How Minimum Wage Impacts Homelessness

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Minimum wage is a very controversial topic in our society, with some people believing the current minimum wage to be too high for “low effort” jobs while others believe it should be raised. When looking at what the minimum wage should be, it is important to consider the cost of living in an area. For example, minimum wage in Portland, Oregon is $14.75 per hour, with it increasing to around $16 per hour in July 2023. The average cost of living in Oregon is $42,055 per year. There are many factors that affect how much yearly income a person has, but someone who makes minimum wage would not be able to afford to live in Oregon, at least not without working multiple jobs. This is why homelessness is such a prevalent issue in Oregon, specifically the Portland-Metro area.



                Many consider homeless people to be victims of their own actions, when in reality they are victims of circumstances such as low minimum wage. People cannot afford to maintain stable housing if they cannot afford to pay rent every month. People should not have to work multiple jobs just to be able to survive. Not only is this an unfair idea to believe, but it also suggests that those who work minimum wage jobs don’t deserve a decent wage.

Minimum wage jobs are typically those that help society survive the way it currently does. Janitors, fast food employees, and grocery store clerks are all examples of minimum wage employees who are important to the functioning of society. These jobs are all accessible, which is why the pay needs to increase. Accessible jobs should be able to support people without the fear of not being able to eat. Homeless people should be able to get these jobs, but there are some roadblocks that need to be remedied before they can properly apply for jobs.

                Most jobs require a home address or phone number for the application process, which are not things most homeless people have. Providing temporary housing for homeless people would provide them with the opportunity to apply for and get jobs that could possibly change their future. Increasing minimum wage would only further this impact, and it would also benefit society overall because many companies have been struggling with staffing issues ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming increase in Portland’s minimum wage will help bridge the gap between minimum wage and cost of living, but it most likely won’t be enough. Change can only be initiated if people put in the effort. Creating petitions and organizing protests help the government see how the people feel, and would also be effective in starting the process of raising minimum wage. The National Coalition for the Homeless is a non-profit organization that wants to end homelessness and solve any immediate problems homeless people are experiencing. They have multiple articles and resources relating to the issue of income and employment when it comes to homeless people, and they do a really good job at explaining why employment can be difficult for homeless people.





Brett Bates Winter 2023

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