Myths of Homelessness: Table of Contents

Myths of Homelessness Series – Table of Contents

Complete Series (Parts 1-14)

Part 1: “Homelessness is a Choice”

Debunking the myth that people choose to be homeless

Part 2: “They’re All Addicts or Mentally Ill”

The data on substance use and mental health in the homeless population

Part 3: “They Should Just Get a Job” (The Taxpayer Myth)

Why employment barriers keep people homeless and how they’re already taxpayers

Part 4: “They’re Dangerous”

Crime data showing homeless people are more likely to be victims than perpetrators

Part 5: “We Enable Them by Helping”

Why basic needs support doesn’t enable homelessness

Part 6: “It’s Too Expensive to Help” (The Cost Myth)

The fiscal case: $35-40k/year to leave someone on streets vs. $10k for supportive housing

Part 7: “Everyone Knows Who’s Homeless” (The Invisible 90%)

The hidden homeless: families, students, working poor

Part 8: “They’re All Lazy”

Employment data and barriers: 40% work, survival mode psychology

Part 9: “There’s a Typical Homeless Person” (The Demographic Myth)

Students (532 in Putnam schools), seniors (fastest-growing), working families, veterans

Part 10: “They Aren’t From Here” (The Magnet Myth)

Debunking migration myths: 70-90% became homeless locally

Part 11: “We Already Have Enough Services” (The Efficiency Myth)

Resource gap analysis: fragmented services, chronic housing gap, rural barriers

Part 12: “They Refuse Help” (The Service Resistance Myth)

Why shelter barriers keep people outside; R.I.S.E. 4-phase solution

Part 13: “Homelessness is Unsolvable”  

Florida’s 9.13% reduction, Functional Zero goal, R.I.S.E. roadmap

Part 14: “Making It Out” 

Red’s complete journey; what “out” really looks like; building the ladder while on it

Related Content

Voices from the Street // Beth

Beth’s testimony on shelter barriers, bed bugs, storage issues

The Hidden Price Tag: Why Solving Homelessness is a Fiscal Win

Standalone fiscal analysis companion to Part 6

The Gap Between Compassion and Capacity

Resource gap analysis companion to Part 11

Have a story to share? Submit it to the ‘Voices From The Street’ series here.