True. Sadly, this is true. And if the State of Texas has its way, homeless people with past criminal convictions are destined to remain on the streets. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has ruled that people with certain criminal convictions be permanently barred from tax-supported housing options, limiting available housing and opportunities to get off the street.  Marc Eichenbaum, special assistant to the mayor of Houston for homeless initiatives, states, “By doing this, we’re creating this huge class of untouchables who are stuck on the streets. We’re creating modern day lepers without giving them even a colony.” 

As you watch the videos on our website, you will hear from people with past criminal records who have spent decades on the streets. 

False. Eric Samuels, president of the Texas Homeless Network, states, “People experiencing homelessness are victims of crime far more than they are perpetrators.” In our experience, the homeless we have met and provide services for do not have criminal intent. They show respect for the property of others and don’t wish to cross the line into illegal activity.

False. In Houston, less than 10% of homelessness is caused by substance abuse, according to the Coalition for the Homeless.

False. A recent Harris County study found that it costs taxpayers an average of $91,000 for a person to remain on the street, mostly in emergency health care, criminal enforcement, and clean up. Initiatives to get the homeless off the streets cost just $17,000 a year per person.

False: There are a lot of causes of homelessness. In our experience, laziness is one of the least.

False. While some homeless persons may lose hope and resign themselves to life on the streets, most would prefer to be off the streets. Even the long-term homeless want to get off the streets and into permanent housing.

False. On the surface this may appear to be true but we believe it is false. If the factors that led to homelessness (loss of job, addiction, untreated or under-treated mental illness, etc.) were absent, many would choose to work and make a living for themselves. The Coalition for the Homeless found that half of homelessness is caused by economic crises including loss of job, or bills being greater than available income.

False. Surprisingly, many homeless people do have cell phones. For some, phones are provided by family members who are worried about them and want to be able to stay in touch. Some receive a few dollars of assistance from various programs that require them to check in on a regular basis. With public pay phones being largely a thing of the past, cell phones are a necessary lifeline for the homeless connecting with service agencies as well as trying to find employment.

False. Many have family members who worry about them. Some homeless people, especially women, have children living with them.