UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness occurs when people or households are unable to acquire and/ or maintain housing they can afford. There’s a wide range of reasons why someone might be homeless. A person may be employed and still be able to experience homelessness due to not being able to afford housing and or working, but in poverty. People who are able to work, but under-employed or unemployed. Individuals who are unable to work due to being physically or mentally ill.

EMPLOYED, BUT HOMELESS?

Some people who are employed and can afford most of the things they need, could still be homeless. Although these individuals are receiving income, the income they receive could not be enough to afford them proper housing. In 2022 the average cost of rent in the city of San Diego was between $2,187 to $3,570 while the minimum wage to date in California is $14 an hour for companies with 0-25 employees and $15 an hour for companies with more than 26 employees. With a lack of affordable housing available to these individuals, despite having jobs that pay above or minimum wage, people run the risk of becoming homeless when living paycheck to paycheck.

ABLE TO WORK BUT UNDEREMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYED

Someone who is able to work but is experiencing a personal hardship or an economic hardship such as job loss or chronic unemployment, because of a system wide suffering economy is also a reason why someone might be homeless. A personal hardship can be a natural disaster, domestic abuse, divorce … This group of people could require additional supportive and health services and need support getting back into the workforce.