Why Don't the Homeless Work?

70% of Utah's homeless tell Utah Stories in an informal survey that they would like to work. Ten percent tell us they could work very limited hours and twenty percent say they are currently unable to work.

Downtown Salt Lake City restaurant owners tell us they would like the give the homeless a shot and hire them and train them. Restaurant owners are struggling to keep hours because of their desperate need of employees.

What is preventing these two parties from getting together?

Government programs that currently prevent or punish the homeless from working. "If I were to take a job, there is a very good chance that when I return to my tent all of my things will be gone." said Cody. "I'd like to work, for sure I would like to take day jobs. It's just kind of hard because I need to somehow fit all of my belongings into a duffle bag." said Jared on the Nomad Alliance Bus.

Even Jonnie who is in her late fifties and suffers from some physical injuries that prevent her from standing on her feet long says she would like to work. "I could work a few hours a day. And most of the people out here would love to work. But we can't as long as the city won't grant us a piece of property where we can keep our belongings secure."

Currently there is no plan in place to help the unsheltered homeless to secure their belongings or take on gainful employment because there is no incentives for the homeless advocates in Utah.

The majority of homeless NGOs gain their funding based on "providing housing" or providing services to the homeless. Some unsheltered homeless tell me that they are told by case workers and advocates to "not work" and consider "getting pregnant", because then they can qualify and go to the front of the line for housing assistance programs and benefits." Working could result in a loss of food stamps and SSI and all case worker support and housing benefits.

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