Politicians and the media often seem to focus on the costs of homelessness as these expenses relate to taxpayers. But there are hidden costs in homelessness to the unhoused individual that many officials don’t often consider.
Homelessness can adversely affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life. Not only are unhoused people more likely to become victims of a crime, they are also more likely to suffer from ill health and have difficulty finding better-paying jobs.
Their situation makes it harder for them to get the other federal, state, local and community-funded services that might be available to them. These services are often necessary to improve their lives and, in most cases, are fundamental in helping the unhoused end their current situation.
Unmet Needs
When we consider that between 40% and 60% of people experiencing homelessness have jobs, it can be difficult to understand how an unhoused but employed person might slip through the cracks.
While a low minimum wage and the high cost of housing are certainly issues that need to be addressed, some unhoused people also face other issues with regard to employment.
Some homeless individuals may be working under the table and are being exploited because they don’t have the proper state identification they need to search for better-paying on-the-record jobs. Many homeless people also have restricted access to the internet because they have to use public library computers, which limits their ability to search for jobs.
In addition, many unhoused people don’t have a permanent address to put on a job application, which can disqualify them from consideration.
The lack of proper identification also means that these homeless people have a difficult time applying for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and enrolling in affordable healthcare plans under the U.S. Affordable Care Act.
And even if the unhoused individual has an ID, there is still a matrix of programs they may qualify for that are difficult to understand. For example, many homeless families may qualify for assistance through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) system but are unsure how to maneuver through the environment.
Filling GAPS
At TORCH, we have developed a Gathering Assistance to Provide Service (GAPS) program to help homeless individuals and families with a plan toward self-sufficiency.
The GAPS program is funded solely by donations and works collectively with other agencies to help meet the needs of clients who may need something as simple as $12 to get a state-approved photo ID. The program also helps TORCH advocates work directly with HUD case managers or directors with other service agencies. We want to ensure that the homeless person or family gets the immediate short-term assistance they need to overcome any barriers to permanent housing. The GAPS program provides this relief by working with grassroots organizations and other community assistance programs to see that these needs are met.
If you are a case manager or work within a program that helps homeless families and see a need that isn’t part of your agency’s scope, please give TORCH a call at (865) 318-4788 or contact us on our website. You will need to provide a detailed story of the need and request.