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Experiencing Homelessness vs. Homeless People

What do you think of when you hear “homeless?” 

What about when you hear, “he’s experiencing homelessness right now?”

There’s a difference between those two terms. The word “homeless” comes with a lot of stereotypes. But they’re just that – stereotypes. They don’t represent a person.

At Atlanta Mission, we never call someone homeless. What we do say is that someone might be “experiencing homelessness.” Here’s why:

Homelessness is a temporary circumstance. It does not define them. 

Homelessness is something people are going through, it’s not who they are. When you call someone homeless, it describes who that person is, it makes it about who they are as a person. But that’s not who they are. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and so much more. Their causes of homelessness are all so different – from losing a job to not having family around to addiction. Homelessness is what they’re going through. It’s what their circumstances led them to. It’s not who they are. 

When we use the term “homeless,” we’re implying that there is no hope for change. But when we say someone is currently “experiencing homelessness,” we’re implying that it’s something they won’t experience forever.

Our words matter. They are powerful. 

This small word change makes a big difference in how we view and treat those around us. We can see them as human beings just like us, and treat them as such. That will help make a difference as we work to end homelessness.