As with all the stereotypes we encounter daily, homeless people are not immune to being viewed in a specific way in our society. This view is filtered through decades of oral, written, and graphic messages reproduced by the media and the contemporary audiovisual industry, and further filtered through our lack of understanding of the phenomenon and our "rejection" of what is different and non-normative.

When one asks oneself if one could find oneself in this situation, subjectivity radically alters the perspective because, yes, it could be you.

In the Style Guide on Homelessness , published by the Xarxa d'Atenció a les Persones Sense Llar (Network for Attention to Homeless People) of the Barcelona City Council, we are invited to ask ourselves these questions:

• Have you ever been fired from your job?
• Would you find yourself alone if you faced a difficult situation?
• Has your bank account ever been overdrawn?
• Have you ever had a health problem that has derailed a work or life project you had planned?

The higher the number of affirmative answers, the closer you are to understanding how people who have lost everything, including their home, feel.

Words shape the situation, and so do the images we use to illustrate certain topics. That's why it's important to examine how we talk about homelessness to avoid falling into myths and stereotypes that perpetuate stigma and a paternalistic view. The Style Guide on Homelessness and the Guide with Recommendations on Media Coverage of Homelessness , both published by the Barcelona City Council's Network for Attention to the Homeless, are two key tools that help us understand where to focus and where not to, and how to address this reality in a way that provides knowledge rather than prejudice or stereotypes. Let's break down the recommendations they offer.

Ten basic guidelines for speaking correctly about homelessness

Treat homelessness as a multi-causal phenomenon and not focus on the person who suffers from it.

Homelessness is not due to a single cause, but rather to multiple factors related to deficiencies in the socio-familial, emotional, employment, economic, housing, health, and legal and documentation status areas, among others. In some of these areas, individuals can access support services, but in others, these structural, institutional, or legal issues become insurmountable barriers for them.

The phenomenon has changed over time, and where we once found people with mental health problems or addictions, these have taken a back seat to the waves of migration that have increased the number of homeless people across Europe. In this regard, it should be noted that, while a few years ago the educational and professional level of these individuals was low, there is now a growing number of people with high levels of academic and professional qualifications who find themselves in this situation.

Avoid blaming homeless people because anyone can find themselves in this situation

The media coverage of homelessness must avoid assigning blame, because this is a phenomenon with multiple causes that can affect us all. Attempting to blame those who experience it is to ignore the reality of the situation and look for culprits where there are none. As we all know, no one has complete control over their life, and the risks of falling into a vulnerable situation have increased. We must address this reality with full awareness of its dual social and personal dimensions.

Treat homeless people as whole human beings

It goes without saying, but people experiencing homelessness are people just like everyone else: with life stories, dreams and ambitions, life plans, fears, and challenges. Like everyone else, they have rights and opinions about what they want, what they don't want, and how they want to be helped. The media must find its own narrative and graphic resources to highlight this reality without resorting to stigmatization and stereotypes, avoiding sensationalist or entertainment-driven treatment.

Focus on the positive aspects and not just on what they lack

When reporting on homelessness, focusing on positive terms also conveys a positive image: highlighting what these individuals strive for, desire, or their qualities. The typical approach centers on what these people lack, such as housing, emphasizing their poverty—something not done when discussing people who are not experiencing poverty.

Helping to combat false myths about homelessness

Debunking myths about homelessness

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Quiz

Preconceived notions about homelessness hinder media coverage. The media and audiovisual companies can help dispel these myths .

