Week 6: The Social Barriers to Overcoming Houselessness

“You know the worst thing about being unhoused? It’s not the cold, it’s not the starvation, it’s people pretending like I don’t exist,” a houseless person tells Carlos P. 

These past two weeks have truly reminded me why I chose this topic and have reignited my passion to address homelessness and the barriers to overcoming it. Though I have always known how urgent this topic needs attention, it was hearing quotes and listening to real life experiences that enhanced how much people that are unhoused need our support.

Talking to Carlos P., a community engagement coordinator at HomeFirst, or Danielle H, an analyst who used to work directly with houseless people, or Angela P. who works as a public guardian conservator for the County of San Mateo, or Donald O. who works as a health services manager at a public hospital, have taught me many things, but most importantly that we are the problem. Yes, there needs to be action taken on the governmental level, but the solution starts with us.

Whether it’s the looks we give them as we pass them, or the notions we have about them that makes us walk further than normal from them, we make houseless people feel inhumane. Like the houseless person told Carlos, the worst part is the way we treat them. Oftentimes, houseless people can refuse low income housing because of the strict rules that force them to come home before nighttime, and refuse any visitors from coming into their apartment. 

This past week, I met a mom who told me about her situation. She’s scared she’s going to have to move to Arizona because she doesn’t want to move into low income housing because they won’t allow her daughters to have sleepovers. People on the brink of homelessness aren’t left with too much, and for them to sacrifice things that make them human, like not being able to invite friends over, is not another thing they want to lose. This is why it’s so important for us to make them feel loved, and everything that comes with being human. We must break down our preconceived notions and open our arms to this community. With the rest of the research I have gathered, and understanding what and why certain social stigma exists, I’m writing an article for the TriCity Voice so that we all can read about why our stigma needs to be broken down. This will be the conclusion of the “social barriers” aspect of my project, and next week I will begin on the bureaucratic barriers.

See you next week!