Homelessness is a problem in every community. It does not discriminate. Families, veterans, individuals, young adults, and children can all find themselves struggling without a stable place to call home. And while there are shelters and service organizations that can help, the best way to prevent homelessness is by providing people with stable, affordable housing. By working together to address the underlying causes of homelessness, we can make a difference and help end this issue in our community.
Debunking 10 Misconceptions About Homelessness in the US
Fiction: All homeless individuals sleep on the streets and beg for money.
Fact: The only homeless persons we see on the streets are those who are the most obvious. Manypeople are without a home and are living in shelters; staying with friends and family because they cannot afford to rent; or are about to lose their housing for several reasons, such as affordability, family dysfunction and/or breakdown, mental health issues, addiction, and/or cognitive problems brought on by aging or other conditions, among many others.
Fiction: All homeless people are drinkers and drug users.
Fact: While some persons who are homeless or have been so for a while will show signs of mental illness and participate in addictive habits, others won’t. Most people with mental health or addiction problems became so as a result of their homelessness. Nobody chooses to be mentally ill or homeless. Even an addict is aware of their illness; they cannot stop on their own. In the modern world, anyone can experience it anytime for any reason.
Fiction: They might enter a shelter or social housing.
Fact: Most shelters may only be accessible on a day-by-day emergency basis, and the supply of either type is insufficient to fulfill the need, with the exception of abuse victim shelters, which also have maximum stay durations.
Most shelters are overcrowded and designed as communal spaces, leading to complex dynamics, particularly when involving parents and kids. In most places, the wait list for social housing might range from five to twenty years. The homeless and abuse victims are given priority by most social housing providers, but despite this, they are typically given subpar apartments that are mostly unusable/ uninhabitable and for which repairs are not likely to be made anytime soon.
The chronically homeless who have mental health issues are in a worse position in these units because, in addition to the social isolation they would face in housing, there are no support services readily available, which usually results in loss of housing and a return to the street within a very short period of time. People are not eligible for a living allowance or other support from social assistance unless they have an address, so the homeless are often caught in a Catch 22.
Fiction: They could get a job to support themselves.
Fact: The first impression is the last. Nowadays, many firms want resumes to be uploaded online and want to email or call candidates they want to interview over the phone or by email. The majority of the homeless are excluded. Since most firms won’t hire someone who seems to be homeless or who they can’t reach by phone to offer employment, it is very tough to locate even menial labor for which the job seeker can apply in person. Even when a select few are fortunate enough to find a job, the salary is frequently insufficient to cover market rent. Accommodation is so often inaccessible and most working homeless people frequently lose their jobs after a short period due to the unavailability of affordable housing and the illegality of rooming houses in most cities.
Fiction: Throwing money at housing and services will not solve the problem.
Fact: One of the best indicators of recovery, physical health, and general well-being for persons who have experienced homelessness, particularly those who have struggled with mental health and addiction challenges, is secure, suitable housing, according to research. A stable, affordable place to live that meets an individual’s or family’s needs is a crucial element in overcoming homelessness and is often the first step on the road to recovery from mental health and addiction issues, as well as other chronic health problems. While it is true that some people will never be able to work or care for themselves and will require government support, for the majority of people who experience homelessness, access to affordable housing and support services is key to ending their homelessness.
Fiction: They should pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
Fact: The idea that someone experiencing homelessness should be able to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” is not only unrealistic, but it completely ignores the structural and systemic factors that contribute to homelessness. Homeless individuals often lack access to resources that would help them get back on their feet, such as stable housing, reliable transportation, quality child care, and affordable healthcare. In addition, many people who experience homelessness have jobs, but their incomes are not enough to cover the high cost of housing. The truth is, no one can really “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” without a bit of help from others. We all need access to resources and opportunities to succeed. And for people who are experiencing homelessness, these resources are often out of reach.
Fiction: They must have had some other options.
Fact: Several factors can contribute to someone becoming homeless, and often not one single event or choice leads to homelessness. Instead, it is usually a combination of factors, such as job loss, illness, family conflict, or the high cost of housing, that can push someone into homelessness.
People who are homeless are often coping with a lot of challenges in their lives. In addition to not having a stable place to live, they may also have mental health or addiction issues, chronic health problems, and limited access to resources and support. It’s important to remember that anyone can find themselves in a situation where they are struggling to make ends meet and at risk of becoming homeless. To end homelessness, we need to address the underlying causes, such as the high cost of housing and the lack of affordable housing options. We also need to provide resources and support to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.
Fiction: The government should build more shelters and provide more services for homeless people.
Fact: Shelters and services are essential but are not the only solution to ending homelessness. To address the issue, we need to focus on prevention and providing people with stable, affordable housing. Shelters can be an excellent resource for people experiencing homelessness, but they are often overcrowded and not always safe or comfortable. In addition, shelters usually have strict rules and regulations that make it difficult for people to access them.
Fiction: Housing is the only problem for Homeless People.
Fact: Services, such as healthcare and mental health services, can also be helpful for people who are homeless. However, these services are often not available to everyone who needs them. And even when they are available, they can be difficult to access due to the high cost or lack of transportation. The best way to prevent homelessness is to provide people with affordable housing. This can help people at risk of becoming homeless stay in their homes and avoid ending up on the streets.
Increasing access to affordable housing can help more people get off the streets and into stable homes.
Fiction: Homelessness is not a problem in our community.
Fact: Many people in our community are struggling with homelessness. In fact, the number of people experiencing homelessness has been increasing in recent years. This is due to several factors, such as COVID-19, the high cost of housing, the lack of affordable housing options, and the limited availability of resources and support. If we want to end homelessness, we need to come together as a community and address the underlying causes. We also need to provide resources and support to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. Working together can make a difference and help end homelessness in our community.
Homelessness is a problem in every community. It does not discriminate. Families, veterans, individuals, young adults, and children can all find themselves struggling without a stable place to call home. And while there are shelters and service organizations that can help, the best way to prevent homelessness is by providing people with stable, affordable housing. By working together to address the underlying causes of homelessness, we can make a difference and help end this issue in our community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, resources are available to help. You can contact Community Reach for help and to help others. Remember, no one should have to face homelessness alone.
There are people and organizations ready and willing to help.
Homelessness is a problem in every community. It does not discriminate. Anyone can find themselves struggling without a stable place to call home. And while there are shelters and service organizations that can help, the best way to prevent homelessness is by providing people with stable, affordable housing. By working together to address the underlying causes of homelessness, we can make a difference and help end this issue in our community.
