You’re Crazy, You Smell, You Must Be Homeless
By admin on Oct 31, 2008 in Homeless Stereotypes
I pass people in the street every day and not one of them would know that I became homeless over seven months ago and am still legally registered as such. They wouldn’t know because I do not appear to fit the homeless stereotype.
I have been using twitter to study the public perception of homeless people. The following are all comments from twitter’s public time-line posted during October. They may be positive or negative reflections but all have one thing in common. See if you can spot what that factor is.
Some homeless guy is screaming “Enter Sandman” at the top of his lungs right outside my apartment.
I just saw a homeless guy skateboarding. I love this city.
Creepy homeless woman chanting something in Latin in front of a defunct protestant church. What?
Just saw a homeless crack ho with a bloody nose on the train.
A homeless man chased me and tried to steal my bike.
There is some homeless black dude in a huge wedding dress on north ave. Wtf.
Just walked past a homeless guy talking on a cell phone near wall street.
Just saw a homeless man getting beat up by a Chinese gang….welcome to san fran.
Saw the sweetest thing: Older homeless couple acting like newly weds. Lady sitting on the man’s lap just enjoying one another’s company. wow.
A band is playing outside Starbucks. There is a drunken, bearded homeless man dancing animatedly, much to the delight of patrons.
This morning on the bus, a homeless guy who smelled like dead fish sat down next to me.
I locked the bathroom door, apparently the lock was broken. On venice beach. Homeless man walked in on me.
Some crazy homeless dude at the bar keeps flicking my arm. Wicked crazy Wicked rude.
Chased by a homeless man yesterday. Scares me that I understood his insane ranting.. Strange that he showed no interest in the pizza I held.
The homeless man on roller-blades outside the venue made my night.
I just watched a homeless guy try and hurtle a barricade. I love orlando.
Creepy hooded homeless man on tram rubbed up against me. Aaaa.
All these relate to something which someone has witnessed and none give any indication that any actual conversation took place. So the question is, how can they know that the person they saw was homeless? Of course it is possible that they also witnessed this individual sleeping in an alley on a previous occasion but I doubt it. In most cases they have made an assumption based on the individual’s appearance, odor or behavior.
I did come across some statements where terms such as potentially homeless, possibly homeless or homeless-looking were used but it was a small minority. It comes as no surprise but it seems there is a general consensus that if someone in the street appears to be a combination of either drunk, dirty, smelly or behaving erratically they are often assumed to be homeless people.
There is of course a possibility that these individuals were indeed homeless but none of the factors used to make this determination are relevant. Most people will know of alcoholics who are housed. Many will know people who are often dirty or smelly but are housed. Many will also know people who are eccentric or mentally imbalanced but are housed or in care. The only real factor that determines if someone should be classed as homeless is whether or not they have a home to go to.
The problem lies in that the average person has little awareness of what constitutes homelessness and the issues homeless people face. These myth-busting homeless statistics demonstrate that the common held homeless stereotype is clearly flawed and as a result assumptions that someone must be homeless based on their appearance or behavior are regularly misplaced.
In case you still don’t think a housed person could be mistaken for homeless here are some twitter comments which demonstrate it can and does happen.
This cute little old lady thought my brother was homeless..gave him $10.
Went to Jewel in my pajamas to buy a tomato and some bitch thought I was homeless and tried to give me change. Wtf?
I’ve been homeless twice, both times while living in Tennessee. I kept up appearances by washing my hair, clothes and person in public bathrooms. I got to know where all the “good” bathrooms were and switched which ones I used to keep from wearing out my welcome anywhere. I know it made a big difference in how people saw me and dealt with me because I didn’t ever “look homeless”
Laundry detergent, hair conditioner, shampoo & shop rags to use as towels and wash clothes are available from The 98 Cents store for a total of four dollars + tax. A worthwhile investment. (You can use some of the shampoo for soap)
Diana Lee G. | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
This is a neat bit of original reporting I wish people would do more often - you made your case beautifully using opinions already being expressed. All one had to do was find them.
The only thing I’ll ask is: Do you think that a certain type of user predominates on the Internet? For example:
“Went to Jewel in my pajamas to buy a tomato and some bitch thought I was homeless and tried to give me change. Wtf?”
is something I can imagine a considerable number of users on Digg or SU saying. The issue would be that if you do this kind of research, sometimes you have to take into account what the “online community” is already biased toward/against.
ashok | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
@Diana,
Absolutely, the homeless tend to be (by necessity) very resourceful. I recall posting a comment once that went, “As soon as I start to look like a homeless person I can expect to be treated like one.” A sentiment which you clearly understand.
