Myths About Homelessness
MYTH – People choose to be homeless.
TRUTH – There are at least 45 applications for tiny homes in the Colville area.
If these homeless individuals were choosing to be homeless, why would they apply for housing? The truth is that most people would choose shelter rather than homelessness.
If these homeless individuals were choosing to be homeless, why would they apply for housing? The truth is that most people would choose shelter rather than homelessness.
MYTH – People are homeless because of poor choices.
TRUTH – Any of us could end up without shelter, through no fault of our own.
What do we mean by poor choices? All of us could make better choices. We don’t exercise enough, or we stay up too late, or we eat the wrong kinds of food or we engage in high risk behaviors. On the other hand, people don’t choose to have mental illness. People don’t choose to lose their jobs or develop medical illnesses or have the landlords increase the rent or move them out in order to sell the place where they live. These are some of the drivers of homelessness.
What do we mean by poor choices? All of us could make better choices. We don’t exercise enough, or we stay up too late, or we eat the wrong kinds of food or we engage in high risk behaviors. On the other hand, people don’t choose to have mental illness. People don’t choose to lose their jobs or develop medical illnesses or have the landlords increase the rent or move them out in order to sell the place where they live. These are some of the drivers of homelessness.
MYTH – It’s too expensive to house homeless people.
TRUTH – We would save money.
Actually, the evidence from the best studies in the country says we would save 50% in medical expenses and 80% in legal expenses by housing people early rather than leave them without shelter. We would save money by adopting policies to move people to shelter early, and everyone would come out ahead.
Actually, the evidence from the best studies in the country says we would save 50% in medical expenses and 80% in legal expenses by housing people early rather than leave them without shelter. We would save money by adopting policies to move people to shelter early, and everyone would come out ahead.
MYTH – Life on the streets is a fun adventure.
TRUTH – No, it’s not. It’s dangerous.
There are security risks. There are increased risks for medical and mental illness, addiction, violence, loss of personal goods, sexual abuse, and transportation challenges. Life on the streets is no picnic.
There are security risks. There are increased risks for medical and mental illness, addiction, violence, loss of personal goods, sexual abuse, and transportation challenges. Life on the streets is no picnic.
MYTH – There is no homeless problem in Stevens County.
TRUTH – There are more than you realize.
There are 270 homeless children registered in Stevens County schools, 73 in the Colville School system alone according to Pete Lewis, Superintendent of the Colville School District. We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a serious problem of homelessness in Stevens County, and this problem spills over into our overcrowded jails and emergency rooms.
There are 270 homeless children registered in Stevens County schools, 73 in the Colville School system alone according to Pete Lewis, Superintendent of the Colville School District. We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a serious problem of homelessness in Stevens County, and this problem spills over into our overcrowded jails and emergency rooms.
MYTH – Helping homeless people will increase homelessness.
TRUTH – That is simply not true.
This is like saying that working on alcoholism will increase the number of alcoholics. Does working on diabetes increase the number of diabetics? The answer is no. It just shines a light on the problem.
This is like saying that working on alcoholism will increase the number of alcoholics. Does working on diabetes increase the number of diabetics? The answer is no. It just shines a light on the problem.
MYTH – All homeless people could be housed tonight if they would cooperate.
TRUTH – This is clearly a myth.
Hope Street has 45 applications for tiny homes. There is no way that the service agencies like Rural Resources could absorb 45 families into housing tonight. Theresa Daley told us recently that she had a caseload of 55. Cruz Thompson told us that his caseload is about 50. The truth is, the service agencies are doing everything that they can, but they are not able to meet all of the needs. That is why Hope Street exists, to come alongside and partner with other agencies that are working on this important and growing concern.
Hope Street has 45 applications for tiny homes. There is no way that the service agencies like Rural Resources could absorb 45 families into housing tonight. Theresa Daley told us recently that she had a caseload of 55. Cruz Thompson told us that his caseload is about 50. The truth is, the service agencies are doing everything that they can, but they are not able to meet all of the needs. That is why Hope Street exists, to come alongside and partner with other agencies that are working on this important and growing concern.
MYTH – You are giving too much stuff away and not expecting accountability.
TRUTH – Hope Street is not a give-away program.
People have to pay. Prices are kept low and we don’t charge interest. Investment of time and talents is expected, but housing comes as early in the process as we can. People who benefit from Hope Street can participate in a number of ways, including telling their stories, passing out information, building the next tiny house, or shopping for materials for us on line, etc.
People have to pay. Prices are kept low and we don’t charge interest. Investment of time and talents is expected, but housing comes as early in the process as we can. People who benefit from Hope Street can participate in a number of ways, including telling their stories, passing out information, building the next tiny house, or shopping for materials for us on line, etc.
MYTH – People should clean up their act, get treatment, and get a job before they get a house.
TRUTH – Early housing is more effective.
Actually, the evidence says that getting shelter early (called “Housing First”) is more effective and more likely to create success than using housing as a big carrot that we wave in front of people. At Hope Street, we believe in connecting shelter that is affordable and respectful to services needed to help people be successful.
Actually, the evidence says that getting shelter early (called “Housing First”) is more effective and more likely to create success than using housing as a big carrot that we wave in front of people. At Hope Street, we believe in connecting shelter that is affordable and respectful to services needed to help people be successful.
MYTH – What you have to contribute won’t make a difference. The problem is too big.
TRUTH – All of us together are already making a difference.
We have already facilitated the creation of two tiny homes in 2017, with work started on two more for 2018. We are working on the creation of a Hope Street Center in partnership with Community Partnerships for Mental Health and others. This would be a center for services like laundry, showers, lockers, mailboxes, peer counseling, and education all under one roof. Creating tiny homes and tiny cottages for temporary and permanent housing solutions. We will partner with anyone willing to respectfully work with us on ending homelessness. Many of you have said yes. Thank you. Together we will change the way things are and help others to do the right thing.
We have already facilitated the creation of two tiny homes in 2017, with work started on two more for 2018. We are working on the creation of a Hope Street Center in partnership with Community Partnerships for Mental Health and others. This would be a center for services like laundry, showers, lockers, mailboxes, peer counseling, and education all under one roof. Creating tiny homes and tiny cottages for temporary and permanent housing solutions. We will partner with anyone willing to respectfully work with us on ending homelessness. Many of you have said yes. Thank you. Together we will change the way things are and help others to do the right thing.
