The Myths of Homelessness

Driving by tent communities located near freeway entrances or seeing people holding signs asking for help, makes it easy to be biased about people who are homeless. They seem faceless and nameless. You may think they are lazy or addicted, violent or mentally ill, or simply choose to be homeless. The path to homelessness is complicated, and the path out of it complex. It helps to first understand what homelessness isn’t.

Myth # 1 Homelessness is not a housing problem, it’s only a jobs problem ... and homeless people simply don’t want to work.
You might be surprised to learn many people who are homeless are employed. And, they often have more than one job. The National Council for the Homeless states that between 40-60% of people who are homeless have jobs. However, having a job doesn’t mean one can afford housing. In Clark County, less than 4% of apartments rent for less than $1000 per month and the average 1-bedroom apartment rent is $1300 per month.

Myth # 2 People who are homeless are dangerous, violent, and / or criminals.
According to the Council for the Homeless (Clark County), people who are homeless are no more likely to be criminals than people who are housed, with one legal exception: camping ordinances. People who are homeless break that law merely by being unhoused. The reality is most are spending their time and resources trying to survive and improve their situation.

Myth # 3 People choose to be homeless.
“Being homeless is stressful, humiliating, exhausting, and oftentimes unsafe. Daily, men, women, and children who are victims of homelessness live vulnerably and are commonly found in dangerous circumstances. When we take the time to learn someone’s story, we likely will hear they are not ‘choosing to be homeless’, but rather there are barriers to them getting housed.” unitedtoendhomelessness.org, 2019, Orange County CA United Way

Myth # 4 Homeless people are mentally ill or addicts.
The Addiction Center reports only 33% of homeless people battle mental illness. The unfortunate reality is individuals who suffer from mental conditions are more likely to be victims of assault, often leading to drug and alcohol abuse. They may also lack access to critical medications needed to maintain mental wellness. Common mental disorders homeless people struggle with include bipolar disorder, paranoia/delusions, schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder, PTSD (particularly high in veterans who are homeless), major depressive disorder and severe anxiety. Coping with mental health challenges and homelessness often leads to finding relief through harmful habits.

Myth # 5 It’s their own fault they are homeless.
Families and individuals become homeless for many reasons. Unemployment, family breakdown, domestic abuse, mental health issues, addiction, lack of affordable housing, physical illness, and eviction are all contributing factors to homelessness. Sources: Coalition of the Homeless (NY); Council for the Homeless (Clark County); Orange County United Way; The Addiction Center; Open House Ministries; National Council for the Homeless