One of the most important things we can offer the homeless is understanding, and that starts with challenging our assumptions about them. Let’s loosen and fertilize our hearts by debunking a few myths:<\/p>\n
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Photo, courtesy Wikimedia Commons, C. G. P. Grey<\/p><\/div>\n
*They’re dangerous: Homeless people are more likely to be the victims of crimes than the perpetrators.<\/p>\n
*They freeload off of American tax dollars: Many of our nation’s homeless have contributed something far more dear than tax dollars. Recent numbers suggest that 1 in 4 homeless people are veterans, and 70% of homeless vets served for three or more years. A leading reason for their poverty is the high incidence and insufficient treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n
*They’re substance abusers:\u00a0It’s true that the number is high, an estimated 50%. But some only began using after becoming homeless. Still others start after accepting protection from abusers.<\/p>\n
*They don’t want to work: Many people lose their homes while they’re still holding down steady employment. Full-time hours at minimum wage isn’t enough to cover basic living expenses in many major cities. Others have insufficient or no health insurance when a serious medical condition strikes.<\/p>\n
*They’re mentally unstable: Only 25% of the homeless suffer from a mental illness. Those who do are often refused employment or housing (even when they have money) as a consequence of their illness.<\/p>\n
*They’re too stubborn to go to shelters: Capacity and safety standards vary widely at shelters across the country, and homeless people often rely on street-based safety networks. And some shelters are gender-specific, forcing couples and families to split up if they want beds.<\/p>\n
Do you have any poverty myth-busting of your own to add? Please do share your ideas for being more helpful and understanding of the poor in our communities.\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” Jose Narosky Charlotte Bronte: \u201cPrejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education; they grow there, firm as weeds … Continue reading