As an intern at Daily Work, I’ve seen many barriers that job seekers face, but few are as fundamental as access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Housing is at the base of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and for good reason. It’s nearly impossible to focus on job applications, interviews, or career planning when you’re unsure where you’ll sleep next week. Beyond the emotional and psychological toll, unstable housing can create practical hurdles, too, like not having a reliable address to list on a resume or a place to receive important mail.

For immigrants and refugees, these challenges often multiply. Many face limited credit history, language barriers, and little familiarity with our complicated rental systems. The result is a constant cycle of uncertainty that makes finding and keeping work far more difficult than it should be.

At Daily Work, we know that stable housing isn’t just a comfort, it’s a cornerstone of long-term, sustainable employment. To help meet the growing need in our community, we’re thrilled to now host two AmeriCorps Housing Navigators, Jennifer and Omar, who work directly with job seekers to find safe, stable homes and connect them to essential resources. 

Recently, Jennifer helped a job seeker and her daughter find a new apartment (pictured). Shortly after settling in, the job seeker also found a new job. Stories like theirs show how vital housing stability is to employment success — and how Jennifer and Omar are expanding our capacity to respond when housing insecurity threatens someone’s ability to move forward.

Yet, as funding for housing programs gets cut or reduced, more job seekers are left without the support they need to get or stay housed.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Donate directly to Daily Work to support flexible funds that help job seekers cover rent, security deposits, or transportation costs.
2. Advocate for inclusive housing policies that serve immigrants and refugees, regardless of status.
3. Volunteer your skills. Assist job seekers, connect them to housing or employment resources, or share professional expertise.
4. Partner with landlords or housing providers who are open to renting to people rebuilding their lives.

At Daily Work, we believe that employment creates opportunity... and housing provides the foundation on which those opportunities can grow. When our community invests in both, we not only change individual lives, but also build a stronger, more equitable Minnesota for everyone.

Nick Abraham is a graduate student in social work at St. Mary’s University and longtime AmeriCorps program leader. He currently directs the Minnesota Grow Your Own Teacher program and brings experience in career development to his internship at Daily Work. Outside of work, he enjoys backpacking, playing Magic: The Gathering, and spending time with his family and dachshund, Rosie.