Naive people underestimate hopeless situation of homeless

Anyone who pays attention can see the homeless population in Cedar Rapids is growing. Many people do not understand the hole homeless people are in. Naive people might question, "Why don't homeless people just go get a job?" They don't understand it is impossible for a homeless person to get a job.

In order to get a job you must fill out a W-4 form. To do that you need a state driver's license or state ID and a Social Security card. Most homeless people do not have those. Their possessions have been stolen or lost several times over. And it is difficult to get a Social Security card without having your state ID, and you can't get a state ID without any other form of ID.

Many jobs have some sort of dress code, which is difficult to adhere to when you only have one or two sets of clothes. And last, but not least, if the job is not close by, how do you get to it? A naive person's answer, "They take the bus." I hope you are aware that the bus does not always run. And it doesn't run after 7 p.m. so a second shift job is off the table.

My hope is that the city/state realize that there is an untapped workforce potential with homeless people, but they need help getting out of that hole first.

Mike Calahan

Cedar Rapids