Homelessness worker
Also known as: homelessness guidance worker, housing options and advice worker, homelessness social worker, homelessness support worker, homeless care worker, homelessness case worker
About this occupation
Homelessness workers provide on-the-spot assistance, counselling and advice to people who have housing problems or live on the streets. They present them with services available to homeless people starting from hostel vacancies to financial aid services. They may have to cope with persons with mental health problems, addictions or victims of domestic or sexual abuse.
A specialisation of social worker.
Essential skills and knowledge
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- build helping relationship with social service users
- tolerate stress
- handle conflicts
- provide social counselling
- follow health and safety precautions in social care practices
- accept own accountability
- manage social crisis
- develop professional network
- have computer literacy
- social sciences
- demonstrate leadership in social service cases
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other (O*NET 21-1099.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
US median pay: US$56,730 a year (2025), 107,730 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.