Homelessness Myth #2: "They're All Bums!"

Absolutes can be tricky because there is usually an exception that "proves" or breaks every rule. We have often heard the expression, "Never say never!" We generally know in our hearts that in the world of human beings, no one is perfect, no rule remains unbroken and no expressions are absolute.

The same is true with homeless people. There are no absolutes. Just based on what we intuit about the world around us, we know that each homeless person is a unique person - just a housed person without the home.

Whether a person can be called a bum actually depends upon how, of course, we define the word, "bum." However, anyone chooses to define that word, I think most of us would agree that children are not bums under any definition.

In my experience, I have found that approximately 25 percent of homeless people are children. Together, women and children make up close to 40 percent of homeless people and are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. They have not chosen homelessness as a life-style; rather, homelessness has been forced upon them.

Escaping battery is one reason why women become homeless. When women leave their batterers, they generally take their children with them. Battered women's shelters are testaments to this experience. Not unlike homeless shelters generally, most of the battered women's shelters are full.

Another reason women and children become homeless is the impact of a challenging economy upon single mothers. Since the first working mom sought employment, finding a job and arranging for childcare so she could go to work have been huge issues. In the past, however, some of these working moms had family that they could rely on to some extent for support.

Today, large distances separate many family members and extended family finances have dwindled due to a host of economic circumstances. Thus, poor mothers often find they are unable to get help from their already overstressed family support system.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, will hopefully help prevent more people from becoming homeless. On October 8th, LaDonna Pavetti, director of the Welfare Reform and Income Support Division of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support that the ARRA "prevented millions of Americans from falling into poverty and has helped some states to forgo significant cuts that would have weakened the safety net for very poor families with children."

Part of ARRA, the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) as administered through the States and their Continuums of Care may help homeless women and children become housed. Since applications for assistance are just now being made available to potential participants, the impact of the HPRP is yet to be felt.

The opinions that some housed people may have of homeless people may be understandable, but their opinions are uneducated. For example, some housed people may see homeless people sleeping in public during the day and conclude they are lazy.

In truth, many homeless people choose to sleep during the day because it is too dangerous for them to sleep at night because that is when they are most vulnerable.

Some time ago, I accompanied students from Crossroads High School in Santa Monica as they made a short film about homelessness in their city. I introduced them to my friend, "Charles," who spoke to them very frankly about his experiences since he became homeless.

Charles shared that although he was over 6 feet tall and weighed over 230 pounds, he was afraid to sleep at night.

"Why?" asked the surprised students.

Charles was slightly embarrassed when he confessed that when he slept at night he was afraid someone would hurt him. Instead, he chose to sleep during the day and in well-trafficked areas because he felt that the constant flow of people would provide him with an additional measure of safety.

Charles asked the students if they had read the reports of some young people who had killed homeless people while they slept.

Bums or people protecting themselves? You decide.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks,

Christine

 

Comments

[itolduso]

Politicians love to cite the 'high cost' of social services.... claiming that the government does much for it's people....some even say 'too much'. But currently over seven million people are in prison, on probation or parole, with total state spending of around 52 BILLION dollars, and we have spent over $915 BILLION on WARS since 2001. The tiny pittance that actually is spent on food, shelter, and emergency services for citizens doesn't even come close.... so I say to those politicians.... "until you can show that you are willing to invest as much in health, education & welfare for the people of this country as you do in punishment & warfare...then you are not a good leader, and you do not deserve my vote." It's time we all demand that this country's leaders start really caring for it's people.

