At Nest Community Shelter, we know that education leads to understanding, and understanding leads to meaningful change. This post is intended to live our commitment to dispelling misconceptions about individuals experiencing homelessness in La Porte County.
Statistics Tell the Story: The Working Homeless in Indiana
Let’s start by saying this myth is simply not true!
The reality of working homelessness in Indiana is stark and often full of misconceptions. So, let’s set the record straight. National data from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness indicates that as many as 40-60% of people experiencing homelessness in the United States have a job, but housing remains unaffordable because wages have not kept up with rising rents. We see this situation almost daily at Nest Community Shelter and Nest La Porte. Individuals are working, but affordable housing is just out of reach. This employment rate among homeless individuals demolishes the misconception that homeless people don’t work or don’t want to work.
For comparison, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 64.2% of the total U.S. population worked in 2023. This means that neither population has a 100% employment rate. When looking at the immense challenges those experiencing homelessness face, the fact that the number is as high as it is shows that these individuals are working to improve their situation. This also demonstrates the tremendous strain they find themselves under. Imagine trying to do a good job at your place of work while you don’t know where you’ll lay your head that evening.
The 2023 Point-in-Time Count from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority recorded 4,398 individuals experiencing homelessness across the state —an increase of 710 people compared to the previous year. Here in La Porte County, we see this reality firsthand through our work with families and individuals at our shelters. The need continues to grow within La Porte County. We opened Nest La Porte; we knew there was a need there. Since opening in early January, we have sheltered no less than six individuals nightly in this new emergency shelter. The need within our county continues to grow, as our internal data shows year over year.
The Economic Reality: Wage Stagnation and Housing Costs in Indiana
Earlier this week, we discussed the myth of choice of homelessness, but in reality, it is an illusion of choice perpetuated by the affordability gap for Indiana’s minimum wage workers. We see this gap continuing to grow at an alarming rate. According to the “Out of Reach” report published in July 2024, Indiana’s “housing wage” (the amount needed to afford a two-bedroom rental unit) has increased to $22.07 per hour – a stark $3.07 increase from just one year prior. Meanwhile, the average Hoosier renter’s wage only grew by $0.06 during the same period, now standing at $17.92 per hour.
These statistics paint a troubling picture of housing affordability in our region:
- At minimum wage ($7.25 per hour), Hoosiers must work 122 hours weekly to afford a standard two-bedroom apartment (Based upon Fair Market Rate two-bedroom apartment in Indiana (valued at $1,148)
- In Michigan City, that same apartment will cost $1,151, and in La Porte, that apartment will cost $1400.
Barriers to Maintaining Employment While Homeless
Our last month’s blog series highlighted numerous obstacles homeless individuals face while maintaining and obtaining employment. As a reminder, here are some of the most common barriers we see at Nest Community Shelter. These barriers create a vicious cycle that can be extremely difficult to overcome without assistance:
- Transportation Challenges Lack of reliable transportation remains among the most significant barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness seeking employment. Many jobs are not accessible by public transportation, especially for night shifts. While we do have public transportation in Michigan City, the schedules can be varied, and there are times when the buses don’t run, leaving those who depend on this transportation stranded.
- Identification and Documentation Issues Individuals experiencing homelessness often struggle to maintain essential documents required for employment. Many of our guests frequently lack a safe place to store important documents like IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards, which can be lost, stolen, or damaged by the elements when they are unsheltered. Without these documents, securing and maintaining employment becomes extraordinarily difficult. Often, one document is needed to secure the next, and when a permanent address is not present, this only further complicates this situation, which requires specialized support to solve.
- Lack of Childcare. For families experiencing homelessness, access to affordable childcare presents an enormous challenge. Homeless parents often work evening or overnight shifts when childcare is often not available, or this specialized care often costs significantly more. The cost of childcare is often out of reach for individuals experiencing homelessness. There is also the fear that childcare facilities learning of the unhoused situation for the family. These issues present a significant obstacle for working parents who are experiencing homelessness.
- Address and Communication Barriers Employers typically require a permanent address and reliable contact information. Without a stable address or consistent phone access, homeless individuals face significant hurdles in the application process and in maintaining communication with employers. These seemingly simple requirements become major obstacles for people without housing stability.
- Stigma and Discrimination As we explored in our blog series last month, homeless individuals often face discrimination from potential employers. Employers’ reluctance to hire individuals experiencing homelessness is often based on misconceptions surrounding homelessness. If you’d like to learn more about this topic we encourage you to visit our blog post: The Employment Paradox: How The Stigma of Homelessness Can Create a Vicious Cycle
Changing the Narrative
The myth that homeless individuals don’t work is an ugly misconception rooted in biases and misinformation. The reality is that many people experiencing homelessness in La Porte County and throughout Indiana are employed but caught in challenging economic situations where wages don’t match housing costs, skyrocketing energy, medical, and food costs. By understanding and acknowledging this reality, our community can move beyond stereotypes and work toward solutions that address the true causes of homelessness.
