The ‘typical’ representation of homelessness portrayed in the media was a common thread that underlined many discussions over the two days. Often, the depiction of homelessness focusses on the image of a single male, sleeping rough, and disheveled in appearance. Studies have shown that this is the traditional view of homelessness perceived by the public and reiterated in media.[1] Homeless organisations often use this image in campaigns or fundraisers; it is successful in grabbing attention, creating an emotive response, and getting attention on the topic in the media.[2]

This is not to suggest that the images of representation are untrue or dishonest, but this singular image does not represent the broad experiences of homelessness and hidden homelessness experienced by thousands of people in Ireland each year.

So what is the Issue?

It became clear at the conference that the dominance of this image affects people in homelessness who cannot locate their experience in these images. This issue arose at three of the workshops at the conference:

• Roundtable on Youth Homelessness
• Young Women Experiencing Homelessness
• LGBTIQ Youth Homelessness

Discussions showed that homeless organisations and supports across many countries have over-relied on this single emotive image of homelessness. As such, there is a significant risk that we fail to show that organisations supporting those experiencing homelessness are inclusive, and by omission exclude those who do not fall within that image of homelessness.

People within these groups experiencing homelessness did not see themselves within the services provided by homeless organisations. As an extension of this, they qualified their experiences (such as being forced to sleep in their car) as something other than homelessness, as they did not fit into the standardised image of the rough sleeping lone man.

Because of this, women, young people, and members of the LGBTQI+ community in need of housing support were less likely to engage with homeless services, making them more liable to experiences of ‘hidden’ homelessness.

A failure to provide inclusive visual (and structural) representation drives people into hidden homelessness and deprives them of support.

Women in Homelessness: Riikka Tuomi spoke of her personal experience of homelessness, as she took extreme measures to avoid emergency homeless accommodation such as entering dangerous relationships. Riikka spoke of emergency homeless accommodation, but never saw it as an option; it was a service for men. Despite an ongoing struggle to find accommodation and other necessary supports, Riikka mentioned that she did not see herself as homeless for a long time.

Research shows that women are more inclined to avoid emergency homeless accommodation through periods of hidden homelessness either because they feel unsafe to do so, or because they do not see that as an option for genuine support. This often can force women to enter into unstable and potentially abusive relationships to cater to their housing need.[3]