Misconceptions About Family Homelessness
Many people believe that homelessness is limited to those living on the streets. However, homelessness can take many forms, including living in shelters, motels, and cars, or temporarily staying with friends or relatives. The federal government defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Myth-Busting Family Homelessness
Myth: Homelessness is always the result of bad choices.
Fact: Many families become homeless due to unforeseen circumstances such as job loss, medical emergencies, or domestic violence. It’s estimated that nearly a third of the workforce is one bad accident, one large medical bill, or one missed paycheck away from financial ruin, including losing their homes.
Myth: People experiencing homelessness must not have a job.
Fact: Many parents experiencing homelessness already have one or multiple jobs or are actively seeking employment. Systemic issues like a lack of affordable housing, jobs that don’t pay a living wage, childcare barriers and limited public transportation make it difficult to maintain stability. Homelessness is not an individual moral failing. It can happen to anyone, and without a strong support system or safety net, getting back on your feet is difficult. What families need is opportunity, not judgment.
Myth: Homeless parents don’t provide sufficient care for their children.
Fact: Families experiencing homelessness often go to great lengths to care for their children despite the challenges they face. Many maintain employment, complete high school or GED programs, higher education or work training programs, actively search for housing, participate in their children’s school activities, and advocate daily for their children’s well-being.
Myth: I see people experiencing homelessness on the street, but I never see children—are they really out there?
Family homelessness often looks different than what people expect. To protect their children and avoid losing custody, many parents avoid visible locations. Instead, families may stay temporarily with friends or relatives, live in motels or sleep in their cars. These situations are often referred to as “hidden homelessness.”
Myth: Sufficient services exist – families simply need to ask for help.
Fact: Accessing support services can be complex and hard to navigate. Families who seek help often face obstacles such as transportation issues, documentation problems, and extended waiting lists. Additionally, many aid programs require a permanent address or access to the internet, further complicating the ability of families experiencing homelessness to receive assistance.
Myth: Children without homes cannot achieve academic success.
Fact: Children can succeed academically, emotionally, and socially when their basic needs are met. However, the longer their families remain unstable, the farther behind they can fall. Reducing the barriers to education, providing family support for a stable environment, and offering individualized education and support can lead to positive academic outcomes and pave the way for success later in life.
Myth: If someone has an iPhone or decent clothes, they must not really be homeless.
Fact: Homelessness does not always look the way people expect. Many families experiencing homelessness work hard to maintain a sense of normalcy, especially for their children. A cell phone can be a lifeline—used to apply for jobs, communicate with schools, or access support services. Possessing basic items doesn’t negate someone’s housing insecurity, it reflects their effort to keep going in the face of hardship.
Myth: Homelessness is a permanent condition.
Fact: Homelessness is a situation, not an identity. With the right resources and support, families can regain stability. Last year at Positive Tomorrows, 90% of families improved their housing situations, demonstrating that change is possible when barriers are addressed and support is provided.
