January Newsletter: Shattering Myths, Spreading Hope

Homelessness: Myth vs. Reality 

Imagine losing your home–not because of poor choices, but because of a medical emergency, an unexpected layoff, or skyrocketing rent. Now imagine being judged, ignored, or told that your situation is your own fault. Homelessness is a deeply misunderstood issue, often surrounded by myths that create harmful stigmas and prevent those in need from seeking help. Misconceptions can shape public perception and influence policies, making it more difficult to implement effective solutions. Due to this, addressing the differences between myths and reality regarding individuals living in homelessness is imperative to tackle this issue. 

Myth: Homeless People Don’t Want to Work

(Fred Victor)

Reality: Many individuals experiencing homelessness are employed but do not earn enough to afford stable housing. According to a 2021 report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 25-40% of homeless individuals have jobs, but also have low wages, lack of transportation, and employment gaps, making it difficult for them to secure permanent housing. The societal stigma surrounding homelessness is an issue aggravating the challenges. Many employers hold biases against hiring homeless individuals, assuming they are unreliable or unmotivated which creates further barriers. Additionally, depression, PTSD, and other mental conditions commonly experienced by those in homelessness make it hard for people to have a stable work environment and flourish. Insufficient transportation limits job opportunities as many people rely on public transit. Combating this issue requires the system to change to reduce bias and close the employment gap for homeless people. 

Myth: Homelessness Is a Choice or Result of Idleness

(Medium)

Reality: Most people do not choose to be homeless. The primary causes of homelessness–poverty, lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, medical crises, and job loss–are often beyond an individual’s control. In many cities, the cost of rent has increased while wages remain stagnated, making housing unaffordable for low-income individuals. Victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children, often flee their homes to escape dangerous situations, leaving them with nowhere else to go. In addition, natural disasters and medical expenses are unexpended costs that can drain savings and cause financial crises. Many struggle to recover from these expenditures, which is why homelessness needs to be addressed by providing proper housing, opportunities, and access to healthcare.

Myth: Homeless People Are All Addicts

(Narconon)

Reality: While some individuals experiencing homelessness do struggle with substance abuse, addiction is often a consequence rather than a cause of homelessness. Many people resort to substances to cope with their state of living. While the common conception is that addiction has a direct correlation with homelessness, it is often the opposite. Many people turn to substances to deal with stress, fear or pain and might use them to escape reality for a while. Without a home and consistent wages, it is harder to get aid to combat addiction. By providing treatment, support, and housing, people can get out of this harmful cycle and sustain a stable environment.

Myth: Homeless Shelters Are Sufficient for Homeless People

(CT Mirror)

Reality: Shelters are overcrowded and lack resources, providing only temporary relief rather than a permanent solution. Many have strict regulations, time constraints, and a limited capacity forcing people back onto the streets after some time. Furthermore, in many larger, more urban cities there are not enough resources or space to accommodate the growing number of homeless individuals in shelters, leaving many to sleep on the streets. During extreme weather conditions such as winter storms or heat waves, shelters rapidly reach maximum capacity, forcing people to fend for themselves in unsafe conditions. Overcrowding can also lead to unsanitary conditions, increasing the risk of illness and disease. Additionally, the shelters are not able to always provide proper healthcare assistance or mental health services which help break the cycle of homelessness. By providing more funding, affordable housing programs, and long-term support systems, shelters can help more people and alleviate this problem.

Myth: Homeless People Could Easily Relocate to a Cheaper Area

(NPR)

Reality: Relocating to a new area requires financial stability, transportation, access to resources–things many homeless individuals lack. Without a stable income or savings, affording even basic moving expenses is impossible. In the case that there is a possibility of starting over in a new location, gaining stable resources and necessities is very difficult for individuals who already lack access to a consistent supply of money. Many cities and locations also have strict regulations as to how many resources homeless people have access to, making their survival even harder. Homelessness is not simply about finding a new place to live; it is about rebuilding stability and securing the resources to maintain it.

Myth: Homeless People Already Have Government Assistance

(The Texas Tribune)

Reality: While government programs exist, they often lack sufficient funding, have long waitlists, or impose strict eligibility criteria that exclude many individuals. Requirements such as proof of residence, employment, or identification create additional barriers, preventing those in need from accessing aid. Even for those who qualify, assistance is often not enough to lift them out of homelessness. Without significant improvements in funding and accessibility, many homeless people remain stuck in the cycle of poverty with little hope of gaining permanent stability. 

Project Hope Haven’s January Events Recap

In January, Project Hope Haven (PHH) took up an initiative towards helping individuals experiencing homelessness by preparing over 25 care packages containing essentials and toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, pads, razors, and protein bars to ensure that people had access to basic hygiene products and nutrition. Additionally, by recognizing the harsh weather conditions in winter, especially in January, PHH also included winter necessities like gloves, hats, and thermal blankets to help individuals combat the cold weather and stay warm. The extreme snowfall and low temperatures made it even more important to distribute these life-saving items to people who did not have proper shelter. Members of PHH traveled to DC to personally hand out these packages to people in need and help support the community. Beyond providing physical items, they also offered their support and a sense of hope to those facing hardships. By doing so, PHH strengthened and showcased its commitment to making a true impact in the community. This initiative was done to give back but to also show compassion to others. By ensuring that everyone has access to essentials regardless of their circumstances, Project Hope Haven is determined to continue its mission of providing a haven of hope.

Project Hope Haven’s Mission

Project Hope Haven remains committed to combating homelessness and providing hope to vulnerable communities. By taking a hands-on approach, the organization continues to make a direct impact, one project at a time. Moving forward, Project Hope Haven plans to expand its outreach efforts, organize additional donation drives, and collaborate with local organizations to create sustainable solutions. Through collective action and compassion, Project Hope Haven strives to make a lasting difference in the fight against homelessness.

Bibliography:

Bureau, U. C. (2022). Census.gov. Census.gov. https://census.gov

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. (2025, February 7). Harvard.edu. https://jchs.harvard.edu

Homeless shelters are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 spread, deaths. (2020, March 17). The CT Mirror. https://ctmirror.org/2020/03/17/homeless-shelters-especially-vulnerable-to-covid-19-spread-deaths/

Is Addiction the Biggest Cause of Homelessness. (n.d.). Narconon New Life Retreat. https://www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/addiction-recovery/addiction-and-homelessness.html

“Just Get a Job” Why It’s Not That Easy: Homelessness and Mental Health. (2020, January 17). Fred Victor. https://www.fredvictor.org/2020/01/17/just-get-a-job-why-its-not-that-easy-homelessness-and-mental-health/

Kelly, D. (2016, April 14). The Different Faces of Homelessness - David Kelly - Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@davidkelly_4567/the-different-faces-of-homelessness-8ba445fc0bfb

Ludden, J. (2023, July 12). Why can’t we stop homelessness? 4 reasons why there’s no end in sight. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/07/12/1186856463/homelessness-rent-affordable-housing-encampments

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2016). Home - National Alliance to End Homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org

National Coalition for the Homeless. (2019). National Coalition for the Homeless. https://nationalhomeless.org

NW, 1615 L. S., Suite 800 Washington, & Inquiries, D. 20036USA202-419-4300 | M.-8.-8. | F.-4.-4. | M. (n.d.). Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center. https://pewresearch.org

Ramsey, R. (2019, October 7). Analysis: Governments don’t fix problems they don’t recognize. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/07/governments-dont-fix-problems-they-dont-recognize/

SAMHSA. (2021). SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2018). HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Hud.gov. https://www.hud.gov

Urban Institute | Social and Economic Policy Research. (n.d.). Urban Institute. https://urban.org