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Changing the Conversation: Challenging Stigma

Topic: What You Can Do • Last updated: February 2026

Public discourse about homelessness is often filled with harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and dehumanizing language. These narratives not only hurt people experiencing homelessness but also shape policies and community responses in counterproductive ways. One of the most powerful actions you can take is to challenge stigma and change the conversation about homelessness in your everyday interactions.

Understanding Stigma and Its Impact

Before discussing how to challenge stigma, it's important to understand what it is and how it operates:

What Is Stigma?

Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors directed toward a group that is perceived as different or outside social norms. In the context of homelessness, stigma manifests as:

  • Stereotypes: Oversimplified beliefs about people experiencing homelessness (e.g., that they're all mentally ill or addicted to substances)
  • Prejudice: Negative emotional reactions based on stereotypes (e.g., fear, disgust, or contempt)
  • Discrimination: Behaviors that disadvantage people experiencing homelessness (e.g., exclusion from public spaces or services)

The Harm of Stigma

Stigma around homelessness causes significant harm:

  • Personal Impact: Damages mental health, self-esteem, and sense of belonging for people experiencing homelessness
  • Barrier to Services: Prevents people from seeking help due to shame or fear of judgment
  • Policy Influence: Leads to punitive rather than supportive approaches
  • Community Division: Creates an "us vs. them" mentality that undermines community cohesion
  • Perpetuation of Homelessness: Makes it harder for people to exit homelessness due to discrimination in housing and employment

Stigma's Vicious Cycle

Stigma creates a vicious cycle: negative stereotypes lead to discrimination, which increases barriers to housing and services, which prolongs homelessness, which then reinforces stereotypes. Breaking this cycle requires challenging stigma at every level.

Common Stigmatizing Narratives

To effectively challenge stigma, it's helpful to recognize common narratives:

Individual Blame Narratives

These narratives attribute homelessness primarily to personal failings:

  • "They choose to be homeless"
  • "If they just got a job/stopped using drugs/took their medication..."
  • "They're just lazy and don't want to work"
  • "They've made bad decisions and now they're facing the consequences"

Dehumanizing Narratives

These narratives strip away humanity and individuality:

  • Using terms like "the homeless" instead of "people experiencing homelessness"
  • Referring to encampments as "infestations" or using other pest-related language
  • Describing people as "eyesores" or focusing exclusively on aesthetic concerns
  • Treating homelessness as a public nuisance rather than a human rights issue

Fear-Based Narratives

These narratives portray people experiencing homelessness as threatening:

  • "They're all dangerous/criminals/mentally unstable"
  • "They'll bring drugs and crime to our neighborhood"
  • "Our children aren't safe around them"
  • "They're unpredictable and violent"

Othering Narratives

These narratives create artificial distance and difference:

  • "These people aren't from our community"
  • "They're not like us"
  • "Normal people don't become homeless"
  • Using "us" and "them" language that reinforces separation

Strategies for Challenging Stigma

Here are effective approaches for challenging stigmatizing narratives:

Reframing the Conversation

Shift the focus from individual blame to structural causes:

Instead of... Try...
"Why don't they just get a job?" "Many people experiencing homelessness are working but can't afford housing. The real issue is that wages haven't kept pace with housing costs."
"They choose to be homeless." "People make the best choices available to them. When the options are limited to unsafe shelters or the streets, neither is a real 'choice.'"
"They need to take responsibility." "We all have a responsibility to create systems where everyone can meet their basic needs. Housing is a human right."
"Why don't they just go to shelter?" "Shelters often have barriers like limited capacity, restrictions on pets or partners, or conditions that don't work for everyone. The real solution is permanent housing."

Humanizing Through Stories

Personal stories can challenge stereotypes and build empathy:

  • Share Diverse Experiences: Highlight stories that show the diversity of people experiencing homelessness
  • Focus on Commonality: Emphasize shared human experiences and aspirations
  • Respect Dignity: Only share stories with permission and in ways that preserve dignity
  • Include Context: Connect individual stories to broader systemic issues
  • Amplify Direct Voices: Prioritize stories told directly by people with lived experience

Beyond "Success Stories"

While "success stories" of people exiting homelessness can be powerful, be careful not to imply that only certain people "deserve" support or that individual determination alone can overcome systemic barriers. The most effective stories illustrate both personal resilience and the importance of structural supports.

Using Evidence and Facts

Accurate information can counter myths and misconceptions:

  • Know the Data: Familiarize yourself with research on causes and solutions to homelessness
  • Challenge Myths: Correct common misconceptions with facts
  • Provide Context: Help people understand the systems that contribute to homelessness
  • Highlight Solutions: Share evidence about what actually works to address homelessness

Modeling Respectful Language

The words we use shape perceptions:

  • Use Person-First Language: Say "people experiencing homelessness" rather than "the homeless"
  • Avoid Criminalizing Terms: Replace words like "vagrant" or "transient" with neutral descriptions
  • Challenge Dehumanizing Language: Speak up when others use terms like "bums" or "junkies"
  • Focus on Situations, Not Identity: Emphasize that homelessness is a circumstance, not a defining characteristic

Challenging Stigma in Different Contexts

Different situations call for different approaches:

In Personal Conversations

When friends, family, or colleagues express stigmatizing views:

  • Ask Questions: "What makes you think that?" or "Where did you learn that?"
  • Share Information: "Actually, research shows..." or "I recently learned..."
  • Connect to Values: "I know you care about fairness, so I think it's important to consider..."
  • Use "I" Statements: "I feel uncomfortable when people are described that way because..."
  • Offer Alternative Perspectives: "Another way to look at this is..."

Remember that changing minds often happens gradually through multiple conversations rather than in a single exchange.

