The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

The working poor face many of the same daily life struggles as the nonworking poor, but
they also face some unique obstacles. Some studies, many of them qualitative, provide
detailed insights into the obstacles that hinder workers' ability to find jobs, keep jobs,
and make ends meet. Some of the most common struggles faced by the working poor
are finding affordable housing, arranging transportation to and from work, buying basic
necessities, arranging childcare, having unpredictable work schedules, juggling two or
more jobs, and coping with low-status work.
Housing
Working poor people who do not
have friends or relatives with whom
they can live often find themselves
unable to rent an apartment of their
own. Although the working poor are
employed at least some of the time,
they often find it difficult to save
enough money for a deposit on a
rental property. As a result, many
working poor people end up in living
situations that are actually more
costly than a month-to-month rental.
For instance, many working poor
people, especially those who are in
some kind of transitional phase, rent
rooms in week-to-week motels.
These motel rooms tend to cost
much more than a traditional rental, but they are accessible to the working poor
because they do not require a large deposit. If someone is unable or unwilling to pay for
a room in a motel, they might live in his/her car, in a homeless shelter, or on the street.
This is not a marginal phenomenon; in fact, according to the 2008 US Conference of
Mayors, one in five homeless people are currently employed.
Of course, some working poor people are able to access housing subsidies (such as a
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher) to help cover their housing expenses. However,
these housing subsidies are not available to everyone who meets the Section 8 income
specifications. In fact, less than 25% of people who qualify for a housing subsidy
receive one.
Education
The issue with education starts many times with the working poor from childhood and
follows them into their struggle for a substantial income. Children growing up in families
of the working poor are not provided the same educational opportunities as their middleclass
counterpart. In many cases the low income community is filled with school that are
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