Today, I saw a city government vehicle emblazoned with the department/unit to which it belongs: “HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM” or as it’s known by its acronym, “H.O.T.” That department/unit was created approximately a decade ago, which may have been long before widespread umbrage was taken with the word “homeless”.
Those who are offended by or take exception to the word, and instead prefer terms such as “people experiencing temporary homelessness”, would an appropriate change of the department/unit name be: “People Experiencing Temporary Homelessness Outreach Team” (P.E.T.H.O.T.)?
“If you've never experienced it . . . then you have no right to an opinion.“
Just for clarity’s sake, I am not the “you” referred to in your answer. I do know that it means the general you, and that it doesn’t address me specifically nor individually. I just want others who read this to know it too. I am not one of the people who find fault with the word homeless, nor do I think its new replacement is better.
Slartibartfast 