[itolduso]

Hi Christine..another great article. The challenge of getting accurate counts of the numbers of specific groups of homeless people is a doozy - there is no easy solution. Women & children fleeing a domestic violence situation often leave with only the clothes on their backs, & as you noted-shelters are full across the country- many have waiting lists stretching to 6 months or more to get in. Those with friends or family find themselves 'couch-surfing' or living in cars, struggling to find services during the day, hiding in shadows at night.... there are some programs that work, but evaluating & documenting what works is next to impossible when you are dealing with people whose lives depend on their remaining hidden from their abusers, and when service providers are bound by confidentiality laws. Another group that is overlooked is senior citizens- tens of thousands are living on checks of only $1200. or less a month- with a portion going to medical and drug plans, and the high cost of rent & utilities- there just is nothing left for food- and seniors have little access to computers that offer info on services available- they suffer alone & in silence, invisible until accident or death finally ends their misery. The really unlucky ones lose their homes & end up in medicare paid nursing homes- the worst hell-holes in this nation.

[mpmckeever]

Christine's big heart led her to focus on children in trouble. I can only wonder why we as Americans do so little for the disadvantaged.

Not sure of the number, but about half of all children in the USA depend on food stamps.

Any ideas on what to do??

mckeever

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Mpmckeever,

Thanks for your comment.

And thanks for the lovely compliment.

I agree with you - any child on food stamps is one child too many.

Hunger is a huge problem in the United States and the World. Nearly 3 million children in California alone go to bed hungry every night.

As you know, we at Children Helping Poor and Homeless People (www.chphp.com) work with hundreds of families who do not have enough money to feed their families dinner every night. These children eat breakfast and lunch at school. Then they often have to wait until the next morning for food, breakfast, at school.

I do have an idea. In addition to being director of CHPHP, I am going to become a consultant working in the area of public policy and helping with the education of the public to shine a light on the very important issues of hunger, poverty and homelessness.

I am grateful for the opportunity to blog through The Huffington Post to, hopefully, educate and start debunking common myths.

Now, I have to figure out my next step.

Any suggestions?

Please keep in touch,
Christine

[Sharon Corcoran]

I dont have the link right now but I saw the statistics for homeless school children- CA 30% Arizona 37%- I read an article about some of the traders from Wall street who lost their jobs- A few interviewed were humbled by the experience- They were living in small apartments and living off unemployment until it runs out- One person said he had thought that people on employment were lazy and didn't want to work He got a job at restaurant as a waiter was grateful to get the job- He used to eat lunch there and order $200-400 bottles of wine. They are a few steps away from being homeless- Here is a link to a article from 2006 about poverty in America-

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Sharon,

Thanks for your comment.

And thank you for all this great information.

However, the link you were going to attach did not come through.

Would you kindly try sending me that link again? It would be very helpful.

Thank you!

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[wealthandriches]

There was a time I was homeless. I only had part time work and wasn't able to pay my rent on time for many months. I was evicted with no where to go to live. Then my part time work ended and I was able to get food stamps and unemployment. Housing was useless though as there were so many people needing a roof over their heads. I ended up sleeping in my one fully own possession which was my Explorer. I took advantage of the State job search office each and EVERYDAY that it was open. Because I was determined the temp. agency people that were also in the same office noticed me and I was able to secure a full time job. Since then I have also started my own business which I'm doing part time working it into full time. There are a lot of Gov. sponsored help already and if one is determined to get a job using them can be very helpful. It's all a matter of attitude and actually helping the one's that need help and not abusing the system.

Dexter

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Dexter,

Thank you for your comment.

What an amazingly strong person you are! Congratulations on all that you have accomplished in your life, regardless of the challenges.

May I ask a few questions? What State are you in? Did anyone help you with advice or moral support as you followed through on all your efforts? What was the most challenging issue you faced going from living in your vehicle to housing?

I am going to be writing about people who have overcome huge challenges in their lives. Would like me to write about you? If so, please contact me at my email: chphp@eart­hlink.net. In the "RE:" section, please note that you are from The HuffPost.

In any event, I hope you'll stay in touch,
Christine

[mamacat]

Homeless and poor people are lazy?

