None of Us Are Home Until All of Us Are Home
The biggest misconception about the homeless is that they got themselves in the mess — let them get themselves out. Many people think they are simply lazy. I urge those to make a friend at a local mission and find out how wrong these assumptions are.
—Ron Hall
Homelessness is a complex and pressing issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is a condition that is often misunderstood and stigmatized and is often seen as a personal failing rather than a systemic problem.
Experiencing Homelessness Defined
- Someone who sleeps in doorways, overnight shelters, parks, bus stations, etc.
- An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation.
- An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing
Dismantling the Narrative
The time is long overdue to give a voice to those unfortunate and often mischaracterized and misunderstood souls living on the street. It’s time to dismantle the harmful, false narrative that homelessness is by choice. The most common misconception about people experiencing homelessness is that they want to live on the street. This myth enables apathy and maintains the status quo of too many people experiencing homelessness.
The idea that people who are homeless choose to live on the street perpetuates the false narrative that, unlike other people, they do not need or want stability.
People living on the street for long periods often suffer from co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. They are criminalized for being homeless, racking up nuisance crimes—such as trespassing, panhandling, public drinking and urination, and sleeping in public spaces—which can lead to a street-to-jail cycle that is hard to break.
Street life is punishing. People are frequently victimized, adding to a lifetime of trauma that can come with being poor. Chronic physical health problems, like hypothermia, are sometimes a consequence of homelessness, while others, such as Diabetes, are difficult to treat when sleeping on the street. In a lot of ways, our safety net has failed people over and over again.
Labels Matter: Unhoused vs Homeless
The terms “unhoused” and “homeless” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two. The word “homeless” can be seen as stigmatizing, as it implies that someone is without a home or a place to live. The word “unhoused,” on the other hand, is more neutral and does not make any assumptions about the person’s circumstances. Some people argue that the word “unhoused” is more accurate, as it does not suggest that someone is without a home. A person who is unhoused may still have a place to stay, even if it is not a permanent or stable home. For example, someone who is living in a shelter or a transitional housing program is still considered to be unhoused.
Common Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions about the homeless. Some of the most common ones include:
- Homeless people are all lazy and don’t want to work. This is simply not true. Many homeless people do work, but they often have difficulty finding and keeping jobs because they don’t have a permanent address or a way to get to work.
- Homeless people are all mentally ill or addicted to drugs. Again, this is not true. While some homeless people do have mental health issues or substance abuse problems, the majority do not. In fact, many homeless people are just like you and me, but they have fallen on hard times and need help getting back on their feet.
- Homeless people are dangerous. This is another myth. Homeless people are actually more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. They are often targets of violence and theft, and they live in constant fear for their safety.
Some Facts
- There are an estimated 553,742 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States.
- The majority of homeless people are single adults (60%).
- Children make up about 25% of the homeless population.
- The average age of a homeless person is 43.
- The leading causes of homelessness are poverty, lack of affordable housing, and mental illness.
Before you ignore another homeless person on the street, just remember that that could be someone’s father or someone’s mother and they have a story.
— Syesha Mercado
YOU Can Do More
You can donate to organizations that provide food, shelter, and other services to homeless people. You can also volunteer your time to help out at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Even small acts of kindness, such as giving a homeless person a meal or a blanket, can make a big difference. Care kits provide essential items for people experiencing homelessness. Things like toiletries, nutritious food, hand warmers, first aid supplies, and clean socks and clothing can help to improve their quality of life and make their daily struggles a little easier. Beyond all this, let’s not forget to:
- Respect the homeless as individuals: Give homeless people the same courtesy and respect you would afford your friends, your family, your employer. Treat them as you would wish to be treated if you needed assistance.
- Respond with kindness: Give homeless people the same courtesy and respect you would afford your friends, your family, your employer. Treat them as you would wish to be treated if you needed assistance.
Together, WE Can Do More
Originally Published on https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/author/dennisjpitocco/
