America Is Pushing Its Workers Into Homelessness
By Joel Wong
This Opinion piece was published on the New York Times by Brian Goldstone on March 1, 2025. Brian is also the author of “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” forthcoming.
The phenomenon of the “working homeless” refers to individuals who maintain employment yet lack stable housing. This issue has been exacerbated by rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and insufficient social safety nets.
Current Statistics
In 2024, the U.S. recorded 771,480 homeless individuals, marking an 18% increase from the previous year and the highest number since records began.
California’s homeless population rose by just over 3% in 2024, totaling more than 187,000 individuals.
Employment Among the Homeless
A 2021 study from the University of Chicago estimated that 53% of individuals living in homeless shelters and 40% of unsheltered individuals were employed, either full or part-time, between 2011 and 2018.
Contributing Factors
Housing Costs: Escalating rents and property prices have made affordable housing increasingly scarce, especially in urban areas.
Wages: While employment rates may be stable, wage growth has not kept pace with the cost of living, making it challenging for workers to afford housing.
Social Support: Limited access to social services and affordable healthcare can push working individuals into homelessness, particularly when unexpected expenses arise.
To address the crisis of working homelessness, experts suggest:
Affordable Housing Initiatives: Investing in the construction and maintenance of affordable housing units to meet the demand.
Wage Policies: Implementing policies that ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living, such as adjusting the minimum wage and supporting workers’ rights to unionize.
Strengthened Social Safety Nets: Expanding access to healthcare, childcare, and other essential services to reduce the financial burden on low-income workers.
Addressing the working homeless crisis requires a multifaceted approach that tackles both economic and social determinants to ensure that employment equates to stable housing.
