Overview

Deficit-based language focuses on what people lack rather than what they possess. Instead, use specific asset-based, people-first language when discussing income inequality to avoid emphasis on lack of resources and negative connotations associated with terms such as “at-risk,” “poor,” or “low-class.” 
 
Asset-based language, such as “students striving to overcome a threatening culture and graduate,” emphasizes aspirations. 
 
Use specific language to address the quality or lack of housing or length of time without housing. For example: “students experiencing homelessness,” “people who are homeless,” “people in emergency shelter,” or “people in transitional housing,” rather than calling people “the homeless.” 
 
Avoid language about social class and race or ethnicity by using slang language like “inner city,” “hood,” “projects,” or “ghetto.” Specify race or ethnicity and measures of socioeconomic standing separately: “low-income African American families in urban Chicago.” 

What to Say and What Not to Say

Say ThisNot ThisHere's Why
  • Below poverty level 
  • Low/high income 
  • Low/high socioeconomic status 
  • Informal developments or dwellings 
  • Economically disadvantaged 
  • Economically oppressed 
  • Resource challenged 
  • Financially insecure 
  • Income-related 
  • Displaced (instead of homeless) 
  • Unhoused 
  • Unsheltered 
  • Under-resourced 
  • Under-privileged 
  • Income disparity 
  • Shelter disparity 
  • Housing insecurity 
  • Under-employed 
  • Disadvantaged 
  • Ghetto, barrio, the projects, slum, hood 
  • Less fortunate 
  • Low/high class 
  • Poor/rich 
  • Welfare-reliant (Or any terminology using the word “welfare") 
  • The homeless 
  • At-risk 
  • Impoverished 
  • Minority  
Words can be harmful. All of these older terms should be left in the past with histories rooted in inequities.


Resources

The resources below shaped the guidance above. Please explore below to learn more.​