John Oliver wants to redirect your alarmist misperceptions about America's homelessness problem

There are at least 580,000 people in the U.S. experiencing homelessness — probably lots more — and that steadily rising number is expected to grow a lot in the next four years, John Oliver said on Sunday's Last Week Tonight. "With this rise in homelessness has come a corresponding rise in the rhetoric around it," and not just from the usual suspects.
"I know it is easy to criticize Fox News for being alarmist — alarmism is their whole thing," Oliver said, showing a clip from the Texas capital. "But the truth is, even some residents of Austin, famously a blue dot in a red state, have said it's been a struggle to reconcile their feelings about their homeless neighbors." And Austinites are hardly alone.
"The story of homelessness in this country is grounded in a failure of perception compounded by failures of policy," Oliver said. "And like so many things, the modern version of this issue was turbo-charged by Ronald Reagan," who not only cut programs for the poor and slashed housing subsidies but also helped convince lots of people "that homeless isn't related to economic policy" but rather personal failings and choices.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Over the past 13 years, local governments have criminalized everything from loitering to living in cars, "so when you hear fearmongering about rising crime among the homeless, it's worth asking yourself if those crimes were actually crimes — or just someone sat down," Oliver said. The way to solve homelessness is to give people homes, but NIMBYism is a real problem, everywhere.
"If you're wondering why homelessness continues to get worse in this country, one reason is that there are a lot of people — even liberals — who believe that homelessness is a personal failing, poverty can be avoided, and their own good fortune not only makes them better than the unhoused, but more worthy of comfort," Oliver said. "It is basically Reagan's attitude from a Whole Foods crowd."
The big thing Oliver said he wants viewers to remember is that we need "a collective change of perceptions," where we stop believing "the unhoused are a collection of drug-addict criminals who've chosen this life for themselves instead of people suffering the inevitable consequences of gutted social programs and a nationwide divestment from affordable housing." But he seems resigned to the idea you'll mostly just get that "Raining Tacos" song stuck in your head.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
And the Oscar goes to … no one in particular: Movies made with AI can now win awards
Under the radar Generative AI is no longer a barrier to acclaim
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance – no end of sumptuous objects at the King's Gallery
The Week Recommends The splendour of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra is on display at Buckingham Palace
By The Week UK
-
Kevin Warsh: the man who could replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair
In the Spotlight Powell's term ends in 2026, and President Donald Trump will likely replace him
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffs
Speed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacks
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US