Homeless Myths and Facts
"And homeless near a thousand homes I stood, And near a thousand tables pined and wanted food." - William Wordsworth
Myth: Not many children are homeless.
Fact:Children make up at least 20% of the homeless population. Families with children is the fastest growing group of homeless. Nationally, one in five people in a soup kitchen line is a child. Many homeless children are alone and homeless, either runaways or "throwaways".
Myth:Most of them are mentally ill.
Fact:The mentally ill comprise about 25% of the national total homeless. Many are unable to access mental health services and are too ill to stay in a shelter.
Myth:They are heavy drug and alcohol users.
Fact:Some homeless are substance abusers; research suggests one in four. Many of these are included in the 25% who are mentally ill.
Myth:They want to be that way.
Fact:Less than six percent of the homeless are homeless by choice.
Myth:They don't work.
Fact:30% of the homeless are employed on a full-time or part-time basis. Someone who works full-time at a minimum-wage job takes home about $900.00 per month and is at great risk for homelessness. Many people in the Grand Traverse Region pay 50%-60% of their income for housing.
Myth:They are to blame for their own situation.
Fact:Most homeless people are victims. Some have suffered from child abuse or domestic violence. 20% are children. Many are mentally ill. Many have lost their jobs after years of employment. All have lost their homes.
Myth:They are dangerous.
Fact:In general, the homeless are among the least threatening and most vulnerable group in our society. If anything, they are the victims of crimes, not the perpetrators.
Myth:The homeless are only in large urban areas.
Fact:The homeless are found not only in large cities, but in small towns, rural areas, and affluent suburbs. There are many homeless in northern Michigan.
Myth:The homeless are uneducated and unemployable
Fact:Many homeless people have completed high school; some have attended college and even graduate school.
Phone: 231-922-4890
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