What does being homeless look like?

We often find ourselves misinformed concerning what homelessness looks like.  I admit we all have our opinions and yet few know the truth about homelessness.  We unnecessarily attach this negative persona of homelessness which creates a type of mass hysteria.  Have you heard yourself say, "I don't want those people around here", "all of them are criminals"?  It's easy to look at news media today and make that assumption.  Although it is true, some homelessness is caused by crime, evictions, wayward decisions or laziness. But that is not always the case.  As you will see in the following video, the working homeless is a growing segment in our communities.  We can hide in our cushy posh homes and pretend that this growing community does not exist or we can use the resources we have been blessed with to make a difference. 

 

Every day we work alongside people and never really know what happens when they leave the job.  Some go home to a "house" some to an apartment.  But unfortunately there is a growing number who leave work and go to local shelters, or sleep on friend’s floors or couches.  Many Americans are faced with the choice of eating or paying rent.  Let’s not talk about healthcare. They are contributors to our economy despite the belief that they are leaches off "good tax paying people” They want to be a part of our growing economy.  Yes, there are those who take advantage and make it difficult to trust those who are really in need, but the few does not outweight the need of the many.

 

The face of homelessness is not just the dirty, smelly person on the corner or under the bridge who inconveniences us with their nagging signs, “will work for food”, or “I’m hungry”.  They are the secretaries, food service workers, they are your grocers, waiters and waitresses, and they are our neighbors.  According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, Dallas County along showed a 40% increase in chronic homelessness since 2012. “People should know there are a lot of hidden homeless folks that are living in cars, or are living with friends for a little while….,” said Bill Thompson, executive director of the Union Gospel Mission, which serves the hungry and homeless. “The numbers sometimes aren’t reflective because of the different ways homelessness plays out.”

 

The truth is many of us are one paycheck away from this very position.  We are the face of homelessness.  Our situations can turn in an instant.