Facts and Myths of Homelessness

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Facts and Myths of Homelessness

• Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW

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• MYTH - Establishing services for the
• homeless will cause people from all around to
  migrate to a city or county.

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FACT - Homeless people who move to new area do so
because they are searching for work, have family
in the area, or for other reasons not related to
services
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Words from the Homeless
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• MYTH - Homeless
• people dont work
• and get most of
• their money from
• public assistance
• programs.

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• FACT - Many homeless people are among the working
  poor, and a relatively small percentage of them
  receive governmental assistance. Between 40-45
  of the homeless are employed on a full- or
  part-time basis.

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I was living on the streets. I was lucky if I
could take a shower. I was ashamed and
embarrassed of the situation I was in. I felt
hopeless, helpless, powerless, jobless.
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• MYTH - Homeless people are mostly single men.

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• FACT - Families constitute a large and growing
  percentage of the homeless population.

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Any day above ground is a good day!
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• MYTH - Homeless people are mentally ill.

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FACT - About 25 of the homeless are estimated
to be mentally ill. Many are unable to access
mental health services and are too ill to stay in
a shelter.
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I was staying at the shelter, I had a dislocated
shoulder, facing cervical cancer, and I was
depressed.
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• FACT - Homeless people are heavy drug and alcohol
  users.

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• FACT - Some homeless are substance abusers
  research suggests 25-40. Many of these are
  included in the 25 that are mentally ill.

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Just because you helped me get my money
straightened out, dont think you can tell me
what to do with it.
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• MYTH - Homeless people are a fixed population who
  are usually homeless for long periods of time.

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• FACT - The homeless population is quite diverse
  relative to their length of time being homeless
  and the number of times they cycle in and out of
  homelessness. Research indicates that 40 of
  homeless people have been homeless less than six
  months, and that 70 of homeless people have been
  homeless less than 2 years.

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Its crazy alright, living on the streets - it
can drive you crazy too.
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MYTH - Homeless are to blame for being homeless.
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• FACT - Most homeless people are victims. Some
  suffer from child abuse or violence. Nearly one
  quarter are children. Many have lost their jobs.

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I feel like a refugee from America.
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MYTH - Homeless are dangerous and they break the
law.
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FACT - In general, the homeless are among the
least threatening group in our society and are
more likely to be victims of crime.
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An old man with no money like me? Theyll leave
me for last. I dont think they want to bother
with me.
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MYTH - Charitable groups will take care of the
homeless.
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FACT - The growth of homelessness has far
exceeded the capacity of charitable groups.
Homelessness is a society problem that requires a
partnership between private charities,
government, and public support.
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I was suffering from chronic withdrawals from
alcohol. I was afraid. I was afraid to go to
the hospital. I was afraid of the diagnosis.
When I spoke to the outreach worker, I became
less afraid and more confident that I would be
able to get help.
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MYTH - Not many children are homeless.
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FACT - Children make up at least 39 of the
homeless population nation wide. Families are
the fastest growing group of homeless. Many
older homeless children are alone and homeless,
either runaways of domestic violence or unwanted
by their parents.
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Yeah, I like to get high but I dont cause any
trouble. Why should that bother anybody? Ill
bet nobody comes in your home and tells you want
to do. I may be in this shelter, but Im not a
child Im grown.
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MYTH - Homeless want to be that way
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It was clear from day one - this is temporary,
it had better not last very long, or a day will
arrive when my belongings are moved out for me.
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FACT - Less than 6 of the homeless are homeless
by choice
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• MYTH - Homeless are only found in large urban
  areas.

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Shelters? I never went to them. They are
unsafe. People always robbed you in shelters.
I slept in abandoned cars, parks. It was safer.
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• FACT - Homeless are found not only in the large
  cities, but in small towns, rural areas and
  affluent suburbs. Homeless people in non-urban
  areas can be hard to spot. These people are
  often the hidden homeless.

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• For more information on homelessness, contact the
  Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio see
  our website at www.cohhio.org or to ask questions
  about homelessness email us at info_at_cohhio.org

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Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in
OhioJonda Clemings, MSEd, LSWRural Housing
Program Coordinator175 S. Third St. - Suite
250Columbus, Ohio 43215Phone [phone]Fax
614-463-1060www.cohhio.orgyour email address