In the District, writing down a home address can be the most difficult part of a job application for some people. Without a home address, employers have a difficult time reaching applicants. For some individuals, writing down the address of a shelter on a job application prevents them from becoming employed. Shelter addresses are well known to D.C. employers and can cause some employers to make assumptions about their applicants. Some people living in D.C. shelters have experienced discrimination because of their address, while other individuals have been the recipients of discrimination because of their status as a person experiencing homelessness.
“They will not hire you”
Timothy Witcher describes the difficulties associated with using a shelter address on a job application. Witcher recounts being denied a job because of his address.
“The positions had been filled”
Marie Wills recounts an experience she had applying for a retail position. Wills discusses the hiring manager’s reaction to her being homeless.
“Not having an actual address”
Robert Warren discusses the correlation between housing instability and unemployment. Warren talks about the discrimination some people face from potential employers while experiencing homelessness.
“Because I stay at 425 2nd Street”
Alonzo Johnson describes his worst job. Johnson recalls being let go from this job largely because of his address at a shelter.
“Hundreds of people have used this address”
Jamal Francis talks about how the address of his shelter is well known to D.C. employers. Francis describes the impact this address has on his employability.
“425 2nd Street or 801 Martin Luther King Avenue”
Monseur Alli discusses homelessness as a barrier to employment. Alli discusses the danger of putting down a shelter address on a job application.