Frequently Overlooked

The frequently overlooked signs of homelessness are those signs that are not of people, their things, or the places they stay. Rather they are the subtle messages from the dominant society that inform homeless individuals, either directly or indirectly, of whether or not they are welcome in a particular area of town. The majority of these signs carry an unwelcoming message that could just as well read, "homeless persons not welcome here."

What might these images have to do with homelessness?

A wooden bench with metal divider.

A highway overpass with a metal fence blocking off the flat, level, and driest part of the bridge.

A "no loitering customers only" sign at a downtown convenience store.

A "no public restrooms" sign painted on a the glass of a brand new corporate building.

A "no camping" sign in a small urban park where most recreational campers would never consider camping even without the sign.

A port-a-potty oddly placed away from any construction sites or parks in a neglected part of the city.