In the month of March, we are taking a deep dive into the issues surrounding homelessness and employment.
One of the most significant yet often overlooked barriers to employment for individuals experiencing homelessness is something many of us take for granted: a mailing address. This seemingly simple requirement creates many obstacles that can prevent qualified individuals from obtaining employment and, ultimately, housing stability.
The Address Paradox
The lack of a permanent address creates what many service providers call “the address paradox”: one needs an address to get identification, identification to get a job, and a job to afford housing with an address. This circular problem keeps many individuals in a frustrating cycle that is difficult to break without skilled support.
Most employers require a physical address on job applications for several practical reasons: to verify identity, send tax documents, conduct background checks, and communicate with employees. When an applicant cannot provide this basic information, the application process often stops immediately. Even online applications typically have address fields marked as “required,” creating an immediate barrier before a person can showcase their skills and qualifications.
The Identification Challenge
The address requirement extends far beyond the job application itself. Government-issued identification—essential for employment paperwork like tax forms—requires proof of residence. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, the majority of homeless individuals report that obtaining identification is one of their most significant obstacles to receiving employment, benefits, and services.
For those experiencing homelessness, documentation is frequently lost, damaged, or stolen. Even when identification documents exist, they often display a previous address that is no longer valid. Replacing these documents requires both money and, ironically, proof of residence—creating yet another seemingly insurmountable barrier. The costs associated with replacing identification can be substantial for someone struggling to meet basic needs, with state IDs in Indiana costing $9.00 and birth certificates between $10 for the first replacement, with additional copies costing $4.00 each.
Stigma in the Way of Stability
Beyond the practical paperwork challenges, the absence of a permanent address sends unintended signals to potential employers. When employers notice inconsistencies in address history or recognize a shelter address, many develop concerns about an applicant’s reliability, stability, or commitment. While these concerns may not be voiced explicitly, they can significantly impact hiring decisions.
Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that the stigma associated with homelessness often leads to discrimination in the hiring process. Employers may make assumptions about a person’s character, work ethic, or reliability based solely on their housing status—judgments that have nothing to do with their qualifications or ability to perform job duties.
Breaking the Cycle: How Nest Provides Solutions
At our Nest, we understand that addressing this fundamental barrier is crucial to helping our guests achieve self-sufficiency. Our guests work closely with case managers and community partners to address the paradox and navigate the complex systems that can seem overwhelming.
Through community partners, Nest’s guests can connect to a stable mailing address and can use this address for job applications, government correspondence, and other essential communications. This seemingly simple service removes one of the most immediate barriers to employment. Providing a non-stigmatized address allows our guests to apply for jobs without immediately disclosing their housing situation, allowing them to be evaluated on their qualifications rather than their circumstances.
Our case managers are trained to navigate these systems efficiently, helping guests gather necessary documentation. This is a critical step in the lives of our guests obtaining stability.
A Call to Action
While our programs and partnerships within the community help many individuals overcome these barriers, systemic changes are needed to truly address this issue. Employers can help by evaluating their application processes to determine whether an address is truly necessary at the initial stages. ID replacement services could be streamlined for those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, community members can support organizations like ours that work daily to break down these barriers.
What seems like a simple requirement, having an address, creates complex challenges for individuals experiencing homelessness. By understanding these barriers and working together as a community to address them, we can help qualified individuals secure employment, achieve self-sufficiency, and ultimately find stability in housing. At Nest Community Shelter, we witness the power of this approach every day as guests overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and rebuild their lives one step at a time.