As a young, single person, I wanted to go to school. I passed the entrance qualifications for university, and I had saved up enough to get started on the tuition. Someone lent me a car, but I had no place to live. I went to the university, before classes started, and lived in the car while I looked for a job. Another student saw me sleeping in the car, someone from a wealthier family, and offered me the use of his couch and bathroom. I accepted. Eventually I got a job, and was able to rent half of a bedroom in a student apartment. I worked forty hours a week at night and took a full load of classes in the daytime, and was able to pay for tuition and rent. Eventually I enlisted and served in the armed services.

By the way, on another issue, compassion does not know political boundaries. The young man who gave me a roof over my head was quite conservative in his political views, and we had a few discussions about politics, but let us just say that we agreed to disagree. Our political differences did not keep him from helping me, or me from respecting him. I am reminded of how Presidents G.H.W. Bush and Clinton worked together in harmony to aid the victims of the tsunami a few years ago. They were good role models.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Mamacat,

Thanks for your comment.

What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing so many details of your life. I know it's silly, but all I can think of to say is the old expression, "Go, Cat, Go!"

How wonderful and how strong a person you are.

What motivated you to join the military? Thank you for your service to this country.

I am certainly blessed, as I think we all are, to learn the story of your courage in life. You are an inspiration!

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[mamacat]

Both of my parents served in World War II, my dad suffering horribly with life-long PTSD. They taught me to be grateful to this country.

While in college, and before enlisting, I traveled throughout Europe, both in the East and in the West. (The book "Europe on $5 a day" was my travel Bible, and I found some very inventive ways to save money.) I saw first hand what Eastern Europe was like, and I very interesting, long discussions with dedicated Communist Party members. Again, we agreed to disagree, but we realised we could like each other. In Western Europe, I met Germans who had killed allied soldiers in combat, and I met Western Europeans who had served in the Underground and who had killed Nazis and Gestapo agents while serving there. I met muslims in France, free thinkers in Scandinavia, laborers, doctors, students, housewives, and everyone I met and everywhere I went, reminded me of how lucky I was.

When I got back home, where we had the draft, I talked and I observed. I watched card-carrying flag wavers avoid the draft, and I watched poor people serve bravely. Many people did not have a clue about the issues, but they followed a tradition of serving.

I enlisted because I believed that the Cold War was more important than the Vietnam War. The thought that the whole world could become like what I had seen in Eastern Europe was too terrible to contemplate.

[isjois]

I would love to read about the myth - "They're all lazy."

If people really knew how much "work" it takes to survive - as a "poor person" - there would likely be more interest in changing our nation's policies. In the suburbs, it's difficult for people to secure enough food and resources to get by. While there are food pantries and "outreach ministries", people require transportation to access them. In the suburbs, we lack buses to transport people easily from point A to B. So, poor people must have a car (or friend) to transport them around. The public aid office is 30-60 minutes away...our county social service office is 15-30 minutes in the other direction. It can take our poor families all week to secure enough food to stave off hunger and resources to maintain a roof over their heads.

It makes no sense. You see the determination of these people who seek out help for their families - what amazing things they could do for our nation in the "workplace"! Perhaps, if we could increase food stamp benefits and resuscitate cash assistance and subsidized housing programs, these individuals could spend their time securing an education, job skills or actual employment!

Our country can do a better job of helping people "get back on their feet". Keep attacking those myths and teaching people about poverty and homelessness. The system can be fixed - if caring individuals demand change.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Isjois,

Thank you for your comment.

And thank you for your kind words of encouragement.

And also, thank you for the myth, "They're All Lazy." I will definitely add this to my list of myths.

What this myth calls for is employment numbers - how interesting would it be to know how many homeless people are actually working! And how many are actually working 2 jobs!

I know a number of employed homeless people, but I don't know the statistics, yet.

Do you have any suggestions about where to get the statistics about how many homeless people are employed?

I have been spending time on the US Department of Labor website lately, so maybe they would have something.

But, in the meantime, please let me know if you, OR ANYBODY OUT THERE (I'm shouting), has any ideas on where to find these statistics.

