The Stigmatization Against Houseless Employment

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There’s a common misconception that the houseless community is lazy; that they could easily get out of their predicament if they actually went out and got a job, but they’re choosing to remain on the streets and beg for money. Disregarding the idea that a person would willingly choose to beg with the slim chance that they’d get more money than working at a stable job, there are several barriers put in place that seem to stigmatize those in the houseless community.

Most employers require applicants to put forward a home address, or just a mailing address in general, as part of their contact information. Not only does this barrier show the discrimination employers have towards those in the houseless community, but it’s also effectively a catch-22. If a houseless individual needs a mailing address, they’ll need money, but they can’t earn money unless they gain employment, but they can’t get employment if their employer requires a mailing address, etc. etc.

In addition to that, there’s the discrimination they face due to issues with mental health, a lack of an education and work skills, and, in some instances, even having been houseless in the past. It might seem like a ridiculous statement, but a lot of these barriers seem based on the misconception that being/having been houseless is an indicator of inherent laziness. 


Sources:

https://backpacksforthestreet.org/why-dont-homeless-people-just-get-jobs/ 

https://socialinnovation.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Homelessness-and-Employment.pdf 

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Employment.pdf 


Published by: Alex Ehlers

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