This World Homeless Day, we’re setting the record straight on some common misconceptions about homelessness and the people behind the statistics.
Myths and stereotypes around homelessness are not harmless. They can perpetuate the shame and abuse faced by people experiencing homelessness every day, and they can keep urgent issues in the shadows. The three misconceptions we want to highlight today are:
1. If you’re not rough sleeping, you’re not really homeless
While it’s the most visible form of homelessness, rough sleeping is only one of many forms of homelessness in the UK. We need to recognise all forms of homelessness to understand the true scale of the issue across the UK and here in Oxfordshire.
Rough sleeping: Rough sleeping is the most visible type of homelessness. It includes people who are sleeping outside or in spaces that aren’t designed for people to live in, like cars or train stations.
Families in temporary accommodation: Local authorities have a duty to find a home for families or individuals who are experiencing homelessness and fit ‘priority need’ criteria. These people are initially offered temporary housing and support to secure a settled home.
Individuals experiencing homelessness: Individuals or couples who do not meet priority need criteria do not qualify for accommodation from their local authority, instead they may stay in short-term accommodation or supported accommodation like ours.
Hidden homelessness: The term ‘hidden homeless’ refers to people who are not visibly homeless or are not known to the local authorities. They may be sofa-surfing, staying with family or sleeping out of sight in places like A&E waiting rooms or on public transport. Women experiencing homelessness are more likely to be ‘hidden’.
2. Everyone has the same risk of becoming homeless
You’ve probably heard recently that many of us are ‘just one pay cheque away’ from homelessness. While it’s true that more people are living pay cheque to pay cheque due to incomes that are failing to keep up with the rapidly rising cost of living, this headline risks simplifying an extremely complex issue.
There is rarely one cause of homelessness. Particularly in the case of entrenched homelessness, it is most often the result of multiple disadvantage – social issues, systemic inequalities and negative life events. This might include poverty, discrimination, institutional care, domestic abuse in the home, adverse childhood experiences and relationship breakdown. Physical and mental health issues and drug and alcohol use can also be both a cause and result of housing insecurity.
Homelessness isn’t just an income issue or a housing issue. It’s a social welfare and political issue that desperately needs a cross-government and cross-sector response.
3. People experiencing homelessness are all addicts, criminals, scary…
We’ve all seen the offensive ‘AI Homeless Man prank’ being used on Snapchat and TikTok. Stereotypes like this are dangerous and can perpetuate the violence and abuse inflicted upon people experiencing homelessness every day.
Our residents are all individuals with unique experiences and their own hopes, fears and ambitions, yet we hear stories like the one shared below all too often. People experiencing homelessness deserve the same level of respect and understanding as anyone else.
“I think the thing that frustrates me the most is people just forgetting that they are a human being, they’re a brother, a sister, a father, an uncle, somebody’s child.
I met a guy recently who said that most Friday nights people that are out having a drink stop in the doorway and urinate on him. And I just think they just don’t see that person as a human anymore.”
– Staff member, Homeless Oxfordshire
What actions can you take on World Homeless Day?
- ACKNOWLEDGE: If you see someone sleeping rough today (and you feel comfortable doing so), be the person that says hello – it might be the only positive interaction they have today
- HELP: If you’re concerned about someone who’s sleeping rough, you can help them get the support they need by making an alert through StreetLink
- SHARE: Share this story with your friends, family and connections to help us build awareness of homelessness in Oxfordshire
- GIVE: Give some of the most vulnerable people in your community the gift of a fresh start – donate to Homeless Oxfordshire today
