Stereotypes, False Narratives and Truth

Homelessness is often discussed through stereotypes — lazy, criminal, addicted, or unwilling to work. But in reality those assumptions overlook the reality people living on the streets face and who they are.

Forty years ago, when I myself was homeless, along with over 20 years working with the homeless, I have never met anyone who chose to be homeless, it wasn’t in the plan, on their goal sheet, or their storyboard.

Matthew’s Hope, serves more than 600 people weekly throughout Brevard, and we are working to challenge some of the most persistent myths surrounding homelessness while focusing on long-term solutions that help people regain stability, independence and self-sustainability.

One of the most common misconceptions is that homeless individuals are criminals. In reality, and proven statistically, they are far more likely to become victims than perpetrators because of their vulnerability. Any laws they break are typically crimes of need.

Another stereotype is that all homeless individuals struggle with drug addiction or alcoholism. In truth, addiction is often a consequence of homelessness rather than the cause. Mental illness, untreated trauma, loss of employment, or the death of a loved one can push people into crisis, and many eventually turn to self-medicating after becoming homeless.

Another false narrative is the belief that homeless people are unwilling to work when in fact many are employed, doing the jobs none of us want to do, such as overnight cleaning crews, security work, and other late-night labor that often goes unnoticed.

According to our data, homelessness affects people from all educational and professional backgrounds. Over the years, we have served former teachers, nurses, engineers, and other highly educated individuals who found themselves unable to recover financially after layoffs, health issues, or personal tragedies.

I also want to touch on a few highlights of the practical realities many overlook. Of course they’re dirty, they have little to no access to showers, toilets, washing machines, sinks, and personal hygiene that most of us take for granted.

While some assume homeless individuals simply refuse available services, resources in Central Florida remain severely limited. Shelters are few and far between, and have operated at or near capacity for years. To address that gap, Matthew’s Hope has launched its mobile outreach efforts through sleeper buses that provide temporary shelter and connecting those served to all the basics, including medical assistance and mental health care.

Each bus sleeps twenty people in real beds with coil spring mattresses. Here in Brevard County we have three, partnering with Host Sites throughout the county.

Our focus must remain on solutions rather than punishment. A few years ago, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office study estimated incarceration costs between $45,000 and $55,000 annually per inmate, arguing that workforce training and rehabilitation programs cost significantly less while producing better long-term outcomes.

The goal is always to train people to become self-sufficient,

Matthew’s Hope operates on an annual budget of roughly $15 million, with only 6.2% coming from taxpayer government controlled funding.

To truly make progress in addressing this crisis, we need to change public perception, by stopping false narratives and misinformation.

It’s time we see homelessness for the tragic circumstance that it is and concentrate our energies on looking for solutions, These are not a bunch of lazy freeloaders, criminals, addicts, unemployed and uneducated people trying to game the system. They are symptoms of a problem we can all help solve together.”