PRESS RELEASE

"How To Increase Homelessness," Joel John Roberts' Incisive Satire On The Absurdities Of Homelessness In America

Homeless advocate�s new book confronts status quo . . .

December 10, 2004

Homeless advocate�s new book confronts
status quo . . .


(LOS ANGELES) �Working
for the past decade to help the homeless get back on their feet, advocate Joel
John Roberts couldn�t quite square the increasing affluence and power of
America with the thousands of people he saw sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles
every night. It was absurd, he thought.



The result is his provocative new book How to Increase Homelessness: Real
Solutions to the Absurdity of Homelessness in America (Loyal Publishing,
Bend, Oregon, 160 pages $12.99). Zeroing in on the ironies of the phenomenon,
the satiric handbook for practical action guides readers through one of society�s
most difficult and divisive problems and provides hopeful insights and tools
for ending homelessness.



The mayors of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Inglewood,
California have all endorsed the book.



Roberts, 43, is executive director of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), a
21-year-old Southern California non-profit organization that has pioneered new
ways for breaking the cycle of homelessness.



As the devil�s advocate, he uses commentary and example to cast an experienced
eye on the intractable realities of homelessness and addresses how society sweeps
the issue into other communities (Leaf Blower Mentality and NIMBYs
Are Us); makes it difficult to access services (Access Denied);
reduces the housing stock (Build Our House on Sand); ignores sources
of hunger and poverty (No Free Lunch Or Bed and Give Them Liberty,
Not Death); and leaves some of the most vulnerable �the disabled veterans,
foster children, and the mentally ill �with no safety net for survival
(Bootstraps In An Age of Sneakers, Bring on the War, Free Will For The Mentally
Ill and Fostering Homelessness: One Emancipated Youth at a Time).



Seeing the current crisis as an �upside down reality,�Roberts demonstrates
that sometimes things make more sense when they are inverted. He takes a contrary
approach to common practices, suggesting ways to end homelessness while offering
a hopeful message for the future and a guide to keep the dialogue and search
for solutions alive.



Roberts was born in Hong Kong and adopted into an American family at age three.
While attending college he traveled throughout Asia and Africa witnessing poverty
and hunger in many countries and was compelled to try to develop his life to �help
empower others.�He earned a bachelor�s degree in communications from
California State University, Long Beach and a master�s in cross-cultural
studies from Fuller Seminary. Before joining PATH, he helped start COA International,
an international relief and development agency.



PATH is dedicated to empowering homeless people with the tools for self-sufficiency;
helping them overcome personal barriers, find work and access affordable housing.
Its PATHMall for delivery of services at one location is a national
model.



Roberts resides in Santa Monica, Calif. with two of his three children. His third
child is an adult living in Long Beach, Calif.



All proceeds from How to Increase Homelessness will go to help support
PATH programs. Books can be ordered directly through PATH at www.epath.org or
by calling (323) 644-2209.



How To Increase Homelessness: Real Solutions to the Absurdity of Homelessness
in America



By Joel John Roberts, $12.99, 160 pages, 5 � X 8 �



ISBN: 1-929125-43-7



Publication Date: December 2004



Loyal Publishing, Bend, Oregon