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This weekend, the Marietta Daily Journal published an insightful piece on homelessness in our community, featuring interviews with two incredible organizations, the Center for Family Resources and MUST Ministries. The article is factual, realistic, and provides a much-needed look into the challenges our local homeless population faces—from the complexity of homelessness statistics to the availability of shelter beds. However, while the article presented valuable insights, the responses from some readers left me feeling frustrated and disheartened.
These responses seemed to stem from a lack of understanding about the reality of homelessness, particularly as it pertains to veterans and others who have served our country. I had a choice: I could either feel defeated by the ignorance or step up and make a change. I chose the latter. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into some hard truths about homelessness and why telling someone experiencing it to "get a job" is far from a realistic solution.
The Point-in-Time Count (PIT) and Why It Matters
For those unfamiliar, the Point-in-Time Count (PIT) is an annual survey that attempts to measure homelessness across the country. Volunteers conduct this count at the end of January, gathering important data to help shape future policies and allocate funding for homelessness programs. This count is particularly relevant in Georgia, where it typically takes place through the end of the month.
Nationwide, there were a record 771,480 experiencing homelessness in January 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That number represents an 18% increase from 2023.
In its annual homelessness report to Congress, HUD noted that the biggest increase was among families with children, which saw a 39% increase year-over-year.
Though I’m not a fan of the PIT count’s method of relying on self-identification, it’s still the primary metric used by the government to assess homelessness—and it directly impacts federal funding to states with homeless populations. Look out for my upcoming post, where I’ll go deeper into the flaws of this system and why the numbers you hear about homelessness just don’t add up.
The "Just Get a Job" Mentality: A Problematic Approach
Let’s talk about the popular, yet misguided, advice: “Just get a job.” This sentiment is often thrown around without considering the complex obstacles homeless individuals, especially veterans, face when trying to get back on their feet. It's important to understand that the very first step toward employment in the U.S. is having identification—things like a state-issued driver’s license, Social Security card, or passport. Without these, you can’t even fill out the paperwork for a job application.
But here’s the catch: the vast majority of homeless individuals don’t have these documents on hand. To get them, you need an address, which many people experiencing homelessness simply don’t have. And if you can somehow manage to provide proof of identity, you still need to pay for the necessary paperwork and documentation, all while navigating the red tape of bureaucratic processes that require knowledge, transportation, and community resources—things that are often out of reach for those struggling to survive.
The Hidden Struggles: Health, Hygiene, and Stability
It’s not just about documentation. Think about the additional barriers that make finding and maintaining a job incredibly difficult: mental and physical health challenges, a lack of access to hygiene facilities, no clean clothing to wear, and—perhaps most importantly—a stable place to sleep at night. How can someone focus on a job if they don’t have a safe place to rest or the basic necessities of life?
It’s easy to sit back and assume that someone could just “get a job,” but the reality is far more complicated. While I understand the value of hard work, my own father—a veteran who instilled a strong work ethic in me—would be the first to recognize that securing employment is only a small part of the much larger process of recovery for anyone, veteran or civilian, experiencing homelessness.
Changing the Narrative: What Can You Do?
If you’re reading this and feeling either inspired or upset, good. This is the starting point for change. The next step is taking action. You can:
Do your own research: Understand the true scope of homelessness, its root causes, and the struggles people face.
Donate time and resources: Contribute to organizations who are working tirelessly to make a difference. Watch for my next post titled Danger, Danger, street giving!
Engage with your community: Talk to your local political or religious representatives about ways you can help. Volunteer opportunities, food drives, and shelter programs are always in need of support.
Remember: Homelessness doesn’t go away by pretending it doesn’t exist. The question we all need to ask ourselves is: What are we doing to solve the problem?
The Bottom Line: Where Should Homeless People Go?
While it’s easy to say you don’t want homeless individuals in your neighborhood or local shopping center, the real question is: Where should they go? If you don’t have an answer, are you willing to take responsibility for their basic needs—shelter, food, warmth, and hope? Because if we truly want to solve this issue, it starts with understanding the challenges and helping our fellow citizens overcome them—not by offering dismissive advice like “just get a job.”
Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that demands compassion, action, and long-term solutions. It's time we step up as a community and demand real change. Let’s stop pointing fingers and start providing the help that’s needed.
P. S. Get your tickets to United Military Care's red carpet premiere of No Address.
P. S. S. It can happen to anyone.