I wish to thank the following people for assistance that made this book possible. Lawrence M. Mead of New York University has been my friend and colleague for many years and provided me with invaluable criticism and inspiration. The School of Public Affairs at Baruch College, City University of New York, my professional home for more than twenty years, has been a supportive community throughout; colleagues at the school who have been especially supportive include Sanders D. Korenman, Dahlia Remler, Jerry Mitchell, James A. Krauskopf, and David S. Birdsell. Lawrence M. Mead, Nicole P. Marwell, Neil J. Sullivan, and Daniel W. Williams read early drafts of the book and provided valuable advice. Two anonymous reviewers for NYU Press also made useful suggestions. Any remaining errors or omissions are my own. Kardi Teknomo of the School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, did the queuing theory analysis that appears in chapter 3, table 3.1, concerning the debate over the Callahan consent decree plumbing ratios. Clara Platter and Constance Grady were wonderful editors. Benjamin Gillespie did a great job putting the book’s tables and charts into order, and Diana Lazov helped me prepare the final manuscript file. My wife, Carla Main, endured my long process of writing this book and provided wise counsel and indispensable inspiration. My sons, Henry Main and Joshua Main, my brother, William Main, and my cousin, Margaret Gallacher, kept my spirits up. To my parents, George Main and Catherine Main, and my grandmother, Catherine Gallacher, who raised me, I owe greater thanks than I can express here. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the importance of the people who have been homeless in New York City over the past thirty-five years and express my admiration for all the actors who have worked to improve their lot.
This book contains excerpts from the following articles that I have previously written: “Quantum Change in the Fragmented Metropolis: Political Environment and Homeless Policy in New York City,” Review of Policy Research 23, no. 4 (2006); “Shelters for the Homeless Men in New York City: Toward Paternalism through Privatization,” in Lawrence M. Mead, ed., The New Paternalism (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1997); “Hard Lessons about Homelessness: The Education of David Dinkins,” City Journal, Summer 1993; “The Homeless of New York,” Public Interest no. 72 (Spring 1983).