Myths and Facts

D   Myth: "People choose to be homeless"

        Fact: While there may be small percentage of the homeless population who do chose to  live their life that way, the majority do not. Many homeless people are victims of              circumstance.

D Myth: "I should be scared of the homeless because they want to rob me"

       Fact:    While it might be startling to see a homeless person, there is no reason to be scared of him or her. They are a human being, just like you, who possess the same basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter. The only difference is that the homeless person is not having their basic needs met, which does not imply they are thieves.

D Myth: "Homeless people are just lazy, why don't they get a job like the rest of us?"

        Fact: People who are homeless WANT to work. Sometimes they can not due to mental or physical disabilities. Once a person becomes homeless, it becomes nearly impossible to get a job. This is because the homeless person has no address or phone number. If a homeless person calls a potential job at 9 a.m. from a shelter, or pay phone, the job has no way of reaching that person later. Do not forget that if you have no where to live, it is hard to stay up on personal cleanliness, which many jobs look for when hiring applicants.

D  Myth: "People who beg for money only spend it on cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Why should I support the reasons that made them homeless to begin with?

        Fact: Not every person who is homeless is an addict. Unfortunately, everyone needs money in order to live and when you are homeless, money is usually scarce or nonexistent. Instead of thinking what that homeless person is going to spend your money on, think of how much humility it takes that person to ask strangers for money and beg in the streets just to eat.

 D Myth: "All homeless people are dirty and smell"

        Fact: Much of the homeless population disguise themselves to the public. All because the guy in front of you at 7-11 buying coffee is wearing a suit does not mean he has a place to live. Sometimes, people forced into homelessness pretend everything is fine until they have no more resources left. Also, shelters and often other establishments offer showers free or at a minimal cost to the public. Many soup kitchens distribute hygiene kits to the homeless too.

D Myth: "Homeless people are unemployable"

        Fact: When a person becomes homeless, they do not lose their job skills, just a place to live. Most are capable and willing to work, just waiting for someone to look past their homelessness and give them an opportunity.