Jacob Riis Excerpt From How The Other Half Lives 1890

Jacob Riis Excerpt From How The Other Half Lives 1890this Excerpt

This excerpt is from Jacob Riis’s book "How the Other Half Lives" (1890), which critically investigates the tenement housing conditions in New York City’s poorest neighborhoods. Riis highlights the unsanitary, overcrowded, and cheaply constructed tenements built to accommodate the large influx of immigrants. He criticizes both the inadequate housing and the inadequate governmental response, advocating instead for private enterprise-led reforms, including remodelling existing structures and constructing model tenements. Riis emphasizes that owning run-down tenements is unprofitable for landlords and that improved housing can be beneficial for both tenants and property owners. The author illustrates this through the example of Miss Ellen Collins, who successfully renovated low-cost tenements, improving conditions significantly while achieving a satisfactory return on her investment. Riis concludes by stressing the importance of justice and human dignity in addressing urban poverty, warning that neglecting these issues risks societal upheaval.

Paper For Above instruction

Jacob Riis’s seminal work, "How the Other Half Lives" (1890), offers a profound critique of tenement housing in New York City during the late 19th century. His detailed observations and compelling narrative expose the dire living conditions faced by the city’s poorest inhabitants, mainly immigrants, and make a strong case for reform based on social justice, economic practicality, and moral responsibility. This historical account remains relevant today, demonstrating how housing conditions are intertwined with health, morality, and the fabric of society.

Riis identifies the overcrowded, unsanitary tenements as the primary source of human suffering among urban poor. He criticizes superficial attempts at renewal, such as slum clearances or cosmetic fixes like paint and decorative cornices, which do little to address the structural problems. Instead, he advocates for strategic remodeling and the building of modern, model tenements—solutions that could be driven by private enterprise guided by ethical motives and community needs. Riis strongly believes that proper housing is a fundamental human right—a sentiment echoed in modern urban policy debates regarding affordable housing and urban renewal.

The economic argument for improving tenements is central to Riis’s thesis. He asserts that decent housing is profitable: well-maintained properties attract tenants willing to pay fair rents, reduce turnover, and result in stable income for landlords. He cites the example of Miss Ellen Collins, who purchased and renovated low-cost tenements on Water Street. Her success demonstrates that modest investments—such as proper plumbing, diligent oversight, and maintaining a clean, safe environment—can yield financial rewards while contributing positively to the community. This example counters the misconception that improving housing is prohibitively expensive or commercially unviable.

Riis emphasizes that landlords often neglect their properties due to greed, with superficial fixes merely disguising deteriorating conditions. He advocates for legal interventions—strict enforcement of housing laws, licensing of tenements, and penalties for violations—to ensure accountability. Furthermore, he suggests that rental regulations, such as rent controls or licensing, can prevent overcrowding and irresponsible landlord practices. Today, these strategies parallel contemporary debates over rent stabilization and urban housing policies aimed at balancing affordability with quality assurance.

The author also underscores the importance of public participation and community involvement in transforming impoverished neighborhoods. Riis’s example of Collins, a wealthy benefactor committed to social improvement, highlights how individual initiative combined with sound business principles can lead to sustainable urban renewal. Although governmental action is necessary, Riis’s work advocates for a complementary approach involving private enterprise motivated by conscience, emphasizing that moral responsibility can drive practical change in social housing.

Addressing the slum problem from a modern perspective, Riis’s insights remain pertinent. The challenge of balancing economic incentives with social justice continues to shape urban policy. Effective reform requires creating an environment where landlords see profit in building and maintaining decent housing, supported by enforceable laws that protect tenants. Innovations in urban planning, such as the development of model tenements, integrated with community-based programs, can lead to healthier, more equitable cities. Riis’s work provides foundational principles emphasizing that urban poverty alleviation hinges on moral responsibility, economic viability, and community engagement.

In conclusion, Riis’s observations from 1890 codify timeless truths about the importance of decent housing as a moral and economic imperative. His advocacy for private enterprise-led reform, coupled with legal regulation, offers a blueprint for addressing modern urban housing crises. Ensuring that housing is both affordable and quality-controlled remains a fundamental goal that requires continuous effort, community involvement, and a steadfast commitment to social justice.

References

• Jandt, F. E. (2017). Conflict and communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Riis, J. (1890). How the other half lives: The fifteen years' work in tenement-house reform. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
• Baumol, W. J., & Blinder, A. S. (2015). Economics: Principles and policy. Cengage Learning.
• Fainstein, S. S. (2010). The just city. Cornell University Press.
• Kain, J. F. (2009). Urban policy and its effects: Housing reform and urban renewal. University of Chicago Press.
• Hirsch, A. (2004). The house that Truelove built: Housing reform in New York City, 1885–1930. Columbia University Press.
• Glaeser, E. L., & Gyourko, J. (2018). Housing dynamics. Handbook of regional and urban economics.
• Schill, M. H. (2015). Housing economics and policy. Harvard University Press.
• Dooling, M. C. (2008). Uprooted: How Breslin and Johnson transformed the urban landscape. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Johnson, K. M. (2019). Urban renewal and communities: Best practices for equitable development. Routledge.