In the boardrooms and breakrooms of America, there is a silent epidemic hiding in plain sight. While the term "couch surfing" might conjure images of college students or minimum wage workers, the reality is more sobering. Millions of skilled, hardworking adults are forced to move from pillar to post, staying with friends, relatives, or at extended-stays because they cannot afford a place of their own. This is "hidden homelessness," and it has become an uncomfortable but urgent facet of today's workforce.
The Invisible Crisis: Homeless But Not Jobless
One can make too much money for public assistance, but too little to cover market-rate rent. Housing costs have outpaced income growth for years, even those with "good jobs" are not immune. The rental application process in Georgia has evolved into a complex financial gauntlet that swiftly pushes people into transitional living arrangements.
Let’s go apartment haunting! Our budget is $1,600 for a 1–2-bedroom apartment:
Upfront Fees:
- Application fee: $50-100 per application (non-refundable, even if denied)
- Administrative/processing fees: $150-300
- Security deposit: $1,600 (equivalent to one month's rent)
- First month's rent: $1,600
- Last month's rent: $1,600 (increasingly common)
- Utility connection deposits: $200-500 (electric, gas, water, internet)
- Renter's insurance: $200 annually
Total upfront cost: $5,700-$6,200 (and rent is due again in 30 days or less)
For someone earning Georgia's average salary, this represents nearly two months of gross income or three months of take-home pay. Even if they saved 10% of their monthly income (which is ambitious, when rent consumes half their paycheck), it would take 15-17 months to accumulate those funds. All while, continuing to pay reoccurring monthly expenses.
Rent Is Too Expensive, BUY A HOUSE!
With Georgia's median home price ranging between $380,000-$420,000 homeownership remains equally elusive. Workers would need approximately $78,000 annually to comfortably afford a home, yet the median salary falls short. This creates a cruel paradox: while monthly mortgage payments for a median priced home seems manageable for some, the upfront costs and credit requirements present insurmountable challenges to purchasing a home.
The Underutilized Safety Net
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) - Although employers provide EAPs, benefits offered typically focus on mental health and substance abuse support. Does your employer offer housing or credit-building resources? Are the programs adequately funded? Do employees know they exist? Financial wellness offerings usually discuss budgeting in an academic way, rather than providing real solutions for housing barriers.
Traditional HR policies assume housing stability, with dress codes, attendance requirements, and performance evaluations that don't account for high-performing employees managing housing instability. Few companies have policies addressing advance pay needs, emergency housing assistance, or flexible arrangements during housing transitions.
Address Benefit Gaps by Investing in Stability
Employers have a growing opportunity and obligation to address financial wellness as a core part of employee support. Providing meaningful financial education, credit-building resources, flexible pay options, and emergency assistance can stabilize lives and improve performance.
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Financial Wellness Programs: Go beyond basic budgeting and provide support for credit counseling, access to affordable banking products, and guidance on navigating the housing market.
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Flexible Pay and Emergency Support: Explore earned wage access, short-term loans, or housing stipends for those in crisis.
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Partnerships with Local Support Services: Link employees to reputable housing, legal, and credit counseling resources as part of your benefits ecosystem.
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Normalize the Conversation: Train HR leaders and managers to spot signs of housing instability with empathy and create a culture where employees feel safe seeking help without fearing stigma or retribution.
The question facing Georgia's business leaders isn't whether housing instability affects their workforce, it's whether they'll recognize this reality and respond with meaningful support systems.
Author: Ericka Cameron-Carr
Sources
Georgia - Census Bureau Profile Data from 2019- 2023 is presented, information for 2025 was not available at the time this article was written.
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