Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Burnout Is Not Inevitable: Supporting Our Homeless Services Workforce 

Every day, people working in homeless services show up for others — offering housing support, crisis intervention, emotional care, and often, hope. But showing up takes a toll on caregivers.

The emotional weight of the work, paired with limited resources and increasing need, is stretching this workforce to its limits.

Uncertainty around funding, policy shifts, and growing community needs only amplify this pressure. Staff may be asking themselves: Will my program be here next year? Will my work still make an impact?

This kind of stress isn’t sustainable. And it shouldn’t be normalized.

We must care for the caregivers.

One of the most powerful tools we have is time — time to rest and reset. Whether it’s a full vacation or just a personal day to recharge, stepping away from the intensity of service work is necessary.

What Employers Can Do:

Encourage (and normalize) time off. Create a culture where using vacation or mental health days is seen as smart, not weak.

Build flexible time policies. Give staff agency to take leave when they need it most, not just when it’s convenient.

Create backup structures. Staff won’t take time off if they worry everything will collapse in their absence. Crosstrain teams and plan ahead.

Be transparent. Honest, regular communication can reduce anxiety and build trust.

For example, our agency is currently running a Wellness Challenge, and more than half of the staff are participating. Employees choose their own goal: walking daily, meditating, or even drinking enough water. A Teams chat is helping keep us connected and cheering each other on. 

We are also encouraged to use our paid time off — vacations, personal days, mental health days. And to use our paid volunteer time in the community and/or lend a hand at a partner agency. Everything from working on community gardens to packaging free meals to sorting school supplies. 

What Caregivers Can Do:

Take the time. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to take vacation. It rarely comes.

Check in with yourself. If you’re noticing increased irritability, exhaustion, or detachment, those are signs to rest.

Speak up. Let leadership know what would help you feel more supported.

This Work Is Too Important to Burn Out

We know the impact of what people in the homeless services sector do. Keeping families safely housed. But to keep doing it, we need to protect the people who make it possible.

Everyone deserves a safe place, a break when they need it, and support to thrive.

The post Caring for the Caregivers appeared first on Strategies to End Homelessness.