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Labor Market Attachment and Perceived Barriers to Work among Homeless Families

Author

Listed:
  • Nour Abdul-Razzak
  • John Eric Humphries
  • Stephen Stapleton
  • Winnie van Dijk

Abstract

We study labor market attachment among homeless families using baseline survey data from a large-scale study in Illinois. Of homeless parents, 40 percent worked in the past month. Among those not working, most report wanting and actively searching for a job. When asked about barriers to employment, parents overwhelmingly cite childcare constraints, lack of housing, lack of transportation, and family responsibilities. Health problems or skills deficits are mentioned far less frequently. The nature of these barriers—each associated with upfront investments—suggests that homeless families lack the initial financial resources needed to obtain stable employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Nour Abdul-Razzak & John Eric Humphries & Stephen Stapleton & Winnie van Dijk, 2025. "Labor Market Attachment and Perceived Barriers to Work among Homeless Families," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 103-107, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:103-07
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251007
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • R38 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Government Policy

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