Opinion

For This Family, It’s Not ‘Couch Surfing,’ It’s Homelessness

By Linda Villarosa

Produced by Derek Arthur

The word “homeless” may conjure up images of shelters and living outdoors. But for millions of Americans, homelessness means sharing a home with multiple families or sleeping on a couch. In this audio essay, the New York Times Magazine contributing writer Linda Villarosa shares her reporting on “doubling up” and makes the case for the government to expand the definition of homelessness.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Credit…Illustration by Akshita Chandra/The New York Times; Photograph by Sasha Phyars-Burgess for The New York Times

This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Pat McCusker with engineering by Isaac Jones. Original music by Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski.

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