The language regularly used when discussing homelessness is perpetuating and reinforcing stigma, according to a Centre for Homelessness Impact report by researchers at King’s College London.
People experiencing homelessness were ‘assumed, implied or described to be different from others on the basis of appearance, hygiene, personal shortcomings, poor life choices and substance abuse’ the document states, with descriptions also suggesting they ‘lacked human qualities’.
Researchers looked at more than 4,500 Twitter posts by UK users as well as almost 1,000 sentences featuring phrases ‘commonly used’ in the UK press and in the homelessness charity sector. The material was reviewed by a panel of people with lived experience of homelessness working in pairs, with almost 1,000 examples deemed to be stigmatising or negative by both members of a pair. Public conversations about homelessness are also ‘often reduced to rough sleeping’, the report adds, overlooking the large numbers of people either living in temporary accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’.
The authors have compiled a checklist for people writing or talking about homelessness, including focusing on the person rather than their housing status, steering clear of negative stereotypes about appearance or behaviour, and respecting people’s dignity. Homelessness should only be mentioned when relevant, it states. ‘We often add that a person is homeless even when this detail is not pertinent – for example, “A homeless man was questioned by the police in relation to the incident”.’ People should also avoid implying that homelessness makes places dangerous or undesirable through statements that reinforce negative stereotypes rather than address the ‘real challenges of homelessness’.
It is also important to recognise that substance use ‘may be a coping mechanism rather than the root cause of homelessness’, the document urges. ‘In many cases, people may have started a problematic use of alcohol and drugs to cope with their homelessness.’
‘Stigma is created and sustained through communication,’ said co-author Dr Apurv Chauhan of King’s College’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. ‘Joking that someone “looks homeless” isn’t harmless. While unintentional, it subtly perpetuates the incorrect and stigmatising belief that people experiencing homelessness are all dishevelled or unkempt. Our research shows that stigmatising ideas about homelessness often hide in plain sight and perpetuate through everyday comments, humour and casual remarks. We all need to play a role in being careful in our communication and challenging the everyday normalisation of prejudice.’
Homelessness and the language of stigma available here