If I may say, Isjois, you are a very wise person. Where did you get your understanding? Were you taught by someone or an experience? Are you self-taught? Are you just a wonderful observer of life?

I've had to learn a lot of things the hard way, so I am always curious about how others learn. I'm still hoping for "infused knowledge" - something, even as a child, I would have voted for had I been given the chance.

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[isjois]

Christine,

I'm not sure "if" you could find the figure of homeless people working. There are lots of important facts and figures that we choose not to document in this country. By not getting an "accurate count", we don't have documentation of actual issues - or the severity of them. Look at our "unemployment figures". They don't take document all of the people no longer receiving benefits...but, still without a job...or the "under-employed" (or working part-time)...or, those who have given up. If I find any links, I'll pass them along...but, I honestly doubt they exist.

Thanks for your kind words. What I've learned has been through a combination of personal experience and observation. I was raised by a single mom and a latch-key kid by age 7. In order to go to college, I had to take out loans and work three jobs - at once. But, I didn't "see" the worst of it, until my children became disabled and we came very close to being homeless. I had been raised on "personal responsibility" (and had suspicions about it)...but, when you face a life crisis - you really learn how invaluable compassion and "social responsibility" can be. In our nation, we want everyone to "take care of themselves"...but, we don't want to acknowledge that we all need help to succeed. We are all born helpless...and we all need support and encouragement to thrive.

Thanks for writing!

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Isjois,

I am going to be writing about people who have overcome huge challenges in their lives. Would like me to write about you? If so, please contact me at my email: chphp@eart hlink.net. In the "RE:" section, please note that you are from The HuffPost.

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[diane HEAR US]

Thanks for sensitively shining a light on this issue. Homeless families and teens are the shamefully ignored segment of the homeless population--one that reflects the abysmal neglect of poverty issues in our nation. We run around sticking bandages on the wounds. More systemic approaches are needed.

Certainly awareness is essential, which is why I created HEAR US--to give homeless children and youth voice and visibility. I'd urge curious readers to visit our website, www.hearus.us.

My 5th cross-country backroads journey, the LEARNING CURVE EXPRESS, is giving invisible homeless families and teens a chance to connect with their legislators and tell their stories, which will hopefully lead to more understanding. We can use lots of help getting word out.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Diane,

Thank you for your comment.

I went to you website, www.hearus.us, and I am very impressed with you and your work. Thank you for all you do for those in need. I encourage everyone I know to visit your website, too.

I also appreciate your comment about "sensitively shining a light on this issue." As you might imagine, I was very concerned that the title and content of this article might be offensive to some people, including homeless people.

After much thought, I concluded that these words had to be said, had to be exposed to the light and then they would dissolve away.

The light. That's what we need more of.

Where are you now? What State? How do you find the people you interview?

Let's stay in touch. I'd like that.

Christine

[mamacat]

There are more homeless teens on the streets than I have ever seen before. It is heartbreaking. I am used to seeing homeless Vets, with their thousand yard stare, but to see homeless teens, downcast and all but hopeless, is also very hard to witness.
Here in Orange Country, California, there are many volunteer efforts to help the homeless, but I fear that they are not enough. The night-time temps are down into the 40s, and how can young people without even a winter coat survive?

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Mamacat,

Thank you for your comment.

Yes, there are more unaccompanied youth than ever before. There are reports of growing numbers of "homeless students" in many States.

I will have to look into the resources available in Orange County, CA for unaccompanied youth.

A big problem that many people are aware of is the foster care system. At 18, children are out of the foster care system and often have few places where they can go next.

The YWCA in Santa Monica/West Los Angeles has a program just for such young people, girls in that case.

The bottom line is that we need to help those in need of whatever age and we certainly have the resources to help those in need. Now we need the will to help them, too.

