Homelessness in Media

At HomeAid Northern California we have noticed that homelessness is often inaccurately depicted throughout most media platforms. You see stereotypes of individuals struggling with addiction or mental illness that represent only 10% of the estimated 38,000 individuals who have housing insecurity in the Bay Area.  In our work partnering with BIA Bay Area members, HomeAid has found that the vast majority of unhoused Bay Area residents have one or more jobs, they are often living in their vehicle or couch surfing with friends and relatives trying to make ends meet.

 The News cycle seems to remove the basic humanity out of the statistics they provide. Individuals are no longer portrayed as people with feelings, dreams, and ideas. Instead, they become numbers – because it is easier to categorize that way.  We are shown either a success story of an individual who rose out of homelessness, or a homeless individual who was caught in a situation involving drugs or illegal activity.

Although stereotypes are not all inherently negative, they become dangerous when we begin to base our perceptions on them.  You might be surprised to learn that seniors are estimated to be the fastest-growing group experiencing housing insecurity, and nearly 20% of community college students are struggling to find housing.  It is time we change our perceptions about who is homelessness, please contact Crisand Giles to get involved in projects to end involuntary homelessness and create affordable housing solutions.