The Reality of Homelessness in Taiwan: Breaking Stereotypes and Providing Support for the Vulnerable

1. “Homelessness stigma”
2. “Employment assistance for homeless”.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Homelessness has long been stigmatized, with many people believing that it only affects those who are down on their luck or have unidentified disabilities. However, recent movies have tried to dispel these stereotypes by shedding light on the various reasons people become homeless. Despite these efforts, the understanding and acceptance of homelessness still have a long way to go. Some people still view the homeless as lacking motivation, being lazy, or simply looking for a handout.

Chen Yen-chang, a social worker with The Salvation Army in Taiwan, rejects these biases when it comes to Taiwan’s homeless population, which is estimated to be around 3,000 people, accounting for only 0.013 percent of the country’s population. In comparison, the United States has a homeless population of 0.19 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the relatively low number in Taiwan may make the problem easy to overlook, Chen emphasizes that people experiencing homelessness come from all walks of life, and their predicaments are real. Many of them face financial difficulties that lead to other issues.

Chen gives the example of a highly educated family of five who ended up homeless due to the collapse of the domestic textile sector. The family, consisting of parents in their 70s and three children in their 40s, once ran a successful textile factory. However, with their property foreclosed and debts piling up, they found themselves on the streets seeking shelter around Taipei Main Station, where many homeless people gather as a community. This family’s story is typical of the vicious cycle that homeless individuals face. They struggle to overcome circumstances beyond their control, which leads to psychological issues and further challenges in seeking help.

While some homeless individuals in Taiwan have physical or mental disabilities that prevent them from securing their own living, most of them actively seek out work. However, their employment is usually limited to menial jobs that others avoid due to personal limitations and social circumstances. For example, a 72-year-old homeless man, Ah Hung, wakes up early in the morning to work multiple labor-intensive jobs. He does this to ensure financial stability and because he prefers to receive cash payments rather than having money wired into the bank, as it allows him more control over his finances.

According to Chen Ying-jie, the project manager at the social enterprise Do You a Flavor, delegating jobs to homeless individuals not only provides them with financial stability but also helps other individuals, such as hoarders, who need assistance in cleaning their residences. However, for many homeless individuals, having a good work ethic may not be enough to overcome the instability that plagues them. They often face daily challenges such as finding a place to live, dealing with medical emergencies, or handling legal responsibilities. Many of them struggle to think ahead and can only focus on day-to-day problems.

Chen Yen-chang believes that destigmatization is crucial in addressing homelessness. He emphasizes that it is not that the homeless don’t want to work, but rather they face difficulties in finding employment due to the stigmas associated with their situations. Changing the status quo and providing more help to the homeless requires a better understanding of the psychology behind homelessness. The general public needs to see members of the homeless community as deserving of assistance, even if they are physically able to work based on traditional norms.

To combat the challenges faced by homeless individuals, some doctors in Taiwan have taken to the streets to provide basic medical care. Volunteers, like doctors Fu Yi-kai and Huang Sheng-yang, work with the Charitable Service Association’s street doctors initiative to provide medical assistance to the homeless population. The doctors spend approximately three hours on their days off treating around 10 to 20 homeless individuals in the area. Homeless people often avoid medical institutions due to various reasons, such as concerns about their hygiene being criticized or difficulties in describing their conditions. The street doctors aim to establish trust with the homeless population and provide them with the care they need.

Overall, addressing homelessness requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond employment or monetary support. Destigmatization is crucial in changing the perception of homelessness and encouraging more help for the homeless population. Additionally, providing basic medical care and building trust with homeless individuals can help address their health needs and improve their overall well-being. By understanding the complexities of homelessness and showing compassion, society can work towards finding long-term solutions for this issue..

1. Fighting homelessness: Destigmatization and support for job seekers
2. Volunteer care and destigmatization in fighting homelessness.