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[kexj]

I was homeless for a short time. It was a HUGE challenge not to appear homeless; appear clean, well rested and hopeful. My heart breaks when I see the homeless and think of the physical and emotional toll of trying to get through each day. It is such a downward spiral.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Kexj,

Thanks for your comment.

And thank you for sharing part of your story about being homeless.

Would you care to share any more details about the circumstances that led to losing your home and the circumstances of how you were able to become re-housed? What State were you living in at the time? Were you able to get help? From whom?

Please don't feel pressure from all my questions. I do understand and respect any one who does not care to share.

It's just that it seems to me to be time to bring light upon the whole issue of homelessness. Details educate us and help us understand something that we might be afraid of.

We people are afraid of becoming homeless ourselves. When we explain how people can get out of homelessness, we are doing ourselves a great service. We are educating ourselves.

Once we are educated, there is no block to our compassion. Compassion can flow freely and no one will ever be afraid of becoming homeless.

As you know, not all of us are strong. Some of us need more help than others. And some challenges are tough even for the most strong among us.

My heart goes out in thankfulness that you are so strong that you can see the needs of others.

Let me know what you think. Please stay in touch,
Christine

[mamacat]

Someone I know bought a meal for a young homeless couple yesterday. The clerk at the fast food store said that that was a nice thing to do. My friend said that he had once been homeless. The clerk put her head down and said that she had also been homeless.

There is nothing to be ashamed about when circumstances make us homeless, unemployed, and broke. The shame is in not having compassion.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Mamacat,

Thanks for your comment.

Wow, you are so right! Thank you for this story. So true.

If it is alright with you, I'd like to take your idea and write an article in the future to discuss the shame and compassion relating to the issue of homelessness.

We can discuss matters very intellectually, but what it all really comes does to is compassion for those in need and shame on us for not helping.

Please let me know your thoughts about this.

Please keep in touch,
Christine

[mamacat]

Absolutely yes. Go for it, and bless you.

[Kilantra]

Christine,

I think it would be interesting to debunk the myth that homeless people are stupid. I've met some of
the most brilliant, and different minds amongst the homeless. There are also homeless who feel
that they aren't homeless, have a community, and prefer not to be 'housed'. There are homeless
from wealthy families.

People also fear homeless people in the same way that they fear people with contagious diseases, they somehow think that they will be infected with homelessness by association.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Kilantra,

Wow! What great myths to debunk!

Of course ,there are brilliant and different minds amongst homeless people. Of course, there are homeless people who don't feel homeless. have a community and may even think that they prefer not to be "housed." Of course, there are homeless people from wealthy families.

I feel like we are debunking these myths right now!!!

Yes, some people fear homeless people in the same way that they fear people with contagious diseases.

And this myth I have thought about - a lot.

HUD actually, at you probably know, defines the term, "chronically homeless person." It uses a medical term, "chronically" in an inappropriate way, to describe homeless people who have had 4 incidences of homelessness in 3 years or who have been homeless continuously for over a year.

In my opinion, this is an inappropriate and unfortunate use of the term, "chronically."

In the medical model, a chronic disease is one that is, by definition, a long term disease, and which we associate often with a disease from which a person will die.

No one dies from the fact that they have no home. Perhaps they die from exposure to the elements, lack of food, etc.

As soon as a person has an abode, they are housed. That's it. The cure to chronic homelessness is an abode, an apartment, a home.

What do you think?

Please keep in touch.

Christine

[Kim Stagliano - Huffpost Blogger]

I just heard a news story that the rate of homeless children has shot way up in either Arizona or Nevada, where foreclosures are through the roof. It told of schools with storerooms full of clothing and food, not books and supplies. Can you imagine the terror and despondence of not having a safe place for your children to sleep at night? Or the humilation for the children? Many hard luck stories pass me by without much notice. I can't get the image of homeless kids, who look like my kids, your kids, our kids, sleeping in cars or worse, under the stars - and they are not Girl and Boy Scouts.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Kim,

Thank you for your comment.

