By Carol M. Sainthilaire, Executive Director of The Waterfront Project
At The Waterfront Project, we are committed to addressing homelessness with clarity and compassion, grounded in facts and a deep understanding of the root causes. Recently, Jonathan Russell, Director of Alameda County Health, Housing, and Homelessness Services, shared a powerful reflection on LinkedIn that sheds light on the widespread misconceptions surrounding homelessness—misconceptions that have significant real-world consequences.
The Politics of Misconception
In the current political landscape, especially in states like California, there is a dangerous narrative that conflates homelessness with mental illness and substance abuse. This narrative feeds into two major fallacies: the causal fallacy and the heuristic fallacy. These fallacies distort public perception and, more worryingly, influence policy decisions that fail to address the real issues at hand.
The Causal Fallacy
The causal fallacy is the mistaken belief that mental illness and substance abuse are primary causes of homelessness. While these factors can be consequences of living without stable housing, they are not the root cause. Homelessness is fundamentally a problem of housing deprivation—people are homeless because they lack access to affordable, stable housing, not because they are mentally ill or addicted to drugs.
The Heuristic Fallacy
The heuristic fallacy involves generalizing the most extreme examples of homelessness—those involving mental illness or substance abuse—as representative of the entire homeless population. This flawed reasoning leads to policies that focus on addressing these issues rather than solving the core problem: the lack of affordable housing.
The Myth of Deinstitutionalization
One of the most persistent myths related to homelessness is the idea that the closure of state hospitals in the mid-20th century is a significant cause of the homelessness crisis that emerged in the late 1970s. Jonathan Russell rightly points out that this is not supported by research. There is a significant time gap between these closures and the rise in homelessness, and the reality is that only a small fraction of the homeless population today would have been impacted by these closures.
The real structural cause of the rise in homelessness during that period is not deinstitutionalization but deindustrialization. The transformation of the post-industrial economy, coupled with the reduction in welfare systems, left many urban and BIPOC communities without viable living conditions, leading to increased homelessness.
Moving Beyond Myths
To effectively address homelessness, we must move beyond these myths and focus on what truly matters: providing stable, affordable housing. While it is crucial to invest in public mental health systems, the idea that increasing involuntary inpatient beds will solve homelessness is misguided. The solution lies in creating more affordable housing, improving economic opportunities, and restoring the social safety nets that have been eroded over the past few decades.
The Waterfront Project’s Commitment
At The Waterfront Project, we see firsthand the impact of these misconceptions on the lives of those we serve. Our work is centered on the belief that housing is a human right, and we are dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent individuals and families from accessing the stable housing they need to thrive.
We stand with advocates like Jonathan Russell in calling for a shift in the conversation around homelessness. It’s time to focus on real solutions—solutions that address the true causes of homelessness and provide the support people need to rebuild their lives.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite our community and supporters to join us in advocating for policies that prioritize housing as the primary solution to homelessness. By addressing the root causes and dispelling harmful myths, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable.
Support Our Work
Consider donating to The Waterfront Project to help us continue our vital work in providing legal services, housing counseling, and advocacy for those facing homelessness. Every contribution brings us closer to a world where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home. Donate