Education about Homelessness Stereotypes

Homeless people are lazy

Homeless people are drug addicts

Homeless people choose to be homeless

Let's start by getting one thing straight: the way we talk about people matters.

Instead of saying "homeless people", say people experiencing homelessness. Why? Because homelessness is a situation, not a personality trait. It's a temporary and preventable crisis that can happen to anyone.

Stereotypes

"People experiencing homelessness are lazy"

Truth: Most people experiencing homelessness are working, studying or deperately trying to do both. But when rent is $1,200/month and minimum wage is $16.55/hour, do the math. That's not laziness, that's trying to survive.

"They must be on drugs"

Truth: Substance abuse is a health issue. Yes, some people experiencing homelessness struggle with addiciton, just like people with homes do. The difference? No safe space, no healthcare and no privary to deal with it.

"They chose this"

Truth: Nobody chooses to sleep ouside on pavements, especially with Toronto's unpredictable weather. What people choose is to leave abuse, avoid violence or escape unsafe situations. What they often don't get to choose is where to go next.

Youth in particularly vulnerable and make up 20% of the individuals experiencing homelessness and 24% identify as 2SLGBTQ (despite making up only 5-10% of all youths) pending citation.

There is no "typical" person experiencing homelessness. Not all groups are equally impacted, some are more likely to experience homelessness.

1 in 2 people are one step away from experiencing homelessness, that could be YOU![1]

What can YOU do?

Challenge Stereotypes. Don't be ignorant.
Use the right language. Words like "experiencing homelessness" remind us that this is a temporary and solvable.
Support youth shelters and community programs. Donate, volunteer, advocate.
Be human. Make eye contact. Offer kindness without judgement.

Homelessness does not define people.

But how we treat people experiencing homelessness does define us.

References

[1] Homeless Hub, "Who is Homeless in Canada," 2025. URL: https://homelesshub.ca/collection/homelessness-101/who-is-homeless-in-canada/ (Accessed May 30, 2025)