Homelessness Bias-Busters

We put together a list of frequently asked questions about homelessness with the help of our Giving Partners, organizations and shelters who help us get our socks to those in need. Our hope is that these questions can help address curiosities, unpack preconceived notions, and start important, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about homelessness with our friends and families.

It seems like there are lots of shelters, why would someone choose to be on the street?

Those who seek shelter are often dealing with their own personal trauma which can easily be aggravated by others who are also dealing with personal challenges. Being together in a close space can be disruptive, overwhelming, and feel unsafe depending on one’s circumstances. Negative experiences in shelters lead many homeless individuals to feel safer on the street. 

If homeless individuals can get a job, why are they homeless?

About 25% of individuals experiencing homelessness have one or more jobs. Unfortunately, due to rising housing costs and overall lack of affordable housing, minimum wage isn’t always enough to afford a home. It’s also important to note that not having a job shouldn’t render someone homeless. Homelessness is most often a product of a lack of the support network that, for many of us, kicks in when life gets challenging.  

Why is working while unhoused hard to do?

Working while unhoused comes with a number of challenges. A person who is unhoused likely doesn’t have a safe and consistent place to sleep making it hard to focus and work safely. They may not have anywhere to store their belongings and it may not be possible to bring them to their place of work. They may have a pet that serves as their companion and makes them feel safe, but have no place to keep the pet while they work. They may not have a current ID or bank account that would allow them to receive a paycheck. They may be experiencing unidentified or unhealed trauma that prevents them from being able to offer consistent commitment that ensures employment. As much as a job can help in a number of ways, there are many factors that should first be addressed before expecting an individual to successfully maintain employment.

I offered my leftover food to a homeless individual, who didn’t want it. Shouldn’t they take anything?

Maintaining a sense of self and dignity is important for survival and getting back on one's feet. Despite being in a difficult situation, folks experiencing homelessness are still humans with likes and dislikes, preferences, and standards. Honoring the dignity of choice is powerful.

It seems like many people experiencing homelessness have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Why is that?

A challenging or unhealthy relationship with alcohol can affect absolutely anyone. Drugs and alcohol are used by many individuals as a coping mechanism. Unhoused individuals may be using substances to numb past trauma or the reality of their current situation, to cope with pain, or to help get some sleep. Addiction to substances can happen all too easily, to anyone. When a substance is associated with comfort and few other comforts are available, it may quickly become a survival solution. In order to address substance use, an individual should also be met with additional support services as needed. 

If there is one thing that you wish more people understood about homelessness, what would it be?

“Nobody wants to be homeless. People who are in the street are playing the best hand they have been dealt. Sometimes they are choosing not to stay in a shelter because they had a bad experience, or they are afraid of catching Covid. Sometimes they are self-medicating because of deep pain, like abuse or neglect. Sometimes they are dealing with mental or physical disabilities that hold them back from living their best life. Sometimes they simply lost their job, experienced a bad breakup, or just took a risk and it didn’t pan out. Homelessness is never a first choice, it is always a worst case scenario. People experiencing homelessness are stronger than those of us who are housed can imagine. They are not lazy. They are fighting uphill, against the wind, carrying everything they own along the way. They deserve our respect, our appreciation, and our time. We have a lot to learn from them.”

-Josiah Haken, VP of Outreach Ops, NYC Relief

If I pass someone who is asking for money, should I give it to them?

If you feel comfortable empowering the person who you're giving it to to use it in a way they deem most helpful, then feel free to give. If you don't wish to offer money, but do wish to offer support, you might ask them directly if there is something you can purchase for them that would be helpful. 

Why does it sometimes feel so hard to really offer someone help?

Simply put, it’s complicated. Offering help to someone experiencing homelessness is an important thing to do. Rarely is this experience the result of one acute issue that can be solved. Homelessness happens foremost when one loses their support network and the challenges they face become too overwhelming to handle. To survive without a home takes strength and courage. One is forced to look out for oneself which often means becoming distrustful of others. This is especially true if one has had lived experience where they were hurt or traumatized by someone close to them. The longer a person experiences homelessness, the harder it can be to help them to trust someone enough to accept support. Through consistent interactions and relationship building, the opportunity to help - even in small ways - may be possible and certainly impactful.

Is homelessness an issue that money can solve?

Money is helpful for many things, but not enough on its own. A home is surely needed, but also not enough on its own. As humans, we rely on a number of supports to help us survive and thrive each day. If all supports were taken away but one, those losses would make it very challenging to function. Similarly, offering someone one solution when the others aren’t in place, can make it very challenging to help a person achieve stability. Understanding each individual’s needs and connecting them to services that meet each of those needs is the best way to help someone get the support they need.

If homeless individuals have nice clothing or a phone, do they really need my help? 

Nice clothing often comes from donation closets, stocked by folks giving away bags of clothes they no longer wear. Many assistance programs provide smartphones knowing how important they are for managing one's health and employment. Being able to wear clean clothes and having a phone offers a sense of dignity for someone who may otherwise be having a hard time.

What’s the right way to try to help someone experiencing homelessness?

Start by realistically assessing what you feel you’re able to contribute. It may be a kind hello, a few dollars, a cup of coffee each morning, or time that you can sit and chat. All are important and it’s especially important to know what you’re willing and able to give. A universal truth: help is most effective when you can meet someone where they’re at. If you’re interested in helping someone connect to services and you’re willing to be an advocate for them, have a clear conversation that establishes boundaries set by both parties and an agreement about what it means to help in a sustainable way. 

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