• "They are like this because they want to be."
  This is usually said when a person rejects a public service or resource, without taking into account factors such as the form of intervention of the administration before and during the process or the needs of the person himself.
• "They don't want to work"
  Most people experiencing homelessness have worked, would like to work, or are currently employed. In the latter case, some are victims of exploitation or work in the informal economy. Wanting to work and possessing the necessary skills does not always translate into successful integration into the workforce, despite government resources aimed at improving the employability of these individuals in an increasingly demanding labor market.
• "Poverty has no solution, but it will always exist."
  Data shows that, with appropriate policies, it is possible to ensure that no one sleeps on the streets. This is the case in Finland, where there are no people sleeping on the streets thanks to public policies developed through comprehensive strategies.
• "Emergencies must be attended to, especially in winter."
  The arrival of cold weather makes these people more vulnerable, but it is also important to consider that vulnerability factors occur all year round (dehydration, periods of convalescence that should be done indoors, etc.); that urgent responses must be given when a person experiencing long-term homelessness makes a request for help: it may be a unique opportunity for intervention, and that it is urgent to provide a real solution for people to prevent the fact of being in a temporary shelter longer than necessary from worsening their situation.
• "The solution to homelessness is shelters."
  Shelters are part of a model of care that is being phased out. The most socially advanced countries are replacing this type of accommodation with social housing and long-term support. The solution to homelessness is access to affordable housing, sufficient income, and social support when needed.
• "...And they don't want to go"
  Shelters often fail to meet the needs and desires of these individuals. Ultimately, they become a source of reassurance for a segment of society that doesn't see these people on the streets and, therefore, doesn't feel compelled to address their plight. When a person begins the process of achieving autonomy, a process not without its challenges, that is when the empathy and solidarity of society become most crucial.
• "At least they have what people give them."
  People who have experienced homelessness understandably appreciate public support, but a medium- and long-term perspective reveals a progressive deterioration in their personal circumstances. In this regard, it has been shown that life on the streets advances the average age of death by about twenty years.
• "The solution depends on people's charity and solidarity."
  Charity cannot be the solution; this phenomenon must be addressed from a human rights perspective. While no one can be forced off the streets due to their rights, neither can anyone be deprived of basic rights, which are often only accessible through participation in social programs (housing, employment, food assistance, etc.). In practice, street outreach services must ensure they do not make value judgments about what the person should or should not do with the aid they receive.
• "There are only men on the street"
  Indeed, in statistics on the gender of people who sleep or spend the day on the streets, as well as among all those receiving services, the majority are men. According to the latest data from the INE (National Institute of Statistics) , 76.7% are men.
  However, in other statistics, such as those concerning unsafe housing, inadequate housing, or situations addressed by other types of programs, female homelessness is on the rise: mothers with family responsibilities, victims of unreported gender-based violence, shantytowns, and so on. Meanwhile, female homelessness is still a phenomenon that is being actively researched by organizations and academics in the field across Europe.
• "They're all alcoholics and drug addicts who brought it on themselves."
  Alcoholism and addiction are mental health disorders that must be addressed as such, without moral judgments or blame, as is the case with other mental disorders that remain taboo for much of society. This myth fuels the dilemma of what is a consequence and what is a cause: homelessness or mental disorders. The causes of homelessness are diverse, and the stigma surrounding alcoholism or drug addiction becomes less significant when we observe that, with the economic crisis and the social conflicts generated by migration, homelessness has increased across most of Europe.
• "They make the city dirty and create problems of incivility."
  This is a perspective from someone who has what is considered necessary for a dignified life. We must strive to understand that other realities exist and are suffered by others, and what we can do to prevent them and how we can address or improve the society in which we live. Living on the street means lacking the spaces of a home: from a hook to hang a coat in winter to a space in which to have intimate relationships. These people have no choice but to carry out in public spaces, at the risk of being penalized, the activities that are normally done in the privacy of a home. But conflicts in public spaces go far beyond this and involve all members of society and their diverse behaviors. The movement of people in any community generates disruptive uses of public spaces.

Avoid images that reproduce stereotypes and safeguard the right to privacy

The treatment of images of people experiencing homelessness requires great care. It is essential to ensure that the chosen images do not contribute to perpetuating stereotypes, to avoid intruding on privacy, and to offer a broader perspective on the reality of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of social exclusion. Avoiding the repeated use of stock footage to illustrate news stories about homelessness is also considered a positive step toward change.

Nor can we forget the respect for each person's image and the obligation to request informed consent for the use of their image.

Giving a voice to people experiencing homelessness because they are the experts on the situation and have the right to explain their experience

Addressing homelessness inclusively and understanding the situation of those experiencing it requires spaces for reflection. The media has the potential to encourage critical thinking on these issues with inclusive approaches, allowing the people directly affected to express their realities and experiences.

Compare sources and give a voice to experts

In journalism, this is a basic principle. In this case, comparing, verifying, and consulting experts is also vital.

Avoid a paternalistic and compassionate gaze

Paternalistic and compassionate approaches do not help to address a social problem that does not readily respond to such approaches. Nor does a sensationalist treatment, or one more typical of the spectacle society, help, as it places all the emphasis on one aspect of these people's stories and overlooks other factors that must be considered.

Use the correct terminology

Words help us define reality and work to change the collective perception of these individuals. It is necessary, for example, to eradicate words like "indigent" or "vagrant," as well as to understand the terminological differences related to housing. It is also not recommended to always associate homelessness with the term "poverty," since this is only one economic dimension of the many other circumstances surrounding the situation. The guide provides a glossary of terms related to housing and social resources.