STREETZine
OCTOBER EDITION 2023
Offering financial opportunity to homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals. STREETZine is a program of The Stewpot and a member of International Network of Street Papers
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People Experiencing Homelessness Need Livable Wages By Wendy Rojo The American dream is what people seek here in the United States, the land of opportunity and riches. However, reaching these opportunities comes with a number of challenges. For example, a formal college education is encouraged in part because it can lead to a lifetime of higher earnings. But college is not the only path a person can take to reach the American dream. An associate degree or technical training can help individuals become culinary artists, auto mechanics, and drug counselors, to name just three wide-ranging types of employment that do not require a four-year degree. Here at The Stewpot, we see clients pursuing these types of degrees to gain work that they find personally and financially rewarding.
Artwork by Stewpot Artist Donald of Dallas. In fact, the National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that a person needs to make at least $25 per hour to afford a two-bedroom rental home in Texas. Even if someone is working full-time and making minimum wage, it is difficult for them to succeed. That can lead to food insecurities, housing insecurities, or medical uncertainties.
In fact, the National Low Income Housing Here at The Stewpot, we see clients pursuCoalition reports that a person needs to ing these types of degrees to gain work that make at least $25 per hour to afford a twothey find personally and financially reward- bedroom rental home in Texas. ing. But even if a person does get hired, the state of Texas has a set minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If a person is working full time at 40 hours, and making $7.25 per hour, that translates into $290 per week or $1,160 per month. That amount is before any deductions. Earning a minimum wage in Texas cannot cover those housing costs plus daily expenses. If you look for apartments or houses for rent in Dallas, you will notice that prices start at around $900 per month. Earning a minimum wage in Texas cannot cover those housing costs plus daily expenses.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness has found that those who are homeless face four main challenges when searching for a job: discrimination, logistics, accommodations, and hiring. Discrimination may arise when employers require a permanent address. Logistics may present a problem if a job-seeker lacks access to the proper facilities to prepare for a job interview. And accommodations may not be offered if an individual has an existing disability. What local organizations and the larger society can do is provide the tools a person may need to get the job interview and ultimately the job. For example, Workforce Solutions launched the Income Now program to assist people who are experiencing homeless-
ness. The organization helps them find ways to finance their housing needs, guides them through the hiring process and maintain their employment. Organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area likewise assist people applying and preparing for jobs.. For example, caseworkers at the Stewpot support their clients by helping them get all the documentation that jobs usally require. The Stewpot also partners with Streetside Showers to provide showers to clients twice a month along with hygiene items and clothes. Still, we must address the issue at the core and that is that the minimum wage has not risen while the cost of living has skyrocketed. Still, we must address the issue at the core and that is that the minimum wage has not risen while the cost of living has skyrocketed. We all want people experiencing homelessness to find meaningful work, but the ultimate aim is work that provides the means to afford an apartment, pay bills, buy food, and pay for transportation. Wendy Rojo is managing editor of STREETZine.