By Jeffrey Glenn Jones

There’s a common idea that people who are homeless just don’t want to work. But when you actually look at the numbers, that assumption doesn’t hold up.

A 2021 report from the Urban Institute found that more than half of adults experiencing homelessness reported having some kind of job or income from work. Many are in part-time, seasonal, or gig roles that don’t pay enough to afford rent, especially in expensive cities. For example, in Washington, D.C., a full-time minimum wage worker would need to work 87 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

At the same time, the national unemployment rate was just 3.9% as of February 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That tight labor market means businesses are struggling to fill positions, especially in service industries. Homeless job seekers, if supported properly, could help fill these labor gaps.

Programs that offer both housing and employment support have shown real promise. A study by the Corporation for Supportive Housing found that people in “housing-first” employment programs were 20% more likely to get and keep jobs than those without stable housing. That’s

not just a social win, it’s also an economic one. A report from the University of North Carolina estimated that investing in housing and job training for homeless individuals can lead to $2.50 in public savings for every $1 spent, thanks to reduced reliance on emergency services, shelters, and the criminal justice system.

The truth is, many unhoused people are already working or trying to. They just need better support to break the cycle. Ignoring that potential isn’t just harmful to them, it’s a missed opportunity for the broader economy.