Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison

Written in 1966 as science fiction, Make Room! Make Room! is set in New York City in 1999. It is August and unbearably hot. The city is overcrowded with 35 million residents who are forced to live in tiny rooms, abandoned cars and on the streets. There are water shortages, frequent power outages, and food consists of seaweed crackers, lentils, and oatmeal slices. Only the very wealthy and influential can afford to live in heavily-guarded condos. Police Detective Andy Rusch, who shares a room with his friend Sol Kahn, gets to see first-hand how the other half lives when he investigates the murder of powerful racketeer Mike O'Brien. Andy meets Shirl, Mike's mistress, who lets Andy enjoy some of Mike's condo luxuries - a hot shower, alcohol, real food, and air-conditioning - until she is forced to leave. Shirl moves in with Andy but the meager reality of their life together causes friction between them. The 1973 film Soylent Green is loosely based on this novel.