8. Social Work

Social Work is not easy work. Yet, Social Workers play a critical role within the homelessness sector, particularly in relation to supporting individuals who have complex needs. Often when an individual experiences chronic homelessness, that is ongoing over time without resolution, it is related in some way to challenges in their lives. These challenges may be related to mental health and/or addictions, an inability to hold consistent employment, or difficulty carrying out the tasks of maintaining housing, such as paying rent. Social Workers often constitute the support network for people who may otherwise be dissociated from family and friends. Although they deal in the mundane – providing help with meeting the basic necessities of life – the importance of their roles cannot be overstated.