Shattering the Homeless Stereotype

Homeless people are in every major city. They are easy to spot, wheeling grocery carts or carrying bags filled with their belongings, sleeping on park benches or sitting in front of buildings. That is how many people think of homeless people. However, the face of homelessness has changed over the years thanks to the recession. No longer is it for just for people addicted to drugs and/or alcohol or people with mental problems or people especially teens who were just irresponsible and were put out or ran away from home. These days with many people living pay check to pay check, anybody you meet can be homeless a little while after receiving a pink slip.

They can look healthy, dress well and drive around in a car, but at night they sleep in a shelter, on the streets or they just sleep wherever they can. They are fed at homeless shelters, soup kitchens or churches and wander around during the day or they can even be employed at low paying jobs. So why are they homeless?
Reasons vary but some can’t afford to get a place of their own. I talked to a homeless guy once who said he has a sister who he had lived with for a while, but left because he couldn’t stand her talking down to him anymore. Many say if you don’t have a family or an addiction, you don’t get affordable housing. Also, a lot of people fall through the cracks and end up being homeless. So next time you see a homeless person, don’t assume they are addicts or have issues. That’s just a stereotype. Realize that no condition is permanent and be kind.

A word is enough for the wise...