A Straight Look at Homelessness
Steven Leapley
??Helping Men Avoid Overcome or Get Rid of The 10 A-Holes In Life??Mental Health PTSD & Trauma Resilience Strategist??Evangelist | Author | Speaker | Coach | Farmer | Ghostwriter | Dad of 8 | Coffee & Acronym Maven??
Homelessness is often framed as a crisis of housing, income, or resources, but what if its deepest roots lie elsewhere?
Beyond the visible markers of poverty lies a more profound truth: homelessness is, at its core, a story of alienation. It is the disconnection from society, relationships, self-worth, and opportunity that leaves so many without a place to belong. This alienation perpetuates a cycle that no amount of temporary shelters or handouts can truly resolve.
To address homelessness, we must first recognize it as a symptom of a larger societal failure—the failure to create spaces where all people feel seen, valued, and connected.
The idea that homelessness is fundamentally rooted in alienation is profound and offers a lens that goes beyond material deprivation.
While the lack of housing, employment, or access to resources are visible aspects of homelessness, alienation—social, emotional, and systemic—could be at its core. Here's an exploration of this concept:
Alienation from Society
Homeless individuals are often excluded from the social fabric. Society tends to view them as "other," perpetuating a sense of invisibility and ostracism.
This alienation can manifest in one of two ways:
Alienation from Relationships
Many people who experience homelessness report a breakdown of familial, friendship, or community ties.
This severing of relationships can be both a cause and a consequence of homelessness:
Alienation from Self
Homelessness often strips individuals of identity and dignity, creating a disconnect between who they were, who they are, and who they wish to become:
领英推荐
Alienation from Opportunity
Economic systems and societal structures can inadvertently alienate individuals from opportunities that others take for granted:
A Path Toward Connection
If homelessness is deeply intertwined with alienation, then solutions should aim to rebuild connection:
My Perspective...
Ultimately, homelessness as alienation invites us to examine the role we all play in creating a society where some people fall through the cracks.
It calls for a deeper cultural shift toward connection, equity, and shared humanity.
Homelessness, then, might not just be about the lack of a home but the absence of community and care that makes a house truly a home.
What's your perspective?
Business Owner | Bookkeeping, Bookkeeping Cleanup, Payroll
3 个月Well said, Steve--connection is so important. Unfortunately, untreated addiction is often a contributor, as it can be very destabilizing, triggering problems with employment, finances, the legal system, relationships, and access to medical care. Given the 75% overlap between trauma and addiction, there needs to be significantly more funding for both mental health and addictions treatment, and care needs to include significant outreach efforts. Unfortunately our for-profit insurance system limits payments for these services, and if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, as is being promised by the incoming administration, that will significantly reduce access to care for millions of people.
I was connected to someone for many years that lived on the streets. In that case it was untreated mental illness. The report was also the amount of untreated mental illness and addictions is very prevalent (this is not an all or some - but definitely rampant). During COVID - the number of homeless became enormous in the Seattle area to the point of Tent Cities next courthouse. It was already a huge a issue. There’s no one answer to solve the issue. Unless they’re dangerous to others/themselves the mentally ill cannot be forced to medicate, seek therapy, services, etc. It’s heartbreaking to witness and at the same time collaboratively government, corporations, communities and individuals can make an impact. I’ve witnessed some of this in action.