Read the Homeless Alliance “Myths and Facts” Pamphlet here
Myth:. “People are homeless because they don’t want to work”
Fact: 40% of the work-eligible homeless in Buffalo and Erie County are employed. While many still lack employment, those who are employed cannot afford a home with their wages. The affordable rent for the average wage earner in Erie County is $468, almost $150 lower per month than the fair market rent for the greater Buffalo area ($616).
Many must decide between paying for food or paying for housing and remain one emergency away from homelessness. The National Low Income Housing Coalition identifies an hourly wage of $11.85 as necessary to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in Buffalo, yet the average hourly wage locally is $9.00.
Additionally, 42% of homeless and very low income individuals surveyed by the Homeless Alliance stated that they had to turn down a job in the last 6 months because there was not a transportation route (metro rail, bus line, etc.) to get there.
Myth: “Those who are homeless choose to be homeless”
Fact: In surveys conducted by The Homeless Alliance, the greatest need identified by those experiencing homelessness was safe and affordable housing . Shelter allowances provided by the Department of Social Services ($214 per month for a single parent with children) fall far short of the fair market rent for the greater Buffalo metropolitan area ($616), often leaving safe, adequate, and affordable housing out of reach.
Myth: “Everyone who is homeless is mentally ill or addicted to drugs”
Fact: The majority of those receiving assistance from area shelters do not suffer from mental illness or chemical addiction. In fact, according to Homeless Alliance data, less than a quarter (24%) experience mental illness and less than a third (29%) experience chemical addiction. Many of these experience a “dual diagnosis,” meaning that they experience both conditions concurrently, so there is significant overlap among the aforementioned groups. Those experiencing homelessness in Erie County may include families, victims of domestic violence, the developmentally disabled, or veterans.
In a survey of persons experiencing homelessness in Greater Buffalo, a majority of respondents cited a lack of income as the reason for their homelessness. Among first-time homeless persons, loss of work was a key factor, and for individuals who experienced homelessness two or more times, lack of affordable housing was commonly discussed.
Myth: “There aren’t many homeless people on the streets of Buffalo, so it isn’t a big problem.”
Fact: The homeless are not only those we see on the street. The homeless that are on the streets make up a small percentage of the local homeless population (11%). Many of those experiencing homelessness stay doubled up with friends or family (41%) yet lack a consistent place to live, while others reside in emergency shelters (22%), while 8% reside in hotels or motels. Additionally, monthly shelter counts collected in Erie County report an increased demand for emergency housing for families, indicating a rising incidence of family homelessness. Currently, one-third of those experiencing homelessness locally are families.
Myth: “People become homeless because they can’t manage their money.”
Fact: There are a variety of reason that members of our community become homeless. For example, an illness can lead to job loss and debt, which can in turn lead to rental arrears, resulting in eventual eviction. Other causes of homelessness include domestic violence, loss of public assistance, physical disabilities that are a barrier to employment, or unsafe housing conditions.
Myth: “There are a lot of people who just want to rip off the system and live off the government.”
Fact: In a study of homeless and very low-income persons frequenting soup kitchens and food pantries conducted by the Homeless Alliance, those receiving public assistance such as Food Stamps and Medicaid at the time of the study were less likely to be homeless. However, the grants available for public assistance have not been raised significantly in many years and the cost of basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation, and health care have risen significantly.
Myth: “Some people will always be homeless”
Fact: 23% of the homeless population nationwide are identified as chronically or long-term homeless. While this population has been difficult to serve in traditional service models, new models are emerging around the country that are assisting the chronically homeless in becoming self-sufficient. Safe Haven programs that offer -but do not require-supportive services to residents, and Housing First models which place homeless families and individuals directly into housing units (offering services once housed) are showing promising results around the country to assist the chronically homeless. The Homeless Alliance in partnership with the community has developed PRISM: Buffalo and Erie County’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. PRISM identifies Prevention of homelessness, increased access to community Resources, Independence through housing, improved Services through increased collaboration, and Maintenance through aftercare of those exiting the homeless service system as the key strategies for ending homelessness. Working in collaboration, we can end homelessness in our community.
Myth: “Some people will always be homeless”
Fact: 23% of the homeless population nationwide are identified as chronically or long-term homeless. While this population has been difficult to serve in traditional service models, new models are emerging around the country that are assisting the chronically homeless in becoming self-sufficient. Safe Haven programs that offer -but do not require-supportive services to residents, and Housing First models which place homeless families and individuals directly into housing units (offering services once housed) are showing promising results around the country to assist the chronically homeless.
The Homeless Alliance in partnership with the community has developed PRISM: Buffalo and Erie County’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. PRISM identifies Prevention of homelessness, increased access to community Resources, Independence through housing, improved Services through increased collaboration, and Maintenance through aftercare of those exiting the homeless service system as the key strategies for ending homelessness. Working in collaboration, we can end homelessness in our community.
I like that you’ve differentiated here between the chronically homeless and short-term homeless populations. I think a lot of people really lump the two groups together, but the truth is that many people only experience homelessness for a short time because most communities have resources to help people that have fallen on hard luck. The chronically homeless tend to be those with more severe health problems, including mental health and substance abuse issues that may prevent or preclude them from seeking the help they need. These problems can also make them harder to serve. In the end, however, the chronically homeless are perhaps those who need our help the most when adapting to life off the streets.