And thank you for your obvious compassion for homeless children and their families. Yes, many states are reporting dramatic increases in "student homelessness" due to the foreclosure crisis.

Also, it is very interesting to me that you think to mention Girl and Boy Scouts sleeping under the stars because I still remember when a homeless Dad, speaking in front of his children, told me, "We're not homeless, we're camping."

Children Helping Poor and Homeless People, was instrumental in helping this family get into an apartment.

However, I remember to this day how I felt when the Dad tried to save face and protect his children from thinking that they were homeless by telling me that they were just camping out.

For one moment their Dad and I shared a secret which I believe his children already knew.

Please stay in touch.
Christine

[mamacat]

I think I read somewhere that 60% of all foreclosures in the nation are here in California. There are a lot of people here who are hurting.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Mamacat,

Yes, there are many, many foreclosures in California. I've read as many as a 1,000 a week. Nevada and Florida and California, I believe, are the States with the most foreclosures.

I've also read that 1 in 7 people are being affected by foreclosures.

And we haven't even mentioned the "Tent Cities" created by formerly-housed foreclosure victims.

I'll have to do some research on this topic and write about it, for sure.

You have certainly given me a lot to write about - Thanks!

Please feel free to share the many thoughts you obviously have on this topic.

Please keep in touch,
Christine

[SMZBaker]

This really goes to show you how much personal perspective can affect a situation. It's sadly become second nature to most of us to judge quickly and not stop to think about why someone may be doing or saying something that we disagree with. The lesson in this article can be applied in all aspects of life.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, SMZBaker,

Thank you for your comment.

I agree with all you have written. We have a lot to learn, don't we! Being non-judgmental is certainly a wonderful, wonderful way to be.

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[Tulka2]

Stephen Gaskin once gave a lecture about karma and one of my friends stood up and challenged him about the principle of . She resented the idea that people are somehow on the streets as a result of their own actions.

Stephen Gaskin defended the operation of dependent arising (karma). He said, "That beggar might even be a bodistava and have chose before she was born to be a beggar so as to teach. What you can be sure of, is a set of circumstances got them there and that is their karma. Now..... If you step over that person without thinking about them or helping them, then that is YOUR karma and you will feel it sooner or later."

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Tulka2,

Thanks for your comment.

I am sorry to say that I don't know Stephen Gaskin or his work. Please enlighten me.

However, I do agree that when we ignore those in need, we act at our own personal peril.

Please stay in touch,
Christine

[Tulka2]

http://www.thefarm.org/ I was surprised to google his name. The Farm is still in Tennessee. Gaskin would tell you he is a farmer.

[dlvme2]

Many in this country are 1 or 2 paychecks away from being on the street. Children are at very high risk when they are on the streets because they are easy targets for drugs and sexual predators. Recently there was a young girl whose mother brought home strange men all the time, did drugs, drank, rarely paid the rent. The girl in 8th grade had been molested by one of her mother's boyfriends. She went for help at the school and several crisis centers no one offered her any options. This child who was a very good student had her back against the wall. At first I found it hard to believe that there was nothing in place to help her and I began checking and there was nothing. There was a shelter for a mother & children etc., but nothing just for a child wanting to escape a bad home. They offered to put her in a foster home and when she was taken there the home was not much better than what she was trying to leave. This girl got lucky as she had a friend in another state that flew her out there. Since then the young girl has graduated high school, has a job, started college. She has an entirely new life and is doing well. She was lucky. We have too many kids that become what I call throw away kids - they need other options especially if they are teens.

[Christine Schanes - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, Dlvme2,

Thank you for your comment.

You tell a very moving story about the young girl who was abused in her home and could only find real support with a friend in another state. I believe your story and think that these situations arise more often then we know.

Thank you for highlighting the plight of youth in homes and outside of homes.

Please stay in touch. By the way, if you have any myths that you would suggest that I write about, please let me know. Thanks.

Christine