This month, we’re looking at our workforce development program. Some ask why people experiencing homelessness (PEH) don’t just “get a job.” The first problem with that question is that many PEH are already employed. A recent University of Chicago study found that more than 50 percent of PEH in homeless shelters were working, as well as 40 percent of the unsheltered population.1 The second is that others face steep barriers to employment—and that’s where our program comes in.
Why Don’t People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) Just Get Jobs?
In a 2023 article titled “Why Is It So Hard for People Experiencing Homelessness to “Just Go Get a Job?,” the Urban Institute lists common barriers that prevent PEH from finding and keeping work. These include health and mental/behavioral health conditions, racial discrimination, lack of fixed address, lack of a birth certificate or other ID, lack of transportation, lack of childcare, and lack of professional attire. The Institute concludes that, “people experiencing homelessness may have greater difficulty obtaining employment, completing transitional employment programs and job training, or pursuing education compared with people who are housed.” We help them over these obstacles.
What Does BEDS Do?
Like we describe above, many of our clients are already employed. Our workforce development program helps the unemployed find jobs and current workers find better ones. The versatile program can help clients:
- Regain identification and other documentation
- Develop resumes
- Assist with job searches
- Prepare for interview preparation
- Support transportation to and from interviews and job sites
Sometimes it’s little touches that make the difference: giving someone an hour alone with a laptop to flesh out their resume, coaching them through that classic “where do you see yourself five years from now” interview question2; or providing $75 to help buy weatherproof work boots. Once employed, our clients may join Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, and federal housing programs, which have added work requirements. A job alone doesn’t guarantee a home, but with our shelter and housing programs, new workers can reach independence.
How Can I Help?
You can support people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness who are seeking work by making a financial gift, in-kind donation or by volunteering.
1 Which is absurd for people experiencing homelessness, who have often lived week-by-week, if not day-by-day. In social science speak, they have shorter “time horizons”e.g.) the length of time for which they can make reasonable predictions, plan, set goals, etc. In the worst situations, they cannot think past where they will find their next meal or where they will spend the night.
2 The sad truth is that employment doesn’t guarantee housing. Our clients include hard workers who cope with the additional physical and mental demands of homelessness. But like we cite ad nauseum, the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual Out of Reach Reports consistently find that a minimum wage employee cannot afford housing anywhere in America.