"Homeless" or "Houseless"

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Image courtesy of Pinterest.com
 

There is a stigma that surrounds the word homeless and a lack of empathy that is carried with it. When people think of the word homeless, they may envision an unstable individual who may have substance abuse problems, mental health issues, and financial instability. The truth is that being homeless, doesn’t mean that someone is without a home. 


“Because a house (or housing) is just a place. It is simply a physical space that they currently do not have.” While a “Home is so much more than a physical space"
  - dogoodmultnomah.org




By calling individuals who are experiencing houselessness homeless, you may be stripping away that person’s preference to connection and community. Some people choose to be houseless because they have a greater sense of community among others who are also houseless. The negative stigma of someone who is seen as unstable creates a difficult understanding of how someone can achieve their goals. Some people are forced to live in the streets or without a home because of the possibility of mental health problems or simply not obtaining enough income to support themselves. This doesn’t mean that they are without a home because a home can be something that a person feels connected to, such as being a transient and consistently traveling. 


Image courtesy of Pinterest.com


As a society, it’s important to shift our thinking in terms of addressing the issues regarding houselessness and get rid of the negative connotation that is associated with the word homeless. By using the word houseless, we are making a conscious effort to empower those who cannot regularly do so, and we are able to engage in conversation regarding the solutions of those who are without a house. By using the word houseless, we are providing them with the dignity, respect, and inclusion that they deserve. We need to be able to listen to the needs of those who are struggling from lack of inclusion and learn about how their values and answers can be met. 

 

Author: S. Ivey




Resources regarding the change in finding solutions for the houseless situation can be found here: 

https://dogoodmultnomah.org

 



Supporting your local community: 

“When you give to Street Roots, you create an opportunity for people experiencing poverty to earn an income, build a livelihood and job skills, and make valuable community connections.”

https://www.streetroots.org/support





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