Why Are People Homeless? Is it By Choice or Circumstance?
The issue of homelessness can be polarizing. Opinions about why it’s happening — and who it’s happening to — vary across demographics. As a regular volunteer at homeless shelters and an advocate for the homeless population, I have heard countless comments and opinions from friends and acquaintances over the years. They often have a lot to say about “these people” and whether choice or circumstance has left them living on the streets. Here are a few quotes they have shared with me over the years and even recently:
“Many of these people choose to live this way. Especially, the ones who are crazy with mental health problems.”
“They are drug addicts and alcoholics. They will only use the money I give them to get drugs or alcohol. They’re bums and losers. They’re lazy.”
“The people that are on the streets who use drugs and commit crimes are pieces of crap and they get everything they deserve. “
“What’s the government doing about this? It’s their job to clean this mess up.”
“I care about the homeless, but I do not want these people living in my community. It will put my family in danger and the value of my home will decline.”
As people angrily debate these perceptions in city council and town hall meetings, the numbers rise and more die from being homeless. For nearly four years, I was a volunteer at Los Angeles Mission, which is on Skid Row in Downtown LA. Before that I volunteered at City Gospel Mission in Cincinnati. The reality is that these places are filled with compassion, empathy, nurturing, and love.
Here is just some of what I have learned in the last five years about “these people”:
1. Many of them are victims of toxic relationships involving emotional, sexual or physical abuse. On a recent tour of the Covenant House, I was told that 25% of its teen guests were victims of sex trafficking and forced prostitution. Further, it’s been found that 80% of homeless 12- to 21-year old’s have drug or alcohol problems. And while they aren’t homeless (yet), there are 4.2 million single, at-risk mothers who are lacking the support and resources to care for their children.
2. According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, homeless people are more severely impacted than the general population by social determinants of health that can lead to increased mortality, chronic health conditions, mental illness, substance use, and risky health behaviors. For every age group, homeless persons are three time more likely to die than the general population. In addition, the average life span of a homeless person is about 17.5 years shorter than that of the general population.
3. Mental health and addiction issues of many homeless people are left untreated. Genetic pre-disposition, environment, and abusive relationships are the main contributors of these diseases. People do not choose to become addicts and mentally unstable. The media may conduct interviews with some who say they prefer to be homeless, but in reality, these individuals simply prefer being safe from the hazardous, abusive and life-threatening environments that they lived in before. And sadly, for some this is the only life they have ever known.
4. Untreated mental health and addiction also contributes to higher crimes rates. And historically, crime rates are lower in cities and countries where there is little to no poverty. At the same time, people in poverty are often unable to get proper treatment or any treatment at all. Without the necessities and the proper support and tools, it is true many of these people turn to crime for food, clothing, shelter and medical care. What do you do if your choice is to steal or see your child die?
There have been times when I have chosen to turn a blind eye to people on the streets due to my own ignorance and fear. Volunteering to help “these people” has taught me so much about compassion, empathy, forgiveness and love. I have seen more than anything how grateful “these people” are for the care and nurturing they receive and the opportunity to live a better life.
And, because of their gratitude many of them want to give back to their communities. None of “these people” came in from the outside on a winning streak. And many of them have made the choice to not be victims. While some may still choose to live this way out of fear, I believe that is the exception and not the rule. Many just need a chance to learn how to live a better life. Taking them off the streets is one thing. Teaching them how to live an empowered life with more courage and less fear is another.
Many politicians believe that we can simply build our way out of this crisis, meaning building more shelters. This is only the beginning. The focus must be placed on implementing longer-term solutions to ensure the homeless have the best chance to remain off the streets. In Los Angeles, the city is spending hundreds of millions every year in homeless shelter development, yet the homeless population increased 16% from the previous year.
I believe we all deserve a fair opportunity to acquire the necessary tools and skills to survive and thrive in society and participate in decisions that affect our lives. I believe that addiction and mental health are diseases and not choices. I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to get treatment and to learn how to live clean and sober with their basic needs met, including food, clothing, shelter, love and support that we need and deserve.
What do you believe?
Steve is a visionary, advocate for the homeless, and accomplished entrepreneur and business leader. Steve is the Founder and CEO of Believe in Big Change, a global community dedicated to solving the world’s homelessness problem by giving single at-risk mothers the best possible tools, skills and platforms to provide for and lead their families, communities, and countries. Steve is a recovering alcoholic who created Believe in Big Change to provide hope, strength and inspiration to those struggling with addiction, mental health and other disorders and conditions.
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