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The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

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II. Unemployment<br />

Employment and <strong>Homelessness</strong><br />

Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, July 2009<br />

This fact sheet exam<strong>in</strong>es the relationship between work and homelessness, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the contribution <strong>of</strong> unemployment, underemployment, and low wages to homelessness.<br />

It also assesses the employment barriers faced by homeless people, and strategies for<br />

overcom<strong>in</strong>g those barriers. A list <strong>of</strong> resources for further study is also provided.<br />

IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOW WAGES ON HOMELESSNESS<br />

In recent years, media reports <strong>of</strong> a grow<strong>in</strong>g economy and low unemployment mask a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> important reasons why homelessness persists, and, <strong>in</strong> some areas <strong>of</strong> the<br />

country, is worsen<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong>se <strong>in</strong>clude stagnant or fall<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>comes, and less secure jobs<br />

that <strong>of</strong>fer fewer benefits.<br />

Now, as the United States experiences the worst f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis s<strong>in</strong>ce the Great<br />

Depression, the homeless population has <strong>in</strong>creased significantly. <strong>The</strong> worsen<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Page 29 <strong>of</strong> 289

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