Why is it hard for someone who is homeless to get a job?

Why is it hard for someone who is homeless to get a job?

Many people experiencing homelessness want to work. A steady job can be the first step to independence.

But for someone without a home, there are big barriers standing in the way.

  1. Need ID. You can’t get a job without identification to prove your right to work. But when you’re homeless and moving from place to place, it’s easy to lose those vital documents. Replacing them is rarely simple – it’s a slow, complicated process that can keep people locked out of work.
  2. Interviews cost money. When you’re struggling to cover the basics, finding cash for a smart outfit or the tube fare to get there feels impossible. It puts people experiencing homelessness at an instant disadvantage before they’ve even had a chance to show what they can do.
  3. Need the tech. Most jobs are now posted and applied for online, and remote interviews and home working have become standard. But if you don’t have access to a laptop, phone, or Wi-Fi – or the confidence to use them – you’re shut out before you even start.
  4. Stigma is real. A YouGov poll found that 40% of employers were unaware that it’s legal to hire someone homeless. They also admitted they would likely fire an employee if they became homeless.
  5. Lacking job readiness. Being out of work for a long time can leave you without the skills to get started. Things like writing a CV, preparing for interviews, or even the confidence to walk into one. You could be brilliant at the job, but without support to get past that first barrier, it’s tough to get a foot in the door.
  6. Employment gaps and missing references. Explaining gaps in your CV or having no former employer to vouch for you can force people to explain their period of homelessness – something they shouldn’t have to do. The focus should be on whether they can do the job, not their past.

Our in-house employability programme helps the Londoners we support tackle the barriers that keep them out of work. We build skills, boost confidence, and get people ready to land their next job. We also work with employers to break the stigma around homelessness and show what this talent pool can really do.

For the Londoners we support, a job is more than a pay cheque – it’s a chance to rebuild their lives. And you won’t find a more driven group of people.

Everyone deserves a place to call and the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Homelessness is an experience, not a forever.