Homeless Myth: True or False
Myth 8: Homeless people don’t work and are lazy.
It is not true that homeless people do not want to work.
Many individuals and families are homeless because of a economic, health or relationship crisis and not by choice. In fact, in 2010, 14% of individuals experiencing homelessness in New Jersey (HMIS data) reported that they were currently working and an additional 6% were collecting unemployment benefits.
And for those experiencing homelessness who are working, New Jersey is a very difficult to find an affordable apartment in New Jersey. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2010 Out of Reach Report, in order to afford rent and utilities, without paying more than 30% of income on housing, a household must earn $4,215/month or $50,577/year.
Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks/year, this level of income translates into a Housing Wage of $24.32. And as we know, there are many full time jobs that do not pay that high of a wage.
Employment training and education are critical support services to provide to those experiencing homelessness. In Connecticut, the HomeWORK Project, coordinated by the Corporation for Supportive Housing, assists supportive housing providers with removing barriers and connecting their supportive housing tenants to employment. Click here to read more about HomeWORK.
To read our posts on all of the myths about homelessness click here.
Do you have a homeless myth that you would like for us to analyze? If yes, click here to send an email.
We encourage you to share your comments about the homeless myths on this page or on our Facebook page.
Monarch Housing Associates
Building Homes
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Article by Kate Kelly
Kate Kelly joined Monarch Housing Associates in March of 2011. Prior to that, she worked for seven years at the Partnership for Strong Communities in Hartford, Connecticut as the Reaching Home Campaign Manager. Managing the statewide effort to end long-term homelessness, Kate effectively implemented statewide advocacy campaigns to fund over 700 new supportive housing units for individuals and families. She has experience directing fundraising events and presenting federal and state conferences. At the Partnership, she educated state and federal legislators and staff about supportive housing homelessness issues and advocated for new funding sources. She has also developed public forums that led to formal policy recommendations and educated local constituencies such as policymakers, legislators and funders. Ms. Kelly received her B.A. in government from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S.W from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Click here to send Ms. Kelly an email.
Kate has written 958 awesome articles.
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