Why don't the homeless? (Portland, Donald: job market, minimum wage, tax)

[silverwolf67]

Why don't the homeless just get jobs in Portland? I'm sure there are people who are on drugs and have mental illnesses, but what about the one's who don't? I constantly read about how there is such a bad homeless problem and I think to myself why don't they just work a temp job like Manpower, or work menial jobs to have some money to save? Is the employment situation there so bad that even McDonald's and other average minimum wage jobs aren't hiring?

It's difficult for me to understand,because if I were in that situation I'd take any job! Maybe it's hard for the homeless to get jobs there? But if that were the case I'd think because the people were so used to seeing homeless people begging and wandering that employers would be happy to give a decent homeless person a job. Am I mistaken?

[ccjarider]

While your question is very troll-like. I will bite.

From what I can tell, there can be a good living by "not working" in this town. You can get your meals for free, your lodging for free, your telephone for free, some medical care for free and further - what cash you do make by begging is tax free.

I do not like this attitude but in Portland, not being a contrnbuting member of society is generally accepted.

It is always interesting to me when I see the beggars talking on smart phones. It happens a lot!

[belmont22]

Have you ever considered that many of the homeless here might not actually be from here? Our winters are somewhat mild so if you're homeless here, you're less likely to freeze to death.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by silverwolf67

It's difficult for me to understand,because if I were in that situation I'd take any job! Maybe it's hard for the homeless to get jobs there? But if that were the case I'd think because the people were so used to seeing homeless people begging and wandering that employers would be happy to give a decent homeless person a job. Am I mistaken? [/font]

Completely.

In a competitive job market (which Portland is, particularly in the low-skill, low-wage jobs), why would an employer even consider an applicant without a stable address, without a stable work history or contact number? Too many other applicants out there.

[silverwolf67]

Originally Posted by ccjarider

While your question is very troll-like. I will bite.

From what I can tell, there can be a good living by "not working" in this town. You can get your meals for free, your lodging for free, your telephone for free, some medical care for free and further - what cash you do make by begging is tax free.

I do not like this attitude but in Portland, not being a contrnbuting member of society is generally accepted.

It is always interesting to me when I see the beggars talking on smart phones. It happens a lot!

I'm not a troll , but rather trying to understand the employment and homeless situation there. I hold nothing against the homeless because everyone's situation is different. Although begging is tax free.. It's gotta hurt the pride and soul just to get the basics.

[silverwolf67]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Completely.

In a competitive job market (which Portland is, particularly in the low-skill, low-wage jobs), why would an employer even consider an applicant without a stable address, without a stable work history or contact number? Too many other applicants out there.

So the temp agencies don't have general labor jobs for the average Joe? And the shelters there must not provide stepping stones for the homeless to transition into employment?

[belmont22]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Completely.

In a competitive job market (which Portland is, particularly in the low-skill, low-wage jobs), why would an employer even consider an applicant without a stable address, without a stable work history or contact number? Too many other applicants out there.

Exactly. It infuriates me when right wing/social Darwinian types scream "let them eat cake" when it comes to the poor. They don't understand how hard it is to get a job, if you don't have connections and a place to start from. What, being asked for a few cents once in a while inconveniences your life so much?

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by silverwolf67

But if that were the case I'd think because the people were so used to seeing homeless people begging and wandering that employers would be happy to give a decent homeless person a job. Am I mistaken?

Employers don't even like to hire people with housing if they've been unemployed for any length of time, let alone someone who might be mentally ill, lack the facilities for good personal hygiene, not have a fixed address for job-related correspondence, or be on drugs. There are certainly young people in Portland who opt for the homeless lifestyle out of some misguided romantic notion or plain laziness, just as there were when I lived in San Francisco, and I have no sympathy for them. But many homeless people get locked in a downward spiral from which it's hard to climb out. And with the unemployment rate so high, employers can be very choosy and want employees with a solid, recent work history, not to mention a presentable appearance.

[belmont22]

Originally Posted by silverwolf67

So the temp agencies don't have general labor jobs for the average Joe? And the shelters there must not provide stepping stones for the homeless to transition into employment?

They help but it's still hardly a guarantee.

[Minervah]

It is very difficult to get a job if you don't have an address. Enployers will think you are a transient and will not hire you.
Also jobs at places like McDonald's are very difficult to come by because there is a tremendous competition for them. There are many people looking for work who are either unskilled or do have skills but those skills are not in demand.

The long and the short of it is that there are just too many people chasing after too few jobs.

Where do you live? If you lived in Portland you might have a grasp of the situation. Many people from outside like to criticize without understanding the situation.