Moving beyond stigmas and stereotypes: Facts about homelessness in Phoenix
by Phoenix Community Alliance
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Locally and across the country, deep-seated stigmas surrounding homelessness influence policy-making, policing, access to healthcare, employment and permeate nearly every aspect of society.
In an informal survey conducted during the summer of 2020 with service providers, downtown residents and business professionals, the Phoenix Community Alliance Social and Housing Advancement Committee received nearly 75 responses to the question, “what are the myths you hear about homelessness and individuals who experience homelessness in the Phoenix metro area?” The responses boiled down to eight major themes, which mirror similar responses in other communities across the U.S., with a few regional nuances.
According to a 2019 report by Andre House — a service provider adjacent to downtown’s Human Services Campus – 25.7 percent of people who were experiencing unsheltered homelessness between November 2018 and March 2019 identified a diagnosable substance abuse disorder. Nationally, experts believe about 20 to 40 percent of people experiencing homelessness have a substance abuse issue, but it is rarely identified as the sole cause of homelessness.
In an interview with CBS 5 earlier this year, Lisa Glow, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), said about 25 percent of the people who stay in CASS shelters are employed. Many people experiencing homelessness are working, receive disability or qualify for social security income – but still cannot afford rent. For those who are unemployed, the complications of applying for a job under the stigma of experiencing homelessness can be prohibitive.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to be the victims of violent crimes than the perpetrators. But there is a correlation between homelessness and incarceration. According to a national study by Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated people (convicted of both violent and non-violent crimes) are almost 10 times more likely to experience homelessness, largely due to barriers to employment, combined with explicit discrimination.
Twenty three percent of unsheltered people identified a serious mental illness, according to a 2019 report by Andre House. Decades of epidemiological research suggests the national average could be closer to one-third.
In the current economic climate, tens of millions of people are out of work and struggling to afford food and pay the rent. For many people, a sudden illness, an accident, losing a job, or falling into debt leads to eviction, and the inability to find a new home. Even for individuals deemed “chronically homeless,” the vast majority of people will opt for permanent, supportive housing when given the opportunity.
According to one of the largest studies conducted on panhandling, the most commonly reported expense was food. Not all who people who panhandle are experiencing homelessness.
For unsheltered individuals, the most commonly identified barrier to shelter and services was lack of availability, according to a 2019 report by Andre House.
According to New York University social work professor Deborah K. Padgett, 70 to 80 percent of people experiencing homelessness are from the local area, or lived there for a year or longer before becoming unhoused.
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About this series: Led by Phoenix Community Alliance — Community Voices is a series about the impact of homelessness in Downtown Phoenix, and commonly-held myths, stereotypes and misperceptions of the issue. READ MORE