why I’m so passionate about this issue and why it’s worth fighting for a better future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
It was hard for me to read this book at this exact point. Not because the book isn't good--it is, it is very good.
But it came in the middle of a lot going on with unhoused persons in my own town. I work at a library, and we want to help our unhoused citizens, but the externalities that come with it are very hard for a small library to deal with. We WANT to be compassionate and supportive, but it seems sometimes we spend all our time picking up garbage and cleaning bathrooms. The reminders in this book are so critically important for me as I try to do better. What a good reminder this book is, that our unhoused people are in fact PEOPLE, that they have people who care about them, somewhere, that they are just caught up in a terrible time in our country where so many things seem to conspire to keep people down. I need this reminder, and will continue to need it as we go on. But also we need to advocate for better resources and better policies. It is unacceptable that we have decided that some people just need/want to live this way. This book points out that this is a complex issue and there are no magic fixes, but there are things we can do. Excellent book.

This should be required reading for everyone in America. A really good primer on all of the systems that impact a person’s ability to afford housing, confronting our social biases, and a few ideas on what we, as individuals, can do to make an impact.

When We Walk By highlights an issue we routinely ignore and willfully put out of view. Adler humanizes those we have systemically forgotten and reminds us that it is the responsibility of the community to uplift those who need it. The issue of homelessness is multifaceted, which Adler embraces and touches on. Adler provides much needed data as well as anecdotes from those who are unhoused. Adler not only suggests solutions for the individual, but for communities and greater systems as well. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who live in cities.