Stereotypes of homelessness

I.The image of homelessness in society – homelessness seen through the eyes of citizens

Research on homelessness, conducted in the Pomeranian Province mainly by Gdańsk University and the Pomeranian Forum in Aid of Getting Out of Homelessness among citizens of Gdańsk, the homeless, entrepreneurs, students, social workers and Internet users, shows that:

1.Citizens are convinced that homeless people are dirty and scruffy, that they are alcohol addicts and homelessness is a social pathology which concerns men and lower levels of society

As many as 96 per cent of citizens mention frequent or very frequent abuse of alcohol by homeless people, the fact that they are unemployed (93 per cent) and poor (91 per cent).

2. Citizens present negative or indifferent attitude towards the homeless

Even though citizens of Trójmiasto have little contact with the homeless (68 per cent), they are indifferent or present negative or no civic attitude towards them.

3. 3.Citizens believe that we can „smell and see homelessness” because it is mainly a street problem

Residents of the region mistakenly estimate the percentage of the homeless staying in certain places. They claim that 35 per cent of the homeless population stay in institutions for the homeless and the remaining 65 per cent in non-habitable places (in reality the proportion is inverse).

4. Citizens see homelessness as the result of one’s free choice

Homelessness is perceived as the result of factors determined by homeless people - helplessness or their free choice.

5. Citizens do not have the knowledge of the welfare system and ways to support the homeless

As many as 53.9 per cent of the respondents cannot name even one institution providing help to the homeless.

6. Citizens do not know how to react to homelessness – they help by providing financial and material support

In the Pomeranian Province two main forms of help are observed: buying an giving food (57.5 per cent), and giving money to people staying in the streets (54.5 per cent). Neither of them helps to get out of homelessness but both lead to strengthening this problem.

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