Humanizing Homelessness: Uncovering The Truth of the System Through Those Experiencing it

 By Micah Beach

The word homeless has become a target of numerical values. 

Now, more than ever, the political spectrum classifies people living in poverty as nothing more than a problem to fix, rather than a means of understanding first. When looking at such a large statistic, such as homelessness, especially in the Portland Metropolitan area, it’s easy to understand why annoyance from taxpayers has become so loud, as millions of dollars sweep through to the streets with little to no signs of improvement. But while the attempt to prevent an increase in poverty continues, so does the increase in dehumanization. 

This is the case that Kevin Dahlgren makes, a disruptor of the homeless Industrial Complex who seeks to talk directly with those in need in order to figure out the flaws of the system, specifically in Portland. In his article, Addiction: A weapon of self-destruction, he explains that to understand the homelessness epidemic best, you must first interact with those who are caught in the middle of it. 

Kevin points out that those with degrees who have studied this problem for years are only able to view the issue as political, thereby diminishing its significance. It's the interactions with those in poverty that truly begin to answer those questions. You've got to “understand it from their perspective—someone who lives it every day.” (Dahlgren, 2025)

Instead of fixating on the matter as issues that need to be swept under the rug, we need to start with the problem and ask why. We need to start at the root.

Portland may be losing its dependability when it comes to severe issues such as these. Still, once the right questions get asked, we might actually be able to figure out a solution for treatment and sustainable care, instead of spending millions of dollars in hopes that those experiencing drug addictions, mental illness, and poverty will fix themselves. 

It’s an understanding issue first, something you won’t be able to see from a political point of view.

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Why should we humanize those in need? Click here to see the full picture through the lens of Kevin Dahlgren.

References:

Dahlgren, Kevin. “Addiction: A Weapon of Self Destruction.” Truth on the Streets, Truth on the Streets, 2 Sept. 2025, truthonthestreets.substack.com/p/addiction-a-weapon-of-self-destruction.

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/portland-homeless-spending-funds-report-research-econorthwest/283-f1e87735-f00d-4e7b-b957-d0656ec12c89