THE CRUELTY OF CALLING THE HOMELESS, "UNHOUSED."

 I was watching one of the dozen or so shows with "Law and Order" in the title and I heard a reference to the homeless as "unhoused." I decided that I had to have a look at what this was all about. Here is what I found.

The shift from "homeless" to "unhoused" aims to reduce stigma, emphasize structural causes rather than personal failures, and separate the lack of a physical building from a person's broader sense of community.

https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/unhoused-and-homeless-whats-the-difference/

To reduce the stigma? I think that ship has long passed. I firmly believe "unhoused" is to make us all feel better about these homeless people. "Unhoused" has no negative connotation.

DEFINITIONS

Let us have a look at the root word: "house" versus "home."

A house is a physical, tangible building or structure meant for human habitation, while a home is an emotional and personal space defined by belonging, comfort, family, and memories

https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/what-s-the-difference-between-a-house-and-a-home

So let us think about this "unhoused." It means that these people have no physical structure to live in, but they may have an emotional and personal space defined by belonging, comfort, family, and memories?

In general parlance, "home" carries with it "the residence where we live, our domicile, our dwelling as well as the social unit formed by a family living together and a familiar, usual setting, and congenial environment."

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home

I do not see any meaningful rationale for not continuing to use the word "homeless." Of course, the advocates for change, for the sake of change, might start using "unhomed."

SOCIAL SCIENCE USAGE OF HOUSE

My background is social psychology and research of course is part of my experience. Plus, as a senior, I have the time to answer a multitude of survey from Ipsos and the like.

I notice that almost all surveys ask about residences. In general, surveys and thus social scientists (for example, psychologist, sociologist, political scientist, social psychologist, etc.) make a clear distinction among

single family house or dwelling

apartment

condominium apartment

Duplex

townhouse

So you might ask, "what is the point" about telling you this social science distinction.  Well, first of all, social scientist provided a lot of the push to force the term "unhoused" as official Further, it is that social scientist are using apartment, condominium apartment as not being part of their definition of "housed." Thus, "unhoused" MUST refer to anyone who does not live in a "single family house or dwelling" or "townhouse"

Hence, the "unhoused" includes those who live in apartments, condominiums, shelters, dorms, hotels, rooms, tents, trees, cardboard boxes. There is no lexical foundation for the use of "unhoused" to refer to the homeless.

"Homeless" signifies as Webster dictionary indicates "the residence where we live, our domicile, our dwelling as well as the social unit formed by a family living together and a familiar, usual setting, and congenial environment." It is a home these poor souls are in need of.

So all I have written is stupid to you. What is the problem with using the unemotional "unhoused" rather than "homeless." It is problematic because it tries to hide the tragedy that is homelessness, a tragedy that all of us should care about.

We soften words too much so people can ignore the hardship of others. Remember "COLLATERAL DAMAGE." Military and political leaders use this term to describe innocent men, women, and children civilians "accidentally" killed in a war. Yes, the use of "COLLATERAL DAMAGE" does remove the stigma, not from the victims or from their families, but from the uncaring Military leaders and their political bosses.

In the same manner, "unhoused" takes the stigma from the politicians and developers, not in any way helping the homeless.

We are surrounded by the homeless, not the unhoused. Please help the homeless!