Homelessness and employability
Background
The Glasgow Homeless Network study of 2006 reported that 66% of homeless people interviewed had previously worked, with 68% stating they would like to work. Despite this high level of aspiration only 8% of interviewees were actually in work. The reasons for this are manifold ranging from the structural in terms of the barriers created by the benefits system to the attitudinal in terms of fit with lifestyle and stigma attached to homelessness and working ability. On a personal level, lack of work experience or recent references, no or low skills or qualifications, and the low self esteem that accompanies homelessness can be a major cause of keeping people experiencing homelessness at a distance from the labour market.
Surveys undertaken by homelessness organisations regularly show that clients often have multiple needs in addition to their homelessness.
One agency found that more than a third of its clients had at least 2 additional support needs relating to, for example, mental health and substance use issues.
The health and well-being of homeless people is consistently below national averages. In a 2009
study undertaken by the University of Glasgow in a sample group of Greater Glasgow Health Board patients the average age of mortality for homeless women was 37 compared to 51 if housed, and 42 for a homeless man as opposed to 54 if housed.
People experiencing homelessness clearly face a multitude of additional barriers when attempting to move closer towards the labour market and the journey towards it can be, for some, a long and, at times circuitous route.