@Ashok,
Your point is certainly a valid one though I do feel twitter is somewhat more representative of the general population than say digg or SU.
admin | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
Interesting. It’s funny how each had made an assumption and used the same adjective of homeless. Homeless man, homeless dude, homeless guy, homeless couple.
annemoss | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been homeless.. Thankfully I’m a rebel
http://www.quantumg.net/ol-faq.php
QuantumG | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
Your article makes a good point, I’ve never really thought about this. Although I do not generally use that stereotype, I’ve seen several people who have. There are people who come into my work for coffee everyday and I’ve had people try to get me to give them their change. (All these people have homes).
I’ve also been mistaken for homeless myself, when I was a student. I was asked several times if I knew of the places I could stay overnight during the winter.
Andrea | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
@Ashok great point..i have noticed that online communities are usually dominated by power users.
Other users begin to shape themselves to fit into the community and be a part of the network.
happy stumbling..Ashok?…AKARRAAA!!
:D 
lol I didn’t connect the dots lol happy stumbling buddy..happy stumbling.
fatcatdagg | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
What exactly is homelessness?
You know some of my story Matt, I lived up in the mountains for 6 months. I had a tent and campsite also all the privacy I could ask for as I was at least 25 miles from any civilization. My tent and campsite was my home. The stream near by was my bathtub. I was clean, I ate the nearby animals for meat and I hiked to a store every month for rice, coffee, flour, sugar and dry milk. The point is I didn’t consider myself homeless.
If a man lives in a box on an alley and he is comfortable with that is he homeless? I would think that he considers his box his home. He doesn’t have the luxuries that most of us have but he has his shelter that keeps the wind from blowing on him when he sleeps. The man who lives under the overpass has carved out his life there. He looks happy to me. He is obviously happy with his life there.
Here is the best one; We are a race of homeless people as before we had the knowledge to build houses and structures of such, we lived in caves and hollowed out logs.
When someone says HOMELESS, ask them what does that mean exactly? Lets see what kind of answers you get.
Thanks Matt, I understand your passion with stereotyping.
Donald B. Dousharm | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
great post.
the “average” homeless person has changed a great deal in the past several years. but still, these “crazy, smelly” stereotypes persist. if the public had any idea what the reality of our homeless situation looked like - which would mean understanding that children, elderly, and veterans are all affected - perhaps there would be greater pressure on lawmakers to put an end to this atrocity.
homelessness.change.org
Shannon | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
Hi Don,
Thanks for contributing. It can indeed be difficult to differentiate. A proportion of it at least comes down to choice. It is extremely rare though for a person to become homeless by choice but it is true that a minority do choose to remain that way.
Your own situation was quite unusual in that you possess certain skills which enable you to cope quite effectively. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who find themselves facing homelessness are not so well equipped.
admin | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
@Shannon,
It’s good to see you here. Since it is both appropriate and useful I have converted your home page note into a link. Keep up the great work you are doing over there,
Matt.
admin | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
Similarilly to Donald above, I am at times without what most people would consider a ‘home’. For about 1/2 of the last 3 years I have lived in a tent 20+ miles from town, on a piece of land my friend owns. It’s beautiful, quiet, I have a great view of the Continental Divide, I get to awaken to birdsong every morning.
I work in town at a high tech job, also have worked at several non-profits, and do graphic design (shameless plug - http://cafepress.com/primordialzoo ). Showers at the rec center or at work, maybe not totally convenient, but enough to stay clean and healthy.
Am I ‘homeless’ when I do this? I don’t think so. I actually get a little depressed when the seasons change and Colorado winters mean it’s time to move into some overpriced rental for 6 months. My head is my only real ‘home’.
arnie | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Added: I don’t wish to belittle the plight of those who are without decent housing and support services against their will, only to acknowledge the original intent of the article, that the concept of homeless is not as simple as it first seems.
arnie | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
If this was Slashdot, I’d rate +5 Ominous. Having slept on a box under a bridge for a few nights at the end of brief bout of homelessness at 19 — I felt this was a must-link article, so *clicks Publish*
Nathan Hawks | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Another killer post, my friend - loved it! Also greatly enjoyed your mythbusting post as well; please keep cranking it out! We are so desperately in need of rational voices as the madness of ignorance around us continues expanding rather than contracting….
Steven | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
I really enjoy reading your posts. I think they are gifts wrapped in truth(well, they are to me, I don’t know if you consider them to be gifts). if you ever publish a book, I think your title lies right here:
Went to Jewel in my pajamas to buy a tomato and some bitch thought I was homeless and tried to give me change. Wtf?
