Homelessness is a complex topic, and often people can have pre-conceptions or false ideas of what it means, who, and why people experience it.
So, we asked Claire Matthews – Head of Community Services at The Passage – to describe and explain the three most common misconceptions people have about homelessness.
Click on the boxes below, to learn more about each one.
Misconception 1: Homelessness is only what you see, the visible people on the street rough sleeping.
“I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that rough sleeping is the only part of homelessness. When actually, it’s so much broader than that.
Yes, rough sleeping is a huge and horrifying part of homelessness. But, there are also thousands of people in temporary accommodation, people who are sofa surfing, sleeping in cars or staying in hostels – this is known as hidden homelessness.
Once you get someone into accommodation, that’s just one step – but that’s not necessarily a home. That doesn’t resolve the issues and reasons that might have caused that person to face a housing crisis. We support people at all stages of their journey.”
When reading the latest rough sleeping statistics, it’s important to remember that this is only a representation of those who are seen on the streets. Rough sleeping is the tip of the iceberg, with many people experiencing ‘hidden homelessness’, going under the radar.
Misconception 2: Homelessness, or what led someone to experience homelessness is down to choice.
“Quite often, there is a misconception that a lot of people are on the street, or experiencing homelessness because of bad choices that they made. But, we know that this is not the case.
It’s very easy to look at the circumstances that someone is in, that result in them facing homelessness, and say that you would have made a different choice. But, your past experiences, how you grew up and the privilege you might experience in the world may be very different to theirs.
I think it’s really important that we don’t judge the “choices” that someone makes, because everyone’s story is unique, and we cannot compare life experiences and how they may impact us. It is not our place to assume that the opportunities someone is given in life are the same as ours.
What we do know, is that usually people will experience homelessness as a result of trauma. What that trauma is and the impact it has on that person will be different in every scenario.
Misconception 3: Homelessness is inevitable and unsolvable.
“The Passage works really hard to dispel this, and to show that it can be prevented and ended. Everyone deserves a place to call home, and it is our mission to ensure that happens.
Investing in what works, and focusing on preventative action is so important. There are some really powerful examples of preventative work that organisations are doing. Such as our No Night Out scheme, where somebody may arrive at our Resource Centre, with fairly low support needs, but they are at risk of spending the night on the streets.
From our learnings during the COVID pandemic, we know that moving those people into emergency accommodation, whether it be a hotel or B&B, is vital. It limits the exposure to the damaging impact that rough sleeping can have on a person’s mental and physical health – and it presents an opportunity for us to work with them to find suitable and sustainable long-term accommodation.”
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Breaking the stigma that surrounds homelessness is an important part of our mission, and you can help us to do just that, this #WorldHomelessDay. Please help us to spread the message and raise awareness of this important issue, by sharing this article online with your friends, family and colleagues, and tagging: @PassageCharity.
Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about homelessness please visit our FAQs page.
*April – September 2024