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Myth: "People Choose to Be Homeless"

Topic: Common Myths • Last updated: February 2026

One of the most persistent myths about homelessness is that people actively choose this way of life—that they prefer living on the streets to having a home. This misconception fundamentally misunderstands the complex realities of homelessness and the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing stable housing.

Understanding "Choice" in Context

When we talk about "choice" in the context of homelessness, we need to recognize that choices are always constrained by available options. For most people experiencing homelessness, their situation results from a lack of viable alternatives rather than a preference for street living.

The Reality of Constrained Choices

A person might "choose" to sleep in their car rather than in a shelter that separates them from their family, feels unsafe, or has restrictions that prevent them from getting to work on time. This isn't a free choice between equally viable options—it's a decision made under severe constraints.

Structural Barriers to Housing

Multiple systemic factors create and perpetuate homelessness that have nothing to do with individual choice:

Affordable Housing Crisis

In many U.S. cities, housing costs have far outpaced wage growth. Consider these facts:

  • There is no state in the U.S. where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent.
  • The U.S. has a shortage of approximately 7 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters.
  • Over 10 million households spend more than 50% of their income on housing, putting them at high risk of homelessness if they face any financial setback.

Inadequate Safety Nets

Many people become homeless after experiencing a crisis without adequate support:

  • Job loss without sufficient unemployment benefits
  • Medical emergencies leading to insurmountable debt
  • Domestic violence without access to alternative housing
  • Mental health crises without accessible treatment options

Discrimination and Barriers to Housing

Even when people have income, they may face barriers to securing housing:

  • Criminal records (even for minor offenses) can make finding housing nearly impossible
  • Racial discrimination in housing persists despite being illegal
  • Credit checks and application fees create additional hurdles
  • Requirements for large security deposits and first/last month's rent upfront

The Path to Homelessness: Rarely a Single Decision

Research consistently shows that homelessness typically results from a series of crises and setbacks rather than a single choice:

Cascading Crises

Consider this common scenario:

  1. A person experiences job loss or reduced hours
  2. They fall behind on rent while searching for new employment
  3. An eviction follows, damaging their rental history
  4. They stay temporarily with friends or family ("doubling up")
  5. These temporary arrangements become strained and eventually end
  6. With damaged rental history, no savings, and limited income, they cannot secure new housing
  7. They end up in a shelter or on the streets

At no point in this common scenario did the person "choose" homelessness as a lifestyle preference.

Why Do Some People Refuse Shelter?

Sometimes the "choice" narrative is reinforced when people observe individuals declining shelter. However, there are many rational reasons why someone might avoid shelters:

Shelter Limitations

  • Safety concerns: Many shelters struggle with theft, violence, and overcrowding
  • Separation from support systems: Many shelters separate couples, families, or don't allow pets
  • Restrictive rules: Curfews may prevent people from working evening or night shifts
  • Lack of privacy: Congregate settings can be especially difficult for people with trauma, mental health conditions, or sensory sensitivities
  • Capacity issues: Many shelters are full, with long waiting lists

Perspective Shift

Rather than asking "Why don't they just go to a shelter?" we should ask "Why aren't our shelters meeting people's basic needs for safety, dignity, and stability?"

The Evidence Against "Choice"

Research consistently contradicts the "choice" narrative:

  • When surveyed, the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness express a desire for stable housing
  • Housing First programs, which provide permanent housing without preconditions, have high retention rates (typically 80-90%), demonstrating that when affordable housing is actually available, people choose it
  • Communities that have significantly expanded affordable housing options have seen corresponding decreases in homelessness

The Harm of the "Choice" Narrative

Beyond being inaccurate, the myth that people choose homelessness causes real harm:

  • It shifts responsibility from systemic failures to individuals
  • It justifies inadequate public investment in solutions
  • It contributes to stigma and dehumanization
  • It can lead to punitive policies that criminalize homelessness rather than addressing root causes

Conclusion

The reality is that homelessness rarely results from a simple choice. Instead, it reflects the consequences of systemic failures: insufficient affordable housing, inadequate social safety nets, poverty, discrimination, and lack of accessible healthcare.

When we move beyond the "choice" myth, we can focus on the real solutions: expanding affordable housing, strengthening prevention programs, improving shelter conditions, and addressing the structural inequities that create homelessness in the first place.

Key Takeaway

People don't choose homelessness—they choose survival within severely limited options. Our focus should be on expanding those options through systemic change, not blaming individuals for circumstances largely beyond their control.

References & Further Reading

  1. National Low Income Housing Coalition. "Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing." NLIHC, 2024. https://nlihc.org/oor
  2. National Low Income Housing Coalition. "The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes." NLIHC, 2024. https://nlihc.org/gap
  3. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. "The State of the Nation's Housing 2024." Harvard University, 2024. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/state-nations-housing-2024
  4. Tsemberis, S. "Housing First: The Pathways Model to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness and Addiction." Hazelden Publishing, 2010. https://www.pathwayshousingfirst.org/
  5. Shinn, M. & Khadduri, J. "In the Midst of Plenty: Homelessness and What to Do About It." Wiley-Blackwell, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119104841
  6. National Alliance to End Homelessness. "State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition." NAEH, 2024. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness/
  7. Desmond, M. "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City." Crown Publishing, 2016. https://www.evictedbook.com/
  8. National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. "Housing Not Handcuffs 2019: Ending the Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities." NLCHP, 2019. https://homelesslaw.org/housing-not-handcuffs/
  9. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress." HUD, 2023. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2023-AHAR-Part-1.pdf