~ peace ~
Tracy R | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
I made a conscious decision to fall into stereotypes. Because I’m still the same person just in a different circumstance
Homeless Girl | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
sorry let me make a correction: to not fall into stereotypes
Homeless Girl | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
you’re right. people stereotype by looks or smell or something like that. then again, matt, stereotypes exist for a reason. the avrg homeless guy or girl probably has looks like they’ve been out for a bit, bearded maybe and may smell like alcohol. it’s sad that it exists but it’s probably true for many. not ALL though. you told me once that you shaved when you could. i met a man who dressed very nice, did odd jobs around the city and bought cloths at salvation army…he didn’t smell at all either, didn’t drink, but slept on a bench every night. when i lived out of my car- i found ways to shower or stay looking well…those who know their resources can often accomadate themeselves…
ash | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
I work for my state’s welfare department, where my caseload is largely comprised of homeless clients. While I agree that the stereotype of “crazy, smelly hobo” is exists for a reason, this is mostly due to a pitiful lack of affordable services for the mentally ill. In simplistic terms, many, many people who are homeless end up that way because they are crazy. I have noticed with my own clients that, if they can manage to get psychiatric help, they will frequently get off the streets and into some form of permanent housing.
Steph | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Would just like to say something about the posts of Donald & Arnie, to my way of thinking, there is a HUGE difference between someone who enjoys living in the great outdoors under the stars (the “back-to-the land,” “what’s a grid?-as in living off it-” folks)and someone who is living that way because A. they have to & B. they don’t want to. Matt is quite right concerning the issue of “choice.” When my son was in college, he phoned me to say, “Mom, I feel like I’m buying into the system.” My response was, “Finish your education, have all the doors open to you, then go live on the mountain top because that is what you choose to do, not because you have to do it.” Since that time, I have become accutely aware (as a result of having been homeless myself), that one’s education alone cannot save them from the experience of homelessness.
Rev. Cynthia | Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
I never fit the stereotypes when my kids and I were homeless for 3 long months either. I worked full-time, bathed regularly - found ways to be resourceful, & of course, had a wonderful boss! Having his support and having internal resources really were key; that and getting on Section 8 housing.
I now work for a very small nonprofit (www.phpnw.org)case managing and advocating for adults with disabilities. Many of my clients are or have been homeless - not because it’s what they’ve chosen but because their disabilities have interfered with their ability to stay employed, yet SSA doesn’t consider their disabilities to be “severe” enough (are you aware that the denial rate for SSA is around 70%?). Some of them have mental health issues, but none that qualify them as “crazy”. And seriously, if you had to deal with survival issues, disabilities, rejection, lack of income, etc., it’s very possible that you’d also have panic/anxiety, PTSD or severe depression affecting your ability to deal with life in general.
The majority of my clients have no medical or prescription coverage, so of course, their disabilities and health issues worsen exponentially. And while most of them receive food stamps there are no programs that provide $ - and you can’t buy personal care items or do laundry with food stamps. So, the more their cleanliness is affected, the more their isolation and depression deepens.
At People Helping People, I meet each of my clients at whatever point in life they exist in at the time - no negative judgement. I typically begin by connecting them with medical care and prescription assistance. I sign them up for our TEN (Things Everyone Needs) program, which gives them essential personal care and cleaning items and helps with the cost of laundry. From there, my advocacy and case work takes direction from their individual needs.
Over the past few months, almost a dozen of our clients have become housed and five others have been able to return to work. It’s incredible what a difference access to health care, medications and self-care have made in their lives, and even more incredible that people just don’t seem to “get” such a simple, life-affirming concept!
So, next time someone finds themself sitting next to a person in a public place and assuming they haven’t bathed and/or are homeless - instead of judging and throwing all that negativity around - make a donation! Make a difference! Don’t tear people down. Do something to help rebuild lives instead.
There are so many people who are forgotten by the rest of us because of our judgments…we seem to think that our judgements make our responsibility/awareness disappear, but they only serve to make other human beings invisible. Societies, systems, services, etc. based on punitive concepts have never served to make the world a better place, and never will!
Cynthia H | Dec 26, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your input, Cynthia and absolutely, I could not agree more. I have already been taking a look at your website and the work you perform is highly commendable and must make a considerable and invaluable impact on so many people’s lives.
I would urge other readers to check it out too:
http://www.phpnw.org
admin | Dec 27, 2008 | Reply
You make an excellent point. I was “homeless” in Toronto for 10 years but i never once slept on a sidewalk. I always had a camp or squat which was my HOME BASE. I think the differentiation between homeless and housed is, Do I have a permanent municipal residence that is legally acceptable by the authorities? Since a tent or squat or shack is not considered permanent or legally acceptable I would be classified a homeless although truth be know I was always comfortable and secure in my makeshift lodgings.
http://downbutnotout.synthasite.com/
Ronzig | Dec 28, 2008 | Reply
This is a great topic. I wonder if even the term homeless is deployed by some to mask the issue of poverty. Homelessness is discussed as if it’s a character flaw, an inherent shortcoming, punishment, a death sentence. The reality is that the homeless are homeless because they don’t have homes. Poverty is the issue. Affordable housing is the issue. Caring for our most vulnerable is what’s needed, not speculation on whether distorting stereotypes are accurate.
Noah Jennings | Jan 3, 2009 | Reply