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 affecting millions of people worldwide. 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, and 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.
It’s time for real stories to be told by the unsheltered and by those who can speak about and for them so we can debunk the myths “for good” …
Together, WE Can Do More
It is a complex and pressing issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that is often misunderstood and stigmatized and is often seen as a personal failing rather than a systemic problem. We listened, gathered their stories, and crafted them into our special edition anthology book below. Together, we can change the “unsheltered” world by changing the narrative, one person, one story, one day at a time. Help us help them by grabbing your copy below ⤵︎
Dennis–
Big debate going on here in NYC and NY state about housing options. Mired in politics. The situation worsens every day as more and more migrants find their way here with no place to stay. Los Angeles and Seattle and other big cities have tent camps – much like we saw during the early days of the Great Depression.
During the Great Depression, FDR knew that most homeless people didn’t want handouts. They wanted a job so they could take care of their families. The government put many to work in a number of alphabet programs, e.g., the CCC. Today such programs weren’t perfect — and today they are scorned as “big government” or “government overreach” — but they gave back what many people really wanted: their pride.
In NYC, we have a number of locally sponsored programs to support the unhoused and those who are housed but living below the poverty level. Excellent food distribution programs that we support. NYC is, of course, deep “blue,” and such programs don’t exist everywhere.
What is the role of government toward its citizens? It’s a sorry debate in our society today.
Thanks for drawing attention to the issue as always.
Indeed it’s a difficult, long-standing, and growing challenge, Jeff, and as you’ve stated, “a sorry debate”… Similar to our quest to rally support for for other “humanity” causes, we will continue to amplify the visibility of this issue. Grateful for your support, my friend.
Very heart-touching, Dennis and particularly for me “Children make up about 25% of the homeless population”.
Homeless people with such high percentage of children among them need support.
I wonder if a mass re-qualification program may start with volunteers to teach them for few hours. each. I am sure that they have potential but lacked the opportunty or needed skills.
This is not as an individual effort. Collectively with donations of time and/or financial resources we could do a lot.
Thank you, my friend. A sad commentary on a long-standing problem that simply isn’t going to go away until we all step up to do more and do more good. Your suggested program is just one of many positive steps that can be taken. And you are absolutely on target, it must be an (expanding) collective effort. Grateful for your perspectives, as always.
This conversation is long overdue. Yes, we have all dabbled in the “system” whether we have known an unhoused person directly or indirectly, volunteered, or have experienced the experience personally. BUT, it is time to dive deeper. Listen to the pain points. Tell THEIR stories. Find solutions. There is power in many. Great article, Dennis.
Indeed, Peggy, the time is long overdue for us all to “dive deeper” and simply do more, while doing more good. And I/we are delighted to be doing it alongside you, my friend.