Myths About The Homeless

Chandler Woenker

Five Myths About The Homeless

Being homeless is a hard and huge obstacle to overcome and has many other negatives besides not having a home. It does not matter how long you are homeless, it will affect you and the way you think in some way. Almost everywhere you go in the world, you will encounter the homeless by seeing them laying down on the sidewalk and resting or up and asking others for food, money or even work. This means that not only are older, single men homeless, but so are whole families with children and women. Many people have stereotypes of what they think homeless people are like but a lot of people are mistaken and their beliefs about homeless could not be further from reality.

The most common myth about the homeless is that they are content with their living situation and would rather not change their lifestyle. This statement could not be more wrong, people let a few individuals change the way they view an entire population. While occasionally, a person may not want to change and get a job, but people let that one individual pollute their view on all homeless people. Encountering the homeless upsets some people because they believe they are not trying and just want a handout. “What we don’t realize is that many homeless people actually do have jobs. These jobs are often jobs that pay under the table. This means that employers may not be paying homeless employees enough to live of off. It also means homeless employees are more likely to experience unfair treatment because they’re not on the payroll.” (Garcia)

Another myth is that homelessness is a choice for those who it affects. Many people believe this, and it is sad because the road to homelessness is a process and does not happen overnight. Sometimes it is hard to escape homelessness because you are in an abusive relationship, where you are told that you are not allowed to leave. This can add pain and fear to the already immense similar feelings that homelessness brings. In many cases where a woman is homeless and in an abusive relationship, her abuser is the one she relies on financially. “If they depend on their abuser for financial stability, it can be difficult to find the money for a new home, especially when they are prevented from working by their abuser.” (Garcia)

The myth that homeless people are uneducated is very far from the truth. “Between 2013 and 2014, there were 32,494 homeless students enrolled in public schools. This is an 8% increase from the previous school year. This is proof that homeless people are not uneducated; it just means they have more obstacles to attain their education.” (Garcia) Many programs and scholarships give the homeless students greater opportunities that they would have if they had to come up with the money. “But according to 2015 FAFSA reports, 58,000 of our college students are homeless.”(Garcia) While doing good in and graduating school is very important in getting a good job, even some college graduates are unable to find work and become homeless.

Some people believe the myth that homelessness is only a city problem. “Nearly 46 percent of homeless people lived in a major city in 2014, according to HUD's survey. The rest lived in smaller cities, suburbs, or rural areas.” (Lopez) According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, rural areas have been greatly impacted by homelessness often due to economic factors. “While in the city, it’s easier to come across homeless people, homeless folks in rural areas may be living with relatives or may experience homelessness for a shorter period of time compared to those in cities.”(“Rural Homelessness”) Obviously, homelessness is a bigger problem in the cities because of the resources and job opportunities.

While lots of people believe that providing helpful services and shelter will end homelessness, they are mistaken. Helping the homeless is very important but just giving them shelter and other services will not help them learn and grow as humans. “Some claim that since affordable housing is a huge problem concerning homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, building more affordable housing will eradicate the problem. This isn’t the case because it still doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be able to afford this seemingly affordable housing.” (Garcia) Even giving a homeless person a job could not get them fully out of poverty, “A full-time minimum wage worker couldn't afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent, a standard set by the federal government, in any state.” (Lopez)

Homelessness is a problem in not only the United States but all over the world. This problem needs to be addressed and the people it affects need to be offered help and guidance. Homelessness not only affects the older single men but women, children and even entire families. To understand them and what they are going through, you must know the correct information and not the popular view that society makes the homeless out to be.