Week 5: More on The Barriers to Overcoming Houselessness

Yo yo everyone! Or should I say chop chop everyone, as this week, I began with a quick cut. As in, a haircut! Let’s just say, those split ends were splitting! Anyways, the hair was fresh, and so was the mind, so I quickly got to work with my project.

I began the week by finishing my notes on the articles that I mentioned last week in my article. In case you forgot, I was reading about the social stigmas around homelessness and why they are worsening the issue. It’s not uncommon for people to avoid unhoused people and visibly look scared when passing them. We often criminalize them in our minds with our preconceived notions about who they are and why they are here. And it’s our willingness to ignore and avoid people who are houseless that is in turn, increasing the houseless population. We are building this stigma against houseless people together, and by ignoring them and acting like they don’t exist, we are missing out on legislation and actions we can take to help them. By making a face, or staring, we make houseless people uncomfortable with their position, encouraging them to keep their status a secret, which prevents them from seeking help. After all, a great majority of houseless people deal with mental health issues, preventing them from seeking shelter. And with our not-so-subtle actions, we are affecting their mental health, which is deepening the problem. 

When you read this blog, I will already have had my first interview with case workers, but right now I’m working on preparing the questions I will ask them. Though I hope to learn more than just this, I’m directing my interviews with case workers to focus on the bureaucratic barriers to overcoming homelessness. Therefore, I am asking questions such as, “in the long term, do you see there being any political/legislative solutions to the housing problem?” Hopefully these will give me some valuable information for my research.

As I look forward, I see these next few weeks being extremely fruitful and impactful. When I wrap up my interviews, I plan on beginning the ‘raising awareness’ part of my project. I’m excited to begin the educational part of my project, ensuring that our future change makers are knowledgeable about this important topic.

Tune in next week on more about the barriers to overcoming homelessness. Sadhwani out!