Philanthropy and the housing crisis: the dilemmas of private charity and public policy

Dreier examines philanthropic engagement in U.S. housing crises across various historical periods, comparing the short-term interventions of private charity with the potential for structural solutions offered by public policy. He considers how philanthropic funding, when isolated from broader housing strategies, can unintentionally hinder systemic reform. The article critically analyzes the dilemmas faced by private charity in addressing large-scale societal issues, advocating for more integrated approaches with public policy.