Fair Wages are the Best Way to Reduce Homelessness

By: Ryan Kennedy

Thursday, May 29, 2025

The economic landscape of Portland, Oregon is not sufficient to provide a decent life for most people and as a result, homelessness is increasing. In fact, when considering the masses of homeless across the United States, the majority of them are unable to provide for themselves. Even through decent hard work, a stable income of this sort is not enough in Portland to pull themselves from poverty and immiseration. So what exactly is to be done? Surely it's the case that homelessness should be solved. Maybe you're a cruel economist and can only consider values such as GDP growth or stock market increase, or perhaps you're a social justice advocate who promotes equitable economic and business outcomes. In either case, reason and decency must prevail if this tremendous and avoidable issue is to be solved.

So what is the casual factor when it comes to homelessness? We are told that America is the land of opportunity and that the homeless simply need to work harder, yet for many people, including those with jobs, the American dream has not manifested. Is it merely the case that *all* homeless are degenerate *reprobates* with no chance of salvation? No, surely this cannot be the case, as there are too many counter-examples. Many homeless people in fact *do* have jobs, yet experience homelessness anyway. A study from the University of Chicago helps to demonstrate this point: "Despite how many people experiencing homelessness work, a job doesn’t solve everything. Life-sustaining wages are a key determinant of housing security; however, most people experiencing homelessness are not earning enough to afford rent."

We must always remember that the homeless are people just like you and I. Consider a Hispanic man who fled violence in his native country to reach merely survival status in America. Does he not deserve a chance at a decent life? Here there are two contradictions at play: a hard working immigrant who's struggling and can't make it *and* simultaneously saying that America is the land of opportunity for all. We must live up to our values as the land of opportunity and provide a decent life for all, including the homeless. The best way to do this is the provide fair wages for those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. 

If you wish to get more involved, reach out to your local representatives and petition the government to pursue fair wage policies:

Contact your state government representatives to discuss fair wages and affordable housing for all. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/house/Pages/RepresentativesAll.aspx

Share your opinion about the need for fair wages and affordable housing with Governor Kotex

https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx

Contact Portland’s elected officials and discuss solutions for solving the affordable housing and homeless crisis in Portland.

https://www.portland.gov/help/contact-elected-official