Data collected from the Point-in-Time Homeless (PIT) Count showed 4,244 individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023. Two-thirds are male.  Veteran homelessness increased over 20% from 2022, Youth homelessness increased 18% and Family homelessness increased 15%.  The good news is that chronic homelessness is down from last year.

The average apartment rent in Dallas is $1,378 for 714 square feet (Apartments.com, August 2024).  That's out of reach for a person experiencing homelessness.

1. Many employers would never think of hiring a homeless person.

2. Most employers require addresses.  

3. Many employers do credit screenings on potential employees.  Being homeless is a credit score killer.

4. Many employers won't hire people with criminal records, and it's very easy to be arrested when homeless.

5. Many employers assume homeless people are addicts.

6. Many homeless people don't have reliable phones.  If they do, they might not always be able to charge their phone.

7. Most employers require grooming, but it's very difficult to find showers and have clean clothes (especially clean underwear) when you're homeless.  Haircuts are a luxury and so is makeup.

8. They're tired.  Some use drugs to stay awake, because they are scared of violence if they fall asleep, or they are afraid of their possessions being taken.