ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the negative perceptions of homelessness held by the public, service providers, and government officials. This stigmatization is inextricably linked with the toxic charity model embraced by service providers and city officials. The toxic charity model argues that people must work for what they are given, or they will become dependent. Even people who are experiencing homelessness stigmatize others who are in the same situation. In a country that promotes the American Dream, in which hard work is thought to lead to success, it is easy to stigmatize people who are not succeeding.
