Employment and Employability

Many community members stated that a "homeless" person faces overwhelming obstacles to finding regular employment. Some informants have no professional skills, little or no work experience, are illiterate or functionally illiterate, and have not finished high school. Others have prison records, which usually makes it difficult to find employment. Some interviewees have physical health problems or mental illnesses that interfered with their ability to be employed. Many community members felt that employers were unwilling to hire them, and a couple of people expressed resentment that Mexicans who do not speak English would be hired before they would. One street person said, "A lot of employers won't give people a chance." He felt that lack of transportation to work is a big barrier. He also commented that homeless people lack job opportunities because "they don't have the right clothes." He consistently does odd jobs whenever he has the opportunity and believes that, eventually, someone will come along who will give him a chance. Another man, who sometimes finds temporary work and sometimes panhandles, said he couldn't find regular work because "a lot of businesses don't want to take a chance on a homeless person, 'cause when they ask you, they want your address, and you have no place to give." He remarked, "[I]f you don't have an address, employers assume a prison record, or addiction to drugs or alcohol. They think homeless guys won't be capable of filling the position. Employers will come up with a lie and say the position has been filled. A lot of people want a chance but they won't give them that chance." A young woman in her late 20's, had almost no job skills and had worked at a regular job once but for only two weeks. An older man who was interviewed disclosed a long history of alcoholism. He ran away from home at age 14 and has spent a lot of time in county and federal jails for crimes committed under the influence of alcohol (mostly car thefts and driving under the influence). He became a member of Alcoholic Anonymous and has been sober for over six years, but has still been unable to find a job. He mentioned many obstacles to employment such as a driver's license and a car and said, "The application itself is a boggle."

Social Networks, Friendships, and Family Ties

Back to TOC

Transportation