In Community Settings

At neighborhood meetings, community forums, or public hearings:

  • Prepare Key Points: Have facts and personal stories ready
  • Build Alliances: Connect with others who share your perspective
  • Focus on Shared Values: Appeal to community, compassion, and fairness
  • Offer Constructive Alternatives: Don't just critique—propose better approaches
  • Follow Up: Continue conversations one-on-one after public meetings

In Online Spaces

On social media, comment sections, or community forums:

  • Share Accurate Information: Post articles, research, and resources from credible sources
  • Correct Misinformation: Politely provide facts when you see myths being spread
  • Amplify Lived Experience: Share content created by people who have experienced homelessness
  • Model Respectful Dialogue: Engage thoughtfully even with those who disagree
  • Know When to Disengage: Some online conversations aren't productive

Digital Advocacy Tips

When challenging stigma online, use visuals, keep messages concise, provide sources for claims, tell stories that illustrate your points, and focus on reaching those who are open to learning rather than trying to convince entrenched opponents.

In Media and Public Discourse

Influencing broader narratives:

  • Write Letters to the Editor: Respond to problematic news coverage
  • Contact Journalists: Provide feedback on reporting and suggest alternative framings
  • Support Ethical Media: Share and promote responsible coverage
  • Create Your Own Content: Write blog posts, make videos, or produce podcasts that counter stigma
  • Engage with Public Figures: Challenge stigmatizing statements from politicians or celebrities

Effective Communication Techniques

How you challenge stigma is as important as what you say:

Building Bridges, Not Walls

Approaches that foster dialogue rather than defensiveness:

  • Lead with Curiosity: "I'm interested in understanding why you feel that way"
  • Find Common Ground: Identify shared concerns or values before addressing differences
  • Acknowledge Legitimate Concerns: Separate valid worries from stereotypes
  • Use Inclusive Language: "We" and "our community" rather than divisive terminology
  • Assume Good Intentions: Most people aren't intentionally stigmatizing

Storytelling Strategies

Effective ways to use narrative:

  • Connect to Universal Experiences: Housing insecurity, job loss, health crises
  • Highlight Structural Factors: Show how systems, not just individual choices, shape outcomes
  • Challenge the Single Story: Share diverse experiences that defy stereotypes
  • Use Your Own Connection: Share how homelessness has touched your life or community
  • Center Dignity: Ensure stories emphasize humanity and agency

Self-Care When Challenging Stigma

This work can be emotionally demanding:

  • Set Boundaries: You don't need to challenge every instance of stigma
  • Connect with Allies: Build a community of support
  • Recognize Progress: Change happens incrementally
  • Process Emotions: Acknowledge frustration, anger, or burnout
  • Take Breaks: Step back when needed to recharge

Beyond Conversations: Creating Structural Change

While changing individual attitudes is important, addressing stigma also requires structural approaches:

Supporting Anti-Stigma Initiatives

  • Public Education Campaigns: Participate in or support organized efforts to change public perceptions
  • Media Guidelines: Advocate for responsible reporting standards on homelessness
  • Lived Experience Leadership: Support organizations led by people who have experienced homelessness
  • Community Integration: Promote inclusive events and spaces that bridge housing divides

Addressing Institutional Stigma

  • Policy Advocacy: Challenge discriminatory laws and regulations
  • Organizational Practices: Promote respectful approaches in service settings
  • Professional Training: Support education for service providers, police, healthcare workers
  • Inclusive Decision-Making: Advocate for meaningful participation of people with lived experience

The Power of Contact

Research shows that meaningful contact between different groups is one of the most effective ways to reduce stigma. Support initiatives that create opportunities for genuine interaction between housed and unhoused community members, such as community meals, art projects, or advisory committees.

Conclusion

Challenging stigma around homelessness is both a personal and collective responsibility. By thoughtfully intervening in everyday conversations, community discussions, and public discourse, you can help shift narratives away from stereotypes and blame toward understanding and solutions.

Remember that changing deeply held beliefs takes time and persistence. Each conversation is an opportunity to plant seeds that may grow into greater empathy and more effective approaches to addressing homelessness. By combining personal interactions with broader advocacy for structural change, you contribute to creating a society where everyone is seen as fully human and worthy of dignity, respect, and the right to housing.

References & Further Reading

  1. Phelan, Jo, Bruce G. Link, Robert E. Moore, and Ann Stueve. "The Stigma of Homelessness: The Impact of the Label 'Homeless' on Attitudes Toward Poor Persons." Social Psychology Quarterly, vol. 60, no. 4, 1997, pp. 323-337. https://doi.org/10.2307/2787093
  2. Knecht, Tom, and Lisa M. Martinez. "Humanizing the Homeless: Does Contact Erode Stereotypes?" Social Science Research, vol. 38, no. 3, 2009, pp. 521-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2009.01.009
  3. FrameWorks Institute. "Framing Homelessness: How to Change the Conversation." FrameWorks Institute, 2020. https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/
  4. National Alliance to End Homelessness. "Changes in Narrative and Framing." National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2023. https://endhomelessness.org/
  5. Corrigan, Patrick W. "The Impact of Stigma on Severe Mental Illness." Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, vol. 5, no. 2, 1998, pp. 201-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1077-7229(98)80006-0
  6. Pettigrew, Thomas F., and Linda R. Tropp. "A Meta-Analytic Test of Intergroup Contact Theory." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 90, no. 5, 2006, pp. 751-783. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.90.5.751
  7. Tsai, Jack, Crystal Y.S. Lee, Jason Shen, Sonya B. Southwick, and Robert H. Pietrzak. "Public Exposure and Attitudes About Homelessness." Journal of Community Psychology, vol. 47, no. 1, 2019, pp. 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22100
  8. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. "All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness." USICH, 2022. https://www.usich.gov/all-in