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Warm Weather Job Opportunities for the Unhoused
- HHCS Staff
- May 1
- 3 min read
As temperatures rise across many parts of the U.S., so do warm-weather employment opportunities. Depending on the type of work, these seasonal jobs range from just a few hours of day labor to longer-term jobs lasting several months.
Depending on the location, climate, and your comfort level, the working conditions for jobs in the warmer seasons of spring, summer, and fall can be more comfortable than in the winter.
Warm weather jobs include house painting, sign holding, window washing, distributing flyers, working with animals, and, of course, recycling bottles and cans.
For a person experiencing homelessness, these short-term jobs can be more than just a way to earn money. They can lead to a fresh start. Even day labor gigs can help you rebuild your reputation if you commit to the work. While there's no guarantee of permanent employment, some temporary jobs might lead to repeated work opportunities. Many people with positive work histories return to the same seasonal jobs year after year.
Some seasonal jobs are highly competitive, while others are easy to get. Although finding work can be more challenging for the unhoused, there are organizations that can help with skills assessments, job training, and placement.
Day labor jobs are physically demanding and usually take place outdoors. Sometimes, these are the easiest seasonal jobs to find, and workers are often hired and paid on the same day. These jobs typically include construction, fruit picking, harvesting, yard work, moving, hauling, warehouse and hardware store labor, and post-event clean-up.
If you don’t have reliable transportation to and from work, consider looking for a seasonal job that includes free or low-cost housing. Some of these jobs even include meals. Seasonal indoor jobs in hospitality include dishwashers, bussers, housekeeping, guest services, etc. Resorts and national parks, for example, often offer free or low-cost on-site housing to their employees. Outdoor seasonal jobs include trail crews, brush clearing, and even mule wrangling.
Some campgrounds offer free campsite space, water, and/or electricity in exchange for work. This arrangement is also known as workamping. Some locations have banned it, though.
Churches, food banks, shelters, drop-in centers, and homeless coalitions often have resources for job seekers experiencing homelessness. Some agencies even specialize in job placement for day laborers, although sometimes you can just show up at a day labor jobsite and start working that day.
You can also try Craigslist.org and search for gigs, then labor. Just be aware of potential scams.
Successfully completing seasonal jobs can be a great way to rebuild your reputation and give you a sense of accomplishment, so you can continue to work toward lifting yourself out of poverty and homelessness.
For more information, refer to our other blog post: “Job Opportunities for the Homeless: Programs and Services to Rebuild Careers.”
RESOURCES:
Job Training and Placement Assistance:
Goodwill:
Salvation Army:
Catholic Charities:
Online Job Boards:
ZipRecruiter:
American Job Centers: Call 1-877-US2-JOBS
Veterans:
Veterans' Employment and Training Service:
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program:
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV):
Nation’s Finest:
Warm Weather Jobs with Free or Low-Cost Housing:
CoolWorks:
Xanterra:
Xanterra Corporate Office
6312 Fiddlers Green Circle
Suite 600 North
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-600-3400
Aramark:
Occupation Wild:
General:
For information about resources in your area, call 211. Or visit https://www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211. Then, enter your zip code in the search bar and click on “Search for resources online.”
Findhelp:
Visit https://findhelp.org/ and enter your zip code to search for resources.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)
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