I found this Washington Post article extremely interesting. Please click through to be informed of all the details, but to save time, I will list the five myths for you:
1. Homelessness is usually a long-term condition.
2. Most of the homeless have severe mental illness.
3. Homeless people don’t work.
4. Shelters are a humane solution to homelessness.
5. These poor you will always have with you.
How do you feel about these comments? Does this change your opinion of the unhoused? Do you think they’re true or false statements? Why or why not? We’re interested in your feedback. Please sign in below and leave your $0.02 for us.
I have a difficult time with #4 personally. I think that our partners at Cherry Street do an excellent job to provide a safe, humane and dignified environment for the unhoused. I almost feel that this one misses the mark. Anyone else?
#5 and the discussion of ‘housing first’ and then treating the underlying causes of homelessness definitely brought to mind Ken Leslie of 1Matters recent article in the Toledo Streets newspaper. It seems to say that the problem is homelessness, so build homes, rather than seeing homelessness as a symptom of other problems that make it difficult or impossible to maintain a stable housing situation.
Exactly Wade. I agree completely. I love this article because it helps eliminate all of the arguments we often get as advocates for the unhoused. If someone is lost and hungry, feed them and then figure out how to get them where they need to go. In addition, many of the other problems that the unhoused face: mental illness, lack of job skills, lack of resources, etc., can be remedied of a longer period of time. It’s the whole chicken and the egg scenario finally being attacked from the other side. Thanks for commenting Wade. Please continue